Durrant Pate/Contributor

Jamaica-based nature excursion company CHUKKA Caribbean Adventure is expanding to Antigua, as it continues its regional push to a sixth Caribbean territory.

The attraction will be set around Fort Barrington and will add to its company’s operations already in Jamaica, Barbados, Belize, Turks and Caicos and the Dominican Republic.

CHUKKA Caribbean is working with the government of Antigua and Barbuda and its Ministry of Tourism and Investments on a public-private partnership to develop, manage and operate a new “historical” eco-adventure attraction at Fort Barrington. 

The new attraction will be financed through both local and foreign investment. CHUKKA has extensive experience in developing tour products for the cruise and hotel industry and has been growing its business across the Caribbean. CHUKKA Caribbean’s entry into Antigua is very timely considering that the island’s new fifth cruise pier in St John’s will soon be welcoming the world’s largest cruise ships, creating the need for more supporting infrastructure. 

Stakeholders hailing the move

Commenting on the news, Antiguan Tourism Minster Charles “Max” Fernandez told Caribbean Journal, “We are truly excited about this potential partnership between Antigua and Barbuda and CHUKKA. We are always looking for world-class partners, and in this instance, based on their track record of developing Caribbean tours and attractions, we are excited to welcome this relationship with CHUKKA.”

“This new attraction will help support the exponential growth in guests expected at the new cruise berth,” added the minister.

For his part, CHUKKA Caribbean CEO Marc Melville remarked, “Fort Barrington is an amazing historical icon that needs to be polished and have its story told. Chukka, as a Caribbean-owned and operated company, loves identifying our region’s natural and historical beauty and unlocking it for the world to see.”

Continuing, Melville said that CHUKKA Caribbean is honoured to have been chosen as the development partner for this marquee historical nature adventure attraction.

“We look forward to working with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, the various ministries, and local partners/stakeholders to develop a world-class development at Fort Barrington,” he added.