GOVERNMENT EYES HOTEL PROJECTS TO INCREASE LOCAL TOURISM OWNERSHIP

The government is looking at developing two new hotels, with about 150 rooms each.

Prime Minister and Finance Minister the Right Honourable Gaston Browne told the Browne and Browne Show on PBN on Saturday that it is part of a push to give Antiguans and Barbudans a greater share of the tourism industry.

Prime Minister Browne believes as much as XCD$60 million could be raised from public institutions to help get the projects off the ground.

Prime Minister Browne says he has asked ministers Rawdon Turner and Maria Browne to identify two major development projects for cabinet to consider this Wednesday.

Possible locations include the Jolly Beach area, where the government has already approached a private developer about working together.

The plan would bring public and private investors on board, with additional borrowing if necessary.

The prime minister says the bigger question is not just how many new hotel rooms are built, but who owns them and who benefits from the profits.