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| The Big Question: What are the plans for tourism in SVG? |
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(Issue 5 - October 2009) ZiNG asked Tourism Minister Glen Beache... With 32 islands and quays, we have had a lot of people who are interested in investing in us, but we really are being very careful about the way we develop the tourism industry. We’re very particular about who we work with and which developers we allow into the country. One of the things we don’t want to become is a mass tourism destination. The Harlequin Hotels Company is putting a 800-1,000 room property on St Vincent, and we’ll probably have one more big property on the island, but that will be it as far as big hotels are concerned. Have you learnt from any mistakes made by other islands? Absolutely. The thing is, every Caribbean island is different, every island is unique and the one thing we definitely don’t want to do with SVG is lose that Caribbean feel. That’s not bashing any of my neighbours because I think they all offer very good products, but let me assure you, you won’t come to SVG and feel like you’re in some part of Europe. Our tallest building is five storeys high and our planning laws will not allow anybody to build higher than that. What does SVG have to offer other Caribbean residents? “The Caribbean is full of beautiful islands, but I have to say this is one of the most complete destinations and one of the most diverse in the world. Come and visit one island and get 31 free! Regional tourism within the Caribbean has always been our biggest market. As a matter of fact we we were among the first to promote ourselves within the Caribbean and run major marketing campaigns addressing that market. Yes, taxes on internal flights are high, but unfortunately in times like these governments aren’t going to touch their revenue sources.” Are you involving the people of SVG in the development of tourism? “Very much so. We have a project to be completed by the end of this year in which we’re upgrading 15 tourism sites, but what makes this project unique is that once completed, the communities involved will be managing the sites. They get to feel the tourism dollar and they get a say in how it develops. If the man on the street doesn’t feel the tourism dollar then SVG should not be involved in tourism. If investors aren’t concerned about our communities then we don’t want them. Are you keeping an eye on environmental issues? “Absolutely. Our planning departments will be keeping a hawk’s eye on investors when it comes to environmental issues. It is very, very important to us.” |
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