BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – The yachting landscape in St. Kitts and Nevis will change dramatically over the next few years.
This was disclosed by Minister of Tourism and International Transportation, Sen. the Hon. Richard Skerritt.
“Yachting is a lucrative economic sector in other neighbouring Caribbean jurisdictions and has been identified as a key component of the strategy for future growth of our tourism development,” Mr. Skerritt told a consultation aimed at establishing a maritime policy and action plan.
He expressed confidence that the establishment of the private jet terminal now under construction at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport, together with the ongoing construction of new world-class marina facilities at Christophe Harbour, and a further expansion of the Port Zante marina, coupled with the modernisation of yacht entry and clearance administration, will help to significantly propel our destination forward in this sector.
“It is our Government’s intention to build a positive environment for growth of the yachting sector, and for the overall development of our maritime and marine sectors. A Maritime Policy and Action Plan will be an important and timely step in the right direction,” Minister Skerritt said.
The World Tourism Organisation (WTO) defines a yachting tourist as a person who stays for more than 24 hours but less than twelve months in a particular country outside his or her usual place of residence and whose place of stay is a vessel for most of their stay.
Yachting establishments are those enterprises that cater uniquely or mostly to yachtsmen, and include charter boat companies, marinas and ancillary marine services, such as sail-making, engine repair, marine electronics and out-haul facilities.
The distinction between direct and indirect recipients can be blurred. Many yachting establishments, such as marinas and ancillary services, provide goods and services directly to yachtsmen, as well as to other yachting establishments such as charter boat companies and, further confounding the problem, to non-yachting residents and other tourists as well.
