BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS (MARCH 15TH 2004) – The recent visit to St. Kitts by four cruise ships last Tuesday “is sweet reward for the hard work of the tourism authority and other stakeholders within this industry who have marketed and promoted St. Kitts as a destination worth visiting,” the St. Kitts/Nevis Sun newspaper said.
In an editorial, the independent daily also expressed concern on recent crimes and issued an appeal to everyone in St. Kitts and Nevis “to participate in the fight against crime and work towards the preservation of St. Kitts/Nevis as a safe tourist destination.”
Sun St. Kitts/Nevis said that last Tuesday when four ships were visiting “was a day when everyone reaped the benefits of a buoyant tourism industry and where all could see the great potential that lies within this sector.”
“Tuesday was a day when all Kittitians should have looked out on the harbour and taken a moment to reflect on the fact that this Federation is valued and desired for its beauty and hospitality. They should have taken a moment to realise that people want to come to this little island and explore and enjoy what is here and pay for the goods and services that are offered,” said the paper in an editorial.
But the paper advised that it was “time for those who are unemployed to pause and think what they might be able to do in order to tap into this wealth of opportunities.”
Sun St. Kitts/Nevis noted that at a time when there are heightened concerns about personal
security, St. Kitts remains a destination that is safe for travel and this was very evident on Tuesday with four ships at one time in the Basseterre harbour. “That St. Kitts remains a low security risk is a label that should be valued and one that should be maintained.”
The paper pointed out that taxi drivers, the business people and various vendors are aware of how they benefited and they should cherish that kind of economic activity because as the returns come in it will trickle down to everyone in the country.
It lamented however that the recent spate of criminal activities in this Federation can jeopardise this lucrative market and what promises to be a bright future for tourism in this country.
The paper said that when monies from Tuesday's transactions are counted it will soon be realised that this country cannot afford for even one of those ships to stop making visits.
“The SUN is appealing to everyone in this country to participate in the fight against crime and work towards the preservation of St. Kitts/Nevis as a safe tourist destination.
There are a lot that each person can do. Report crime when it is happening. Do not be afraid to give witness to what is seen or heard. One ship was lost to an unclean environment and that was a lesson learned. Threats to one's security however, are more serious than untidiness,” said the daily.
It pointed out that when the cruise ship cancelled its visit to the Federation last year, programmes were launched to educate the public on the effects of littering. “It is time a similar anti-crime campaign is launched. There needs to be an aggressive attack on this problem so that the tourism industry can continue to grow and thrive,” the Sun St. Kitts/Nevis editorialised.
