Interview
E
Established in 2004, Global Ports Holding Plc (GPH) is the world’s largest cruise port operator with 21 ports in 13 countries which serve 14 million passengers a year. GPH took over operations at Antigua & Barbuda’s cruise port in November 2019 for a 30-year concession. Investing nearly US$50 million in the first year to upgrade existing facilities, including the creation of a pier able to host the largest Oasisclass ships to its berths, the plan is to continue making improvements to increase cruise visitor numbers and improve their overall experience. As chairman and co-founder of GPH, not only is Mehmet Kutman actively involved in business development at the company level, he also serves on the board of directors of several of Global Investment Holdings operating subsidiaries and affiliates. We caught up with Mehmet virtually to find out more about the company’s plans in Antigua and beyond.
ISSUE 8 • SEPTEMBER 2020
53
