Chukka pumping US$5m into Antigua adventure park

GRAND CAYMAN:

The Jamaica-based Chukka Caribbean Adventures will pump US$5 million (J$750 million) into a new adventure park in Antigua and Barbuda, that country’s tourism authority Chief Executive Officer Colin James says.

Chukka Chief Executive Officer Marc Melville signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Antiguan government two weeks ago to commence preparatory work at Fort Barrington, the entrance to the St John’s Harbour by year end.

Twenty per cent of the attraction will be owned by local Antiguans and 80 per cent by Chukka.

Addressing journalists at Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), James noted that between 50 and 75 people will be employed by the new attraction operators. Overall, 15,000 Antiguans are employed directly and indirectly to the hospitality and tourism sector.

Antigua is Chukka’s sixth Caribbean destination. The Jamaican group has its signatory zipline, horseback riding, ATV tours, in Belize, Turks and Caicos, Barbados, and the Dominican Republic.

“Antigua gets a good mix of cruise and land-based visitors and its populace is big on supporting all the experiences on the island. It’s a balanced destination for us to invest in,” said Melville.

Melville said they are eyeing three other Caribbean countries, but would not say which ones.

Excited about the prospects, the tourism authority CEO says the investment was extremely important for Antigua as it allows cruise ship and stayover visitors the opportunity to spend more. The attraction will carry a zipline that goes from the fort to the beach restaurant.

James is even more optimistic owing to the fact the country welcomed up to 700,000 cruise ship passengers pre-pandemic and is on a positive trajectory to repeat this, while homeporting by P&O UK is on track for 2023.