Innovative Destination of the Year: Antigua If there is a new capital of tourism investment in the Caribbean, it is most certainly Antigua and Barbuda, which has been attracting more new hotel deals and projects per capita than any other destination in the Caribbean, both major brands and new luxury developments. But Antigua and Barbuda also wins plaudits for its innovative, rapid response to Hurricane Irma. Even as Barbuda was still reeling from Irma, Antigua’s tourism officials quickly plotted their response to the storm, immediately jumping back into business, emphasizing its activity and showing the world just how resilient the Caribbean is. It’s the kind of innovation that doesn’t just build hotels — it rebuilds islands.