BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (April 9, 2010) - Owner of the Big Banana Tours, Michael Bridgewater, declared that he has no intention of allowing differences between he and the Ministry of Tourism to derail his primary agenda for growth and development of the tourism sector.
“I am not so naïve that I am not aware that differences are going to come about, because there are certain officials who want things done their way and, in many cases, they are not for the best interest of the tourism sector but just for themselves. The evidence of such differences are clear for all to see and I have therefore made up my mind that I will not allow these individuals to bock my plan of action and development. However, I hope that the government is aware that there is an underlying relationship between business and government and that relationship has to be kept intact in spite of the differences. To fracture that relationship is to interfere with the very fabric of the economy, which is happening now as a result of the aggressive plan by a few to interfere with the operations of Big Banana,” Bridgewater said.
But according to Bridgewater, who is credited with the creation of the Safari Tours, there is a need for “a significantly positive relationship” between the government and taxi operators. He is of the opinion that the government is worried about the impact and ability that taxi operators possessed.
Bridgewater, whose popularity spans worldwide with regards to the service he provides, said that taxi operators hold the key to tourism growth or failure, declaring that the taxi sector does not imply a weak private sector.
“We have to understand that in an economy such as ours, where it is the taxi sector that pushes the private sector and resulting in its generation of wealth for the Federation, it would be counterproductive to have anything but a robust private sector via the taxi sector. Therefore, we need to ensure that those heading the tourism sector understand and recognize that to have a unified and strong private sector. I have no intentions of allowing the personal agendas of a few to deter me from continuing my business, which has and still plays a meaningful role in this Federation,” Bridgewater added.
Bridgewater stated that he anticipates Big Banana’s relationship with the government would be informed by mutual recognition of the importance of each other’s roles in developing St. Kitts and Nevis.
“As the owner of Big Banana and the person who has gotten this type of business off here in St Kitts and Nevis, I want all to know that I will be pursuing what seeks to ensure that things are fair, above board and ethical in the best interest of the sector and those involved,” he said.
Stating that taxi operators should take some amount of responsibility for what has been occurring within the sector, Bridgewater said there is growing concerned each day as he recognises that some taxi operators are more concerned about themselves rather than the sector. He opined that the primary objective should be seeing the holistic growth and development of the sector rather than individuality.
“I suppose it would be true to say there has been a degree of insularity in the way that Tai operators operate, thus allowing others to take advantage of them. We as taxi operators have to recognise the pivotal importance of each taxi operator being able to build bridges with the small business sector”.
Bridgewater argued that sometimes they tend to forget that small businesses are the driving force behind the Federation’s economy, and they provide employment and a livelihood for many in St Kitts and Nevis.
The businessman declared that other taxi businessmen and women in St. Kitts have expressed frustration over what they say are “various hindrances to our attempts at expansion”, noting that only a selected few could expand because political affiliates are allowed certain opportunities.
Bridgewater said that he would continue to pursue, what he described as, the slow, painful and highly bureaucratic process at Port Zane to gain his rightful place and permission to execute his business at a certain level which is “a serious deterrent to business development for ordinary Kittitians and Nevisians like me”.
