Former chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA), Vernon Jeffers Sr, has voiced strong support for the government’s recent decision to invest in the tourism sector through the Social Security Board.
Speaking on _The Big Issues_ over the weekend, Jeffers—who also previously served as general manager of Jolly Beach Resort—described the move as a sensible and necessary step given tourism’s central role in the national economy.
“Well, my initial reaction from the moment I heard the Prime Minister make the announcement [was that] I fully support and endorse the idea,” Jeffers said. “At the end of the day, if tourism is ultimately our main industry, even from a government standpoint… the government and the people, on behalf and through Social Security, should also be willing to put their foot in and to play their role in carrying out such an investment.”
His comments come in the wake of confirmation by Prime Minister Gaston Browne that the Antigua and Barbuda Social Security Board had acquired Jolly Beach Resort, injecting capital to support the reopening of the long-closed facility.
The decision has sparked a national debate about the use of pension funds for commercial ventures, with critics warning of financial risks. However, Jeffers’ endorsement adds weight to the argument that strategic investments in the tourism sector could yield long-term benefits for the country.
Jeffers’ remarks are among the strongest public endorsements to date from a key tourism figure and highlight a growing consensus among some stakeholders about the need for bold measures to revitalise the sector.