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| CEO of the World Class Performers, Mr. Larry Fish (second from right) introduces several of the top bank performers to St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas (right)during a reception at the Golf Club on Saturday. |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, APRIL 4TH 2006 - The tourism policy of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Administration continues to bring dividends to the people and the of the twin-island Federation.
The St. Kitts Marriott Resort and the Royal Beach Casino has just ended hosting 1200 top achievers of the Citizens Financial Group (Citizens Bank) - the 8th largest commercial bank holding in the United States, with assets of US$155 billion.
The bank's "World Class Performers," is the single largest corporate incentive group to visit St. Kitts and the Marriott Hotel.
In welcoming the bankers from the 13 American states where Citizens Financial Group has branches, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, described the Federation as "one of the still undiscovered paradises in the Caribbean."
Dr. Douglas pointed out during a reception at the Golf Club House on Saturday, that choosing St. Kitts as their destination of choice, highlights the importance of high-end tourism to the people and the tourism industry and the national economy of St. Kitts and Nevis.
"We have taken a specific decision to transit out of sugar into hospitality services, specifically led by tourism. We also consider ourselves to be a very important destination for the international financial services sector and also for information communication technology services. But spearheading this new transformed economy that I speak about, is the tourism sector," said Prime Minister Douglas in an address to the hundreds of Citizens Financial Group officials.
"You in fact, as you heard you are the single largest incentive group to have visited our islands. You have been able to allow us to see what high-end tourism can mean for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis and that is why I hope that you have been able to enjoy the warm hospitality of our people, the cultural cuisine, the friendliness, the historical sites and the natural beauty of our country," said Prime Minister Douglas, who told the group it is as a result of their presence of large groups from the high end of the tourism market, why his government was confident that "St. Kitts and Nevis can successfully transform from a sugar agricultural-based economy to one that is new, dynamic and flourishing with tourism."
Dr. Douglas expressed two concerns in the process of transformation of the economy from sugar-agriculture to tourism.
"One, that we do it slowly and nicely, so that we can learn from the experiences that naturally would accrue, as we move
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| A section of the crowd gathering to hear Prime Minister Douglas. |
through this period of transition. Secondly, we're not going for mass tourism. We prefer high-end tourism, attracting hoteliers that have invested in the Marriott, the Four Seasons in Nevis, the Ritz-Carlton that will come within the next two years to our shores, the Mandarin Hotel; these are some of the brand names of the highest quality that we would wish to attract to St. Kitts and Nevis,' said Prime Minister Douglas.
He expressed the hope that the 1200 "World Class Performers" enjoyed their four-day-five nights' stay on St. Kitts and used the opportunity of the presence of the bankers to consider the Federation's Investment Citizenship Programme.
"Those of you who have been impressed with the hospitality of our people and the natural beauty of these two islands, I say to you that there is a particular way that you can become a permanently part of us.
We have an Investment Citizenship Programme. Those of you who are able to invest more than US$200,000 in property or in bonds, you can, not only have a permanent stay in this beautiful country, but you can also be a proud citizen of this Paradise," said Prime Minister Douglas.
Dr. Douglas thanked the Chief Executive Officer of the "World Class Performers Group," Mr. Larry Fish for bringing the group to St. Kitts and Nevis.
He specifically mentioned Sunlinc Limited General Manager, Ms. Giselle Matthews for the tremendous work in partnering with the government and partnering with the World Class Performers group.
"You are here to enjoy yourselves, you're able to relax, you're able to enjoy the necessary incentives that will make you successful in your corporate life, and at the same time, we here in St. Kitts and Nevis, have been given the opportunity to show what high-end tourism can mean for our people and for the rest of the world. God bless you and continue to have a fantastic time here in St. Kitts and Nevis," concluded Prime Minister Douglas to the tumultuous applause from the 1200 bankers.
