GSLP-Liberals-Manifesto-2019

GIBRALTAR MARITIME ACADEMY
We have the institution, we have the
accommodation, we have a thriving
maritime industry and we have a
Gibraltar Maritime Administration
applying the highest possible
international standards. It is the
perfect combination for the provision
of maritime training. We will work
with the University, the Gibraltar Port
Authority and the Gibraltar Maritime
Administration on the establishment
of the Gibraltar Maritime Academy
which will welcome its first students
in September 2020. The Academy,
through the University, will offer
new undergraduate degrees – a BSc
(Hons) in Maritime Science (Nautical
with deck cadetship and a BSc (Hons)
in Maritime Science (Engineering)
with engineer cadetship. These will
lead to deck officer of the watch
certification or engineer officer of the
watch certification. The GSLP Liberals
are truly excited by the prospect of
putting Gibraltar firmly on the map
as a provider of world class maritime
training.
DISTANCE LEARNING
In addition, for those already working at
sea who wish to gain an undergraduate
degree whilst continuing to work, the
University will offer the same degrees
entirely online so that these can be
undertaken through distance learning.
TOURISM
During the last term of office we
restructured the Gibraltar Tourist
Board so that it was able to concentrate
primarily on the marketing of Gibraltar
as a destination for tourists. That, we
believe, is the most efficient use of
the resources of the GTB and where
the greatest value for Gibraltar can
be obtained. We have, over the
last four years, invested heavily in
promotion and marketing activities.
This has included attendance and
exhibiting at numerous conferences
and trade shows including the World
Travel Market in London where the
Gibraltar: A Year of Culture campaign
was launched. We have also continued
to support and invest in cultural and
sporting events as part of our strategy
of event led tourism. This has turned
out to be enormously successful in
attracting many thousands of visitors
to Gibraltar. Enhancing Gibraltar
is also hugely important and the
development of parks, walks and
trails in Gibraltar is as relevant and
important when assessing Gibraltar as
a tourist destination.
SUPPORTING THE GTB
We will continue to support the
Gibraltar Tourist Board in its marketing
and promotion efforts.
THE GIBRALTAR APP
The modern mantra of ‘there’s an app
for that’ must also apply to the Gibraltar
tourist experience. We will advertise
for expressions of interest from local
tech entrepreneurs to develop and
deploy a ‘Gibraltar Tourist App’ which
will highlight points of interest and
explain the nature and history of select
parts of Gibraltar.
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
We believe that having world class
acts in Gibraltar not only attracts
visitors but enhances Gibraltar’s
reputation as a quality destination and
jurisdiction. We will work closely with
Cirque du Soleil to create a custommade
Cirque du Soleil show which
would be performed in Gibraltar. We
expect this to be an unforgettable
experience showcasing our history,
heritage, culture, diversity and identity
as a people. A Cirque du Soleil show
would have huge benefits for tourism
generally including the retail, hotel,
transport and cruising sectors.
ST MICHAELS CAVE
As part of our commitment to make
and promote further investment in
the Upper Rock tourist experience,
we have already announced a new
and enhanced attraction to be rolled
out at St Michael’s Cave. As a result
of a competitive process a projection
mapping technology experience is
being rolled out to create a world
class tourist product in the cave. It is
designed to be sympathetic to the
cave and enhance its feature, taking
visitors on an unforgettable journey
through Gibraltar’s military and natural
history, using discreetly positioned
projectors to bring this vividly to
life. This is in keeping with the GSLP
Liberals commitment to continuous
improvement of the Gibraltar
experience for tourists and residents
alike.
SKYWALK & SUSPENSION BRIDGE
We have developed two new tourist
attractions at the Skywalk and the
Windsor Suspension Bridge. These
will be properly and fully maintained
and monetised – always allowing
totally free access to residents. Adding
new tourist attractions is an important
way to attract repeat visitors.
NORTHERN DEFENCES
The establishment of the Northern
Defences Adventure Park will be
a great new addition to the tourist
facilities available in Gibraltar. These
are going to create interest in young
people looking for active tourist
options as well as for those who are
interested in military history and
nature. This will be a truly magnificent
awakening of an asset that has laid
abandoned for years.
WINE VAULT
We fully supported the establishment
of the Gibraltar Wine Vault, including
with the provision of seed lending by
Credit Finance Company Ltd (which
has been fully repaid). We consider
that this will be an important potential
business for Gibraltar and also an
attractive and novel tourist attraction
which will show off the tunnels inside
the Rock.
UPPER ROCK TRANSPORT
We will continue to work with the
Gibraltar Taxi Association, who offer
the premium, chauffeur driven tourist
experience on the Upper Rock, and
other interested parties to ensure
that we are providing the optimum
transport system for tourists.
GFSB BID
We believe that backing the GFSB
Business Improvement District
initiative pound for pound will be good
...aspire to the best Gibraltar 121