Former Tourism Minister Elected Nevis Premier

One of Nevis' leading promoters of travel was named to the highest office in the small sister nation of dual-island St. Kitts & Nevis.

Mark Brantley—who served as Nevis’ tourism minister amidst an era of growing visitor arrivals—was sworn in Wednesday as the country’s premier following Monday’s victory of the Concerned Citizen’s Movement (CCM) over the Nevis Reformation Party.

In a message on his Twitter account, Brantley said “I am humbled to have been given the chance to lead as our island’s fourth premier. God bless Nevis.”

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Brantley received congratulations Tuesday from Dr. Timothy Harris, St. Kitts and Nevis’ prime minister. In a local news report, Harris said he has maintained “a long friendship and working relationship” with Brantley during the past 34 years. Bratley was responsible for an “unprecedented level of cordiality and cooperation” between the federal government in St. Kitts and the Nevis Island Administration,” Harris added.

Brantley is now the top elected official of what is not only one of the Caribbean’s smallest destinations, but one smaller even than its island twin, St. Kitts. At 36 square miles, Nevis is home to only 11,000 residents.

Yet Nevis’ lush natural surroundings, beautiful and intimate beaches and exclusivity are increasingly hard to come by in Caribbean destinations. The combination has placed it among the top Caribbean destinations for upscale travelers, blessed with distinctive four- and five-star resorts and deluxe villas and guesthouses.

READ MORE: How to Do Nevis the Right Way

The unprecedented success of the hip-hop flavored Broadway play “Hamilton” has also edged Nevis into the spotlight as the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, one of the most influential heroes and leaders of the American Revolution.

As Nevis’ deputy premier (with tourism in his portfolio), Brantley has emerged in recent years as a leading advocate for the country’s growing tourism sector.

“We have properties that appeal to a worldwide audience in terms of luxury and the niche that we occupy,” said Brantley in a 2014 interview with TravelPulse. “We still get people largely from the East Coast of the United States, and the profile is largely someone with strong disposable income. It’s not cheap.

“So we get a lot of celebrities, a lot of CEOs of major corporations and some U.S. presidents. I think they come and they keep coming back because they appreciate what we offer. They want an understated luxury and elegance so they can truly relax.”

Nevis visitors should also expect to explore the island.

“[Nevis] is so small that you can’t help but experience Nevisian culture,” said Brantley. "If you are someone who wants to interact with the locals and local people and culture, it’s almost impossible not to do that.”