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| Ackeem Alexander |
April 12th 2011 - The People’s Action Movement as far back as the 1960’s (BEFORE I was born) produced a visionary policy paper expressing the need to diversify the economy of the then Associated State St. Kitts – Nevis – Anguilla away from the monoculture sugar economy that existed. The People’s Action Movement realized that the Sugar Industry that exploited and dehumanized our fore parents, was not and could not meet the aspirations, of a growing number of the citizens and the sugar industry should not be the only job opportunity for YOUNG EDUCATED CITIZENS.
In that policy paper, The People’s Action Movement stated that the Education and Empowerment of young people will forever be one of its primary commitments. The People’s Action Movement understood the difference between SERVICE and SERVILITY and that other countries e.g. Antigua, Barbados, Jamaica and The Bahamas were diversifying their economies and providing alternatives for their young people.
The sugar industry dependent economy of the 1960’s and 1970’s offered only menial jobs without the possibility of any upward socio-economic mobility. The then government could not understand that what a monoculture sugar industry had to offer was INCONGRUENT with our growing Educated Young People.
The People’s Action Movement decided to provide opportunities for the man of young people who fell between the scholars and those of lower academic ability.
In 1980 the People’s Action Movement in COALITION with the Nevis Reformation Party in government embarked on Tourism Development as one of its primary means of diversifying the economy. Changes brought by the P.A.M. – NRP created AWE and many were AGAPE. Examples;
- From 3 cruise ship visits per year to 300
- Taxi operators got tax concessions on vehicles thus affording them to get rid of their older vehicles for NEW VEHICLES
- Locally owned small guesthouses, restaurants, hotels and associated business emerged
- Port Zante constructed, Four Seasons Resort built and the Airport Expaned
- And to where it really matters MORE MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF ALL CITIZENS.
After the first decade of tourism development the P.A.M – NRP in government produced a
TOURISM MASTER PLAN to designed to propel Tourism into the future. This included a number of major projects such as:
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The opening of the previously inaccessible S.E. peninsular by the construction of the Dr. K. A. Simmonds Highway
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Development of Old Road and Cayon as tourism centers
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Port Zante and the Airport Expansion Project
The vision that the People’s Action Movement held in the 1960’s and implemented while in government in 1980 – 1995 propelled St. Kitts – Nevis, according to the Center For Economic Development, to achieve the number one position in economic development in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Today, the tourist industry and tourism facilities and infrastructure built by P. A. M. – NRP are keeping the country afloat especially in light of the closing of the sugar industry.
A future Peoples Action Movement government will put in place a new Tourism Master Plan which will link tourism to and involve and benefit stakeholders of sports, culture, arts, agriculture and the environment.
Any tourism policy of future Peoples Action Movement government MUST include and promote greater local involvement in investments in and the ownership of the tourism industry.
A new Tourism Master Plan envisions
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the development of the historic Spooners, Cayon for tourism and recreational purposes, the promotion of St. Kitts and Nevis as a yacht repair location;
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the development of historic Old Road as a major tourism center with its nearby attractions such as the Carib Petroglyphs, Romney Manor, and Wingfield National Park;
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the encouragement of and the assistance to the National Trust in the restoration and development of historic sites; and
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the encouragement and promotion of foreign language laboratories for young persons in particular to develop foreign language skills.
It is important for especially the youths of this country to stop and ponder the state of St. Kitts and Nevis without the tourist industry built by the P. A. M.
The People’s Action Movement remains committed to the development of our tourist industry that is a sustainable industry co-existing with our people, their values and our environment.
May God forever bless St Kitts and Nevis
