BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – Pursuant to the cessation of sugar production on the island of St. Kitts, the Tourism Authority has developed an eight-point tourism plan for 2006-2007, that emphasizes the important role the tourism industry must play in the island’s economy.
In an effort to broaden its marketplace appeal and accentuate its natural assets, the short-term plan focuses on the product attributes which set the island apart from the competition, while also outlining various ways in which the destination will expand its tourism offering and infrastructure.
“With the emphasis and urgency that has been placed on the closure of and transformation from sugar production, it is critical that government approach the Tourism Industry with even greater care and planning,” said Ricky Skerritt, St. Kitts’ Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture. “Thus we have implemented an eight point short-term Tourism Plan for 2006-2007. Details of a revised National Tourism Policy and Strategic Plan for the medium term will be developed during the first six months of 2006.”
The national assets that define the uniqueness of St. Kitts as a destination include the island’s stunning natural beauty, namely the reef and forest ecosystems, the heritage, culture, genuine hospitality of the Kittitian people, and the overall ambiance of the island. Based on these assets the St. Kitts Tourism Authority has developed an eight point tourism plan that will:
1. Promote the national assets to attract more upscale travelers to the visitor mix by leveraging our nature, culture and heritage which add perceived value to a destination and attract a more discerning and well traveled visitor.
2. Introduce a wider variety of accommodations and attractions that appeal to this more sophisticated traveler, including luxury hotels and villas, world class golf courses, marinas, spas and wellness centers, a thoroughbred race track, gourmet dining and high-end shopping.
3. Improve and upgrade the existing tourism infrastructure to ensure that a quality product is provided across the full range of accommodation options.
4. Expand the training for the front-line and other service providers to ensure they have the tools to enhance the visitor experience and provide a globally competitive service product.
5. Maximize the destination’s status as a host nation for the ICC Cricket World Cup to position St. Kitts to be a significant player in the world of Sports Tourism and Events Tourism in general.
6. Facilitate the economic empowerment of small- and medium-sized local enterprises and help to increase awareness within the communities, especially our youth, of the opportunities that the tourism sector provides.
7. Give full respect to the principles of sustainable tourism in the development project planning.
8. Improve the ability to track the source of tourism arrivals and the details of tourism expenditure with the objective of assessing performance and impact of the sector on government revenue and the national economy.
In 2007, St. Kitts will be a host destination for the ICC (International Cricket Council) Cricket World Cup with six Phase One matches scheduled to take place at Warner Park Stadium in March 2007, featuring Australia, South Africa, Holland and Scotland.
