BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 21ST 2009 (CUOPM) – Government, the private sector and non-governmental organisations have an important role to play in sustaining the development of tourism.
Minister of State for Tourism, Sen. the Hon. Richard Skerritt in appealing for the protection and sustainability of the Federation’s heritage for the present and future use of its people said his goal as Minister over the past few years, has been to help grow the tourism sector of the economy of St. Kitts and Nevis and empower Kittitians so that as many of them can benefit from its growth.
“At the same time, I have also strived to develop and utilise sports and culture as key tools for economic and human development. Achieving sustainable tourism development has been an ongoing objective. But it is clearer to me than ever before, that government cannot do this alone. All of us – the public and the private sector and NGO’s alike - have an important role to play in the development of a sustainable tourism industry. Collaboration is key, as is a clear demarcation of respective roles and responsibilities,” said Minister Skerritt at celebrations to mark the 20th Anniversary of the St. Christopher Heritage Society.
Noting that the world is changing at a faster rate today than one could ever imagine, Minister Skerritt pointed to global climate change and the economic crisis at a scale never seen before.
“And the tourism sector is facing its biggest challenge yet – that of getting through this economic crisis while still protecting our environment from exploitation. Bringing together the many elements of a tourism supply chain under one common sustainable agenda with a clear demarcation of roles and responsibilities is one of the central challenges that I ask you to help our country face up to,” he said.
He issued a call to the future National Trust to be prepared to be an even stronger stakeholder in achieving sustainable tourism development than in the past.
“My message to you therefore is that we should seek to protect and sustain our heritage for the present and future use of our own people as well as for the enjoyment of our visitors. In so doing, we should be celebrating and protecting all aspects of our island heritage that are recognised as being of national and international importance. And the more we can manage to balance economic progress with conservation of our heritage, the more our communities should thrive,” said Minister Skerritt.
