Antigua and Barbuda is bullish on its tourism prospects, thanks in large part to a wave of new hotel developments.

That was the mood at this week’s Showcase Antigua Barbuda, the destination’s leading travel conference, which began with a large event at the South Point Antigua hotel.

“Our nation is on a positive path,” Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Asot Michael told attendees. “Last year our tourism air arrivals in 2016 were recorded at 265,187 – the highest ever figures for stay-over arrivals. We also celebrated a milestone of arrival figures from the US surpassing the 100,000 mark for the first time.”

That’s been buoyed by the debut of the new VC Bird International Airport, which has quickly risen to the top level of regional airports.

The burgeoning portfolio includes the soon-to-open Resort at Hodges Bay, a $50 million, 79-suite luxury resort; the planned Coconut Beach Resort, an Autograph Collection by Marriott; the Callaloo Cay, a Waldorf-Astoria resort and the Best Western, among others.

“These openings are just one part of the story of the exciting growth of Antigua and Barbuda,” Michael said.