Caribbean Times 92nd Issue - Tuesday 7th February 2017

More documents

Recommendations

Info

6 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g Tuesday 7th February 2017 Strategic targets set for the Ministry of Tourism in 2017 Cruise arrivals, air arrivals, airlift, and public relations are among the major areas of concentration for the Ministry of Tourism in 2017. With a successful 2016 now in the record books, the ministry will redouble its efforts in ensuring the upward trend continues. Tourism officials are predicting a 10 per cent increase in air arrivals for 2017, including initiating discussions with at least four major airlines to begin serving the country, namely Emirates, Norwegian and Panama’s flag carrier Copa. Plans are also to engage US carriers Spirit, Southwest and Jetblue, through the Fort Lauderdale gateway. A 6 per cent growth in air arrivals and airlift was recorded in 2016. Visitors totaled 265,187, an increase of 14, 737 when compared to 2015. The United States market dominated in 2016 according to statistics, recording a 15 per cent growth over 2015. Caribbean arrivals are also reported to have increased, a result of increased marketing and promotion within the region. On the cruise front, officials are projecting 100, 000 passengers will disembark in Port St. John’s in 2017. If the ambitious plan is successful, it will be the first time that the country will record such figures in any given year. Meantime, expansion work on berthing facilities is continuing for such a feat to be accomplished. The overall success will be hinged on the country raising its awareness. Tourism Minister Asot Michael says his ministry will “Identify at least 2 major PR opportunities from our major source markets that will exponentially raise the awareness of the destination.” Going forward, Minister Michael noted that the intention is to strategically position Antigua and Barbuda as the destination of choice, in an effort to increase business to the country. Minister Michael: Small hotel properties continue to thrive By Joanna Paris Minister with responsibility for Tourism, the Hon. Asot Michael has lauded the contributions of small hotel properties to the country’s viable tourism sector. While making his contribution to the 2017 Budget presentation last week, Minister Michael outlined that the indigenous properties have played a major role where accommodation is concerned. The Tourism Minister made the point as he highlighted the significant increase that the country has experienced in 2016 with air arrivals. “This ABLP led Administration has provided tangible support to increase the involvement of the indigenous population in the ownership, management, and operation of tourism facilities and events to increase tourism earnings retained in the country. Strengthening our presence and destination appeal in the regional market should bring direct benefits to several of these smaller properties”, he said. Minister Michael also spoke of the involvement of the small properties in regional and international roadshows which have also increased their visibility abroad. “We have engaged and facilitated the small hoteliers in various marketing programs, and roadshow participation. We journeyed together to London’s World Travel Market, Trinidad, Cuba, Dominican Republic and the French West Indies. This has resulted in increased bookings and business particularly around our events such as Carnival and Cricket. We have delivered on our promise and shown a real example of how people participation can empower and prosper indigenous Antiguan and Barbudan businesses”, the Tourism Minister said.
Tuesday 7th February 2017 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 7 Tourism Minister makes a case for an adjustment in his Ministry’s budget allocation Tourism Minister the Hon. Asot Michael is appealing for an adjustment in the allocation given to his ministry in Budget 2017. During debate of the estimates in the House of Representatives last week, Mr. Michael reported the successes of his department in the face of economic uncertainty throughout the world. However, he insists that in order for Antigua and Barbuda to position itself to withstand the challenges and record further growth, his ministry, specifically tourism, must be adequately financed in order to execute its plans and programmes. He wants budget technicians to review the allocation with a view of increasing the figures. “I am making a special appeal that the additional funds that were cut from our original capital budget of $13M down to $1.4M be looked at again. These funds were earmarked for four capital expenditure projects and it is imperative that our finance technicians understand the importance of the Tourism sector, which is a driver for the entire economy,” the minister stated. “I am appealing to the Honourable Prime Minister to use your good office Sir to ensure that senior technicians support your vision and provide the necessary resources for this vital industry.” Approximately 31 and a half million dollars have been allocated to the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy in Budget in Budget 2016. Minister Michael’s appeal was boosted earlier by former Prime Minister Sir Lester Bird. During his contribution to the budget debate, Sir Lester stated that the allocation given to the Ministry of Tourism is inadequate and wants it to be increase, especially in the area of promotion and marketing. Describing it as a major contributor to the country’s “economic fortunes”, Minister Michael declared that the accolades bestowed on the country as a strategic player By Joanna Paris Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Telecommunications, the Hon. Melford Nicholas has given further details about the expansion of the IT platform of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda. While speaking at the post Cabinet Media Briefing which took place at the Office of the Prime Minister of Monday, the Information Minister said that the government is looking forward to further enhancing the resources that are available to the police. He said that discussions are in the final stages for the law enforcement agency to be equipped with a new information technology platform that will allow them to establish an effective records management within the tourism industry regionally and internationally are an indication of greater things to come. However, amidst the achievements, Minister Asot Michael is cautioning key players within the industry not to let down their guards, and to be mindful of the uncertainty that prevails in Europe through Brexit, and in North America with the election of a new president. “Right now, the world faces a high degree of political and economic unpredictability. In the United States, the Caribbean region’s biggest trading partner and the country from which a large number of tourists come, there is great uncertainty over its future direction,” he noted. “Will America become a fortress, ripping up trade agreements; closing its market; denying entry to immigrants, and forcing its business community to operate only in their domestic market, or will a more internationalist approach prevail – one in which the US continues to be an open economy that encourages liberalized trade and transnational investment?” Heading one the most important departments of government and with another bumper season predicted for tourism in 2017, the Hon. Asot Michael has pledged “to recapture and improve Antigua and Barbuda’s standing, and we are delighted that our efforts to punch above our weight are delivering tangible benefits for all to see.” More technological developments for the RPFAB system. “We are in advanced stages at the Ministry in terms of working in conjunction with the force, we are looking at a number of suppliers who have come forward with regard to making a bid to provide the facilities for the police to have all of the modern features available to fight crime anywhere and this will be cost effective”, he explained. The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda recently examined data pertaining to the crime fighting triumphs of the Royal Police Force in 2016 and is very satisfied that a change in the leadership resulted in improved performance, as reflected in the data. Reports also indicate that crime has been significantly reduced across the country.
Page 1 and 2: Informative, reliable, enriching! T
Page 3 and 4: Tuesday 7th February 2017 c a r i b
Page 5: Tuesday 7th February 2017 c a r i b

Caribbean Times 92nd Issue - Tuesday 7th February 2017

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?