Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 11, 2015 (SKNIS): The St. Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA) today, Wednesday, November 11, hosted a marketing retreat for its local and overseas team and private and public sector partners to discuss the goals and objectives of utmost importance to the development of an even better tourism product in 2016.
Speaking to the participants, Minister of Tourism, Honourable Lindsay Grant, reaffirmed that the tourism industry is the economic driver in St. Kitts-Nevis and as such should be given the care and attention it deserves. He added that performances in every area of the industry should be improved every year.
Projections for 2016 and beyond show much promise, said the minister, while referencing the agreement with Embassy Suites to build a 226 suite hotel by the first quarter of 2017. This will be added to the three top United States (US) brands, including the Marriott, Hyatt and Hilton, with properties planned or in place on island.
The minister also referred to the cruise market which will hit the 1.1 million passenger mark for 2015 to 2016 season. “In fact we would welcome that passenger on the Carnival Fascination on July 22, 2016 if calls stay on schedule,” said the Minister.
Other plans include Phase I of the Koi Resorts project which is scheduled to open with 80 rooms in February 2017 and Phase I of the Park Hyatt which is scheduled to open with 134 rooms by September of 2016.
In addition, there are plans to establish a School of Excellence to train people in the industry in top class service, grow stay-over visitors by at least 10 percent from 105,000 to 115,000, build an additional cruise pier facility to enhance the visitor experience and reorganize and recalibrate the visitor experience at the Port Zante arrivals hall. The bathroom facilities at Cockleshell Beach will be upgraded, the Pelican Mall refurbished and the Amina Craft Market upgraded. The South Friars/Frigate Bay coastal erosion mitigation project will be launched and work will begin to improve and enhance the island’s historical sites.
The tourism minister expressed that he is excited about what the Ministry of Tourism along with the Tourism Authority “can and will deliver.”
“If this industry succeeds and performs and outstrips its goals, it means by extension the country and you would be in a better position,” said the minister.
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