BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - IN a effort to boost the country's Tourism product, the government of Antigua and Barbuda has recently appointment a number of renowned entertainers as Goodwill Ambassadors and Cultural Envoys.
Among the entertainers named are: Sir McClean Emmanuel, Sir Rupert Philo and Paul Richards, who were appointed Goodwill Ambassadors; and Claudette 'CP' Peters, Clarence 'Oungku' Edwards, Toriano 'Onyan' Edwards, Tanzania 'Tizzy' Sebastian and Tian Winter, who were appointed Cultural Envoys.
According to www.antiguachronicle.net, the artistes would be working alongside the Ministry of Tourism, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority and the Department of Culture to help promote the destination in the Caribbean, North American and European markets.
One of the conditions that the entertainers are expected to satisfy is three charitable concerts per year. The website also stated that other Cultural Envoys are expected to be named.
With this recent announcement, persons have been questioning whether or not the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis would be looking into having Goodwill Ambassadors and Cultural Envoys of its own.
It is said that Kittitian and Nevisian entertainers who are known regionally and/or internationally would make great Ambassadors with respect to promoting the twin-island Federation.
But who would best fit the profile of a Goodwill Ambassador and/or Cultural Envoy for St. Kitts and Nevis?
Konris Maynard is said to be a perfect candidate for a Goodwill Ambassador and/or a Cultural Envoy, after he has already made a name for himself around the Caribbean.
Being a Calypso King who keeps his competitors "going by de breath", it is felt that, like waking a "sleeping tiger", he could also wake up the St. Kitts-Nevis Tourism industry too.
King Meeko is another Calypsonian who persons suggest would make a great promoter for the Federation. His tunes such as ‘Ge she de lay, lay’ is said to have helped in boosting St. Kitts and Nevis.
Royston 'Mr. World' Wigley of Small Axe Band is also said to be a good candidate for Goodwill Ambassador and/or Cultural Envoy. He has been in the entertainment industry for decades and leading the well-known Small Axe Band to the name of the "Sweetest Band in the World".
Ellie Matt is another veteran calypsonian who has helped to put St. Kitts on the map with songs such as 'Drunken Mass', 'Talk Of De Town' and "Leggo Me Jacket'.
He has been in the music industry before the birth of the Federation's National Carnival, where he had made his entrance into the calypso arena.
There are persons who remember and were fond of Ellie Matt and the GI’s Brass and would most definitely suggest him for a Goodwill Ambassador.
Names such as Starshield, King Socates, Singing Jackie and King Dis an Dat were also suggested as possibilities.
Persons are also of the view that some of the younger entertainers, including Infamus, Ali D and Cinnamon who recently won the International Soca Awards for Best New Female Soca Artiste of the Year.
Those are just a few of the names that hit the radar when the topic Goodwill Ambassador and Cultural Envoy came up.
Attempts to contact the Minister with responsibility for Tourism, Hon. Richard 'Ricky' Skerritt, and Minister with responsibility for Culture Hon. Marcella Liburd for their comments on the matter were unsuccessful.
Do you think St. Kitts-Nevis should have Goodwill Ambassadors and Cultural Envoys to assist with the promotion of the Federation as a tourist destination? If yes, who would you suggest to be appointed?
