ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Minister of Tourism John Maginley has appealed to the people of Antigua & Barbuda to “stand up” in support of the Beaches project, that he said, will bring in more that US $100 million into the country.

Maginley made the comment on the Snakepit show on Saturday.

The Beaches Resort project once again came to the forefront of discussion, as Maginley lobbied for the support of the nation.

“We have the opportunity to produce a position that will benefit this country so that more people can be employed and Antigua can be promoted in an international market more,” the tourism minister said.

Maginley stated that Antigua & Barbuda has an opportunity to take part in the multi-million dollar development, whilst there is a lull in hotel development throughout the Caribbean.

“The fact is, there is very little hotel development money going on in the Caribbean today; very little. We have somebody who is willing to spend 100 million in Antigua and we are going to let a few people derail that?” Maginley queried.

“I say that Antigua people need to stand up … Antigua needs that development and it is for all of us.”

The tourism minister mainly attributed the opposition to the proposed four hundred-room development to political divisiveness,

He said: “There is a little bit of politics or a lot of politics in this. We need to put that behind us because the development of a hotel project is not going to benefit one party or the other, it’s going to benefit Antigua.”

Recently, at a public meeting, Finance Minister Harold Lovell called on nationals to decide in favour of development.

Hotel magnate, Gordon “Butch” Stewart has met with opposition on island as he seeks to develop a 400-room family resort at Long Bay. Stewart is the owner of the international Sandals and Beaches brands.

(More in today’s Daily OBSERVER)