Caribbean Times 87th Issue - Tuesday 31st January 2017

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2 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g Tuesday 31st January 2017 Risk management workshop begins By Joanna Paris Tourism continues to be the “life blood” of several countries across the region but with this also comes the reality of possible threats to border security. To this end, Antigua and Barbuda is the host of a critical five-day forum focused on risk management for tourism destinations. The workshop began on Editor’s Note Caribbean Times is printed and published at Woods Estate/Friars Hill Road. The Editor is Justin Peters. Contact: Caribbean Times, P.O. Box W2099, Woods Estate/Friars Hill Road, St. John’s, Antigua. Tel: (268) 562-8688, Fax: (268) 562-8685. Visit us online at our website: www. caribbeantimes.ag We ask you to send: Pertinent news items to news@caribbeantimes.ag. Advertisement inquiries to accounts@caribbeantimes.ag. Letters to the editor to editor@caribbeantimes.ag Monday and is taking place at the Grand Royal Antiguan Resort. Several representatives from local, regional and international agencies to include immigration and customs officers are attending the closed-door sessions. In delivering the opening remarks and setting the tone for the meeting, Director of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policer, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Croft, emphasized the significance of the meeting. “Over the next five days, you will be introduced to some of the fundamental elements of Tourism Security and I trust that we will all seize the opportunity to help to improve our tourism product; a product that Antigua and Barbuda can be proud of”, he noted. Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Development and Energy, Paula Frederick- Hunte gave the feature address on behalf of Tourism, Economic Development and Energy Minister, the Hon. Asot Michael. She called on the participants to engage in meaningful discussion that will result in recommendations that will further enhance the security of the region. “Take ownership of the process, buy into the drive to protect our shores and our tourism product. Put your best foot forward and learn all that you can, for it is only together that we can achieve our common goals”, she indicated. Programme Officer for the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute, Duccie Mazarese, said that cooperation and coordination are the keys to fighting border threats. “Coordination is a lot to do with legislation and protocol and also we cannot forget inter personal relationships. It is important to be able to work together. Let us use these couple of days to devise ways to improve the effectiveness of the safety and security of leaders”, Mazarese said. The meeting will conclude on Friday. cont’d from pg 1 (NCC) to ensure wider stake-holder involvement. A second recommendation relates to adding more questions to the list that will go before the electorate. “He has suggested that we should give consideration to adding a couple of ‘non-contentious’ issues to the CCJ. Initially, our position was that in order to get buy-in to this process that we should limit it to a single issue. However, if it is that we’re looking at a couple of non-contentious issues, we are willing to do so,” he stated. PM Browne noted that having gone this far, he would expect a full commitment from the United Progressive Party (UPP) that goes beyond whatever commitment comes from Spencer or Political Leader, Harold Lovell. “The commitment that we have had so far from Spencer and Lovell is insufficient and they would now have to provide some leadership, to take ownership of this process because what we are seeking is a bi-partisan initiative. It was never the intention of my government to go it alone,” Browne reiterated. The prime minister recalled that from the onset the aim was to involve the UPP as equal partners in this process. For his part, Spencer said his party’s position was always one for Constitutional reform with the CCJ included and this is still the position. He expressed a preference to see a holistic approach to Constitutional reform, but if it is that the government is seeking to have ‘non-contentious’ issues dealt with first, then he is prepared to discuss this with his colleagues in the party and to report a formal position on the issue ‘within a week or so’. He also suggested that there are others areas of the Constitution that need reform but which do not need a referendum. These, he believes, can be done by members of parliament.
Tuesday 31st January 2017 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 3 Antigua & Barbuda makes a significant impression on Cruise Executives during meetings in South Florida Three days of discussions and power-point presentations to cruise industry decision-makers in South Florida have left Antigua & Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, Honorable Asot Michael, “very encouraged” about the future of his country’s cruise sector. The Minister’s optimism follows his recent (January 25 th to 27 th ) visits to the South Florida meeting rooms of several cruise lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL, MSC, Holland America, Seaborne, and Princess Cruises. The Minister and his team also received valuable feedback from the Operations Committee of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA). In commenting on his meetings Minister Michael said, “The Cruise Executives and itinerary planners were impressed with our vision for improving how Antigua will be welcoming their ships and passengers, and their feedback has helped us to better understand their specific needs for achieving sustainable growth. “I am confident that we have developed the right masterplan, and it is now up to our Government to find more financing to complete what we started last year when we successfully implemented critically needed 100% FINANCING marine improvements at St. Johns Harbor and the Heritage Quay Pier.” The Tourism Minister reported that very experienced cruise Industry leaders like Adam Goldstein, Rick Sasso, Robin Lindsay, Carlos Torres Navarro and Michele Paige were impressed with the fact that although the Antiguan cruise-sector masterplan had already made significant implementation progress, the Minister and his team were still open to feedback and suggestions cont’d on pg 4 Don’t Dream it. Drive it FREE INSURANCE & LICENSING FREE ONE YEAR SERVICE & 3 MONTHS GAS FREE REGISTRATION & PLATES Mr. Adam Goldstein Pres. Royal Caribbean Cruise line and new FCCA Chairman; and Tourism Minister Hon Asot Michael FACTORY & AMERICAN ROAD,ST.JOHN’S ANTIGUA W.I. 1 (268) 462-1062 www.harneymotorsltd.com
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Caribbean Times 87th Issue - Tuesday 31st January 2017

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