BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - MORE than 50 stakeholders from across the public and private sectors are putting their heads together to figure out what is the best way of developing the yachting industry as a means of diversifying the local economy and broadening the Federation’s tourism product.
The meeting, organised by the Ministry of Tourism, the St. Kitts and Nevis Yachting Development Forum, is a one-day event being held at the Ocean Terrace Inn.
The day’s activities include a panel discussion under the theme ‘The Vision for the Development of the Yachting Sector’ and small group sessions/discussions.
During the opening of the event, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Carlene Morton explained that global tourism is a major economic driver, and because it is critical to the “continued prosperity of our nation and wellbeing of our people, it is imperative that we continually innovate and intensify efforts to add to existing offering, explore ways to keep the destination fresh and attractive so we are associated with a superior product that will sharpen our competitive edge”.
She said with recent recommendations by ECLAC for Caribbean territories to be more dynamic in the economic diversification efforts, particularly through the tourism sectors, the development of yachting and marine services is said to have “significant economic potential”.
“Bearing this in mind, the Ministry of Tourism has been collaborating with stakeholders to strategically develop the yachting sector as a means of adding value to our tourism product. According to Dr. Len Ishmael, Ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean States Mission, the local yachting sector, which is relatively untapped, is a niche market which is ripe for investment and an avenue for promoting our Federation and attracting a new generation of tourists who are looking for something new and somewhere different. And for the most part, they are people with very disposable incomes who are not shy about spending on the finer things in life.”
The Permanent Secretary said the Federation is “naturally positioned to take full advantage of this niche market”.
Minister of Tourism the Hon. Lindsay Grant supported his Permanent Secretary comments by reiterating that the Federation is strategically positioned to tap into the yachting industry, which he described as a “potentially lucrative gold mine”.
“We are a well-established tourism destination. Our location of St. Kitts and Nevis makes it an easy stop, a natural extension of the itineraries of the current yachters. We have strong private sector investment in the construction and provision of marinas slips and berths, as evidenced by the Christophe Harbour Marina. The Urban Development Cooperation operates a small Marina with 32 berths for which there’s high demand for the visiting yachters. The Caribbean, particularly the Eastern Caribbean, has popular and well-travelled cruising grounds. Antigua and Barbuda, St. Baths and the British Virgin Islands are just a few examples.
“We have a diversified tourism product which would support yachting. This includes the St. Kitts Marriott Resort. Additionally, the entry of new hotels such as the Belmont Farms at Kittitian Hill, the Park Hyatt Hotel which is under construction, Christophe Harbour and the Tamarind Cove Development in Nevis as well as Nevis’ four and five star properties, offer appropriate accommodation for high end visitors and yachters. A private boat yard in the St. Kitts Marina Works Ltd. has already invested in a 150-ton travel lift on St. Kitts. This is a substantial asset and investment, and gives the island a competitive advantage.”
It is hoped that by the end of the event, all ideas would have been compiled and the best way forward in developing the yachting and marine services industry within St. Kitts and Nevis would have been identified.
