UK Travel Agents appreciate unspoilt Nevis
~~Adz:Left~~CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - A cross-section of the 10 UK-based travel agents who visited Nevis last week say the island is unspoilt and tourists seeking tranquility and isolation would love it as a destination.
The agents were hosted at Oualie Beach Resort by the General Manager, Vaden Jones. They were treated to a sumptuous dinner on Thursday night. The resort also provided accommondation for one night and breakfast on the morning of their departure.
Kevin Sansom of Bath Travel said:“Some tourists need complete isolation. The island should not be overdeveloped.” Sansom said the journey from St. Kitts to Nevis by boat or Sea Bridge is a “lovely journey. It is part of the holiday. There is no rush here. It is a relaxing destination.”
The Manager St. Kitts Tourism Authority in London, Jennifer Hensley, who is a former Miss St. Kitts (1986/1987), accompanied the agents to the Federation. Ms Hensley said the objective of the tour was to create awareness to travel agents so that they can sell the Federation better to their clients.
“Clients are more comfortable when the tour agent has been to a destination,” Ms Hensley said. She was optimistic that European tourists would be interested in the beaches and the warmth the Federation offers.
“We are also selling our culture and want potential tourists to explore our islands and get a feel of what we have to offer including our historic sites. We are also promoting all the festivals,” Ms Hensley noted.
~~Adz:Right~~She called on local service providers to continually improve services by putting on a smile, “Do not offer services just because it is a job, put on a smile.” She said the twin islands have a lot of potential in terms of attracting tourists. “We are very rich in heritage tourism and culture but we are new in marketing our tourism,” Ms. Hensley said.
Ms Hensley said one major setback for European tourists as opposed to North American tourists is the airlift especially the long wait in Antigua for tourists visiting St. Kitts and Nevis. She said sometimes travellers have to wait for eight hours. She said the governments and airlines have to seek ways that ease the challenge posed in Antigua by tourists travelling from Europe.
She said tourists could take advantage of Excel Airways flights from UK to St. Kitts every Monday. She expressed satisfaction with the Sea Bridge and said the facility was “working quite well.”
Agents accompanying Ms Hensley fell in love with Nevis. “ I love the island. It has friendly people and a relaxed atmosphere. Tourism seems new. There is an untapped market,” Stuart Clark of Letsgo2.com tour company said. He said every effort should be made not to overdevelop Nevis, “It is peaceful. It is unspoilt.”
Ms Hensley recommended that businesspersons invest in seaplanes to ease transport between St. Kitts and Nevis. She also recommended that Nevis airport be expanded “a little” as the runway was too short to allow for bigger aircraft to fly from Europe to Nevis.
