(St. John’s Antigua) - The Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority are welcoming Antigua and Barbuda’s first ever Farm-to-Table Luncheon which will introduce visitors to the destination’s cuisine, prepared using authentic, locally sourced island ingredients. The Farm-to-Table event, to be held, this Saturday, April 18 at the Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Center (GARD Center) will bring national chefs and farmers together to highlight and celebrate locally produced food and cuisine. The Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority congratulated the GARD Centre on the spearheading of the initiative, which highlights the linkages between the agriculture and tourism sectors. The Farm-to-Table Luncheon has the potential to become a landmark event for the destination, and fits into the Tourism Offices plans for the development of agro and culinary tourism. Many of the finest local chefs who will be using their expertise to prepare the meals were past graduates of the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Institute. These chefs have gone on to attain key roles at their respective hotels. Shirlene Nibbs, Tourism Consultant within the Ministry of Tourism commented “This is a first for our destination and is a testimony to the quality of capacity building which exists in our local institution. Antigua and Barbuda’s culinary expertise and creativity will be demonstrated in a creative way by our local chefs at the Farm to Table Luncheon. It is an example of the renewed linkages between the various sectors that we seek to establish which will further improve our product offering”. CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Colin James, said, “We are excited to be working with the GARD Centre, and the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute on this culinary collaboration. It will help to position Antigua and Barbuda as a destination, which continually seeks to offer something new to our visitors in their quest for an authentic Antigua and Barbuda experience. We congratulate the GARD Center for their efforts in spearheading this initiative”. The farm-to-table movement is quite popular, and Saturday’s event will present a great opportunity for our visitors and residents to be exposed to exciting innovations in Antigua and Barbuda dining. Some of our finest chefs will be using our island ingredients to create a wide range of dishes, to reflect Antigua and Barbuda's cuisine and culture. Farm-to-Table restaurants were first created in the United States of America, in the 1960s, when it had become trendy to eat local, organic, or natural foods. The GARD’s Farm to Table Luncheon being supported by the Ministry of Tourism, The Tourism Authority and Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute, is another one of GARD’s major efforts in achieving the national goal of increasing the consumption of locally produced food in Antigua and Barbuda. Peter Holmberg to Defend his Title in Nonsuch Bay RS Elite Challenge at Antigua Sailing Week4/14/2015 The organisers of Antigua Sailing Week are delighted to announce that
the Nonsuch Bay RS Elite Challenge will be returning to this year’s Lay Day events on Pigeon Beach on Wednesday, April 29. The Challenge is a one-day invitational one-design racing event featuring 24-foot RS Elite sailboats and offering top-quality racing for eight highly qualified skippers and their teams. Racing will take place in close proximity to Pigeon Beach inside Falmouth Harbour to provide maximum spectating opportunities from the beach as well as from the water. For those watching from the beach, Nonsuch Bay Resort will have the grill fired up in its hospitality tent with delicacies from Resort Chef Michael Husbands available for purchase. Olympic medallist and America’s Cup winner Peter Holmberg was last year’s Challenge winner and he will be returning to Antigua again this year to defend his title. “The Antigua Sailing Week organisers invited me to participate in the Nonsuch Bay RS Elite Challenge last year and I’m really pleased I accepted the invitation. They provided well organised racing close to Pigeon Beach which allowed us to really showcase our sport of sailing. Although we took the racing seriously, we had a lot of fun and it was a great way to spend Lay Day. I’ll definitely be back to defend my title this year,” said Holmberg. Peter Holmberg will be back to defend his title in the 2015 Nonsuch Bay RS Elite Challenge at Antigua Sailing Week Other teams signed up to participate in the Challenge this year include *Team Phaedo^3* which has been breaking records around the Caribbean in its MOD 70 since its arrival in Antigua in February this year. There will be two all-women’s teams including *Performance Yacht Charter* with skipper Lucy Reynolds, and a *KH+P yachtcharter team* with Nicole Lameter at the helm. T*he Kick ‘Em Jenny team f*rom St. Maarten will be participating this year as will a team from *At Last . . .* with skipper Pietro Corbucci. Rounding out the eight-team line up will be two teams that won a place to enter the Challenge at the Final of the Nonsuch Bay RS Elite Summer Series held last December. Those teams will be led by Marc Fitzgerald of *Sojana* and Martin Beck who owns an RS Elite and is keenly promoting growth of the RS Elite class in Antigua. Beach activities will get underway from 12:00 noon and racing will start promptly at 1:00 pm. There will be two qualifying series of four teams each with a maximum of three races each of approximately 15 to 20 minutes in length. The top two boats from each series will go to the final series which will also consist of a final three races. The event came to life as a result of ideas thrown around by Mark Whinney, Marketing Director of *Nonsuch Bay Resort.* Mark loves the event and says: “Residents and guests at Nonsuch Bay Resort were getting so much enjoyment out of the RS Elites that we wanted to create a special event to provide greater exposure to both the RS Elite one-design fleet and of course to Nonsuch Bay Resort itself. We all agreed that there was no better time to do that than during Antigua Sailing Week. Racing in the Elites has become so popular that Nonsuch Bay has expanded its fleet over the past year and sailors have begun seeking out invitations to participate in the RS Elite Challenge on Lay Day every year.” There will be live commentary from the beach throughout the event so spectators can easily follow the on-the-water action. A prize giving will take place at about 5:00 pm with trophies being awarded to the top three finishers with a prize for the overall winner of a week’s bed and breakfast accommodation at Nonsuch Bay Resort for two people, including use of all sailing equipment and facilities. Simultaneously along the beach from mid-day DJs Easy P and Professor Irish will heat things up with beach games from DJ Sporty including cricket, football, a hot bikini competition, lime and spoon race, tug-o-war and more. Shuttles to the beach will run from Antigua Yacht Club all day and into the night. His Excellency Sir Dr. Rodney Williams, Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda Hon Steadroy Benjamin: Attorney General and Acting Prime Minster of Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador H.E. Mr. Brian Stuart Young Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Mr. Hu Qui Quan, Secretary to Ambassador H.E. Mr. Ren Gongping, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet Colleagues and Members of Parliament Senator, the Honourable Mary-Claire Hurst: Chairperson of the Antigua Port Authority, and Board of Commissioners Chairman of SJDC: Mr. Rohan Hector and Board Members, and members of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Chairman of the Antigua Pier Group: Mr. Craig Whyte, and Board Members Hoteliers, Taxi Drivers, Tour Operators and Business Owners Other Distinguished guests ,A very warm welcome to all of you. Today’s event marks a truly historical reversal in the fortunes of Antigua & Barbuda. Today, we celebrate the completion of the sweeping and dredging of our St. John’s Harbour. This of course is only the beginning of a grander plan to upgrade and improve on the legacy, dating back to 1968. I extend my sincere gratitude to all of you for joining us on this memorable and joyous occasion for Antigua and Barbuda. The completion of this first phase will lead to achievement of the master plan; the new St. John’s Harbour will catapult this country’s tourism future forward, making it a favored port-of-call for cruise lines. We intend to make Antigua and Barbuda an economic powerhouse in the Caribbean, and nothing less. That said, despite the competition from our neighbours and the turmoil that the industry has suffered in recent years, the Antigua & Barbuda Labor Party (ABLP) Administration, lead by Prime Minister, the Honourable Gaston Browne, is to be applauded for its relentless efforts in re-building the Cruise Industry in our fair country, achieving the growth which is experienced today. In fact, this season is forecast to be a bumper cruise season with over 700,000 cruise passengers visiting our shores, the positive effects of which have already been felt by all our local stakeholders. As the premier destination, we were the first country to have four dedicated cruise berths exclusively for Cruise ships in the entire Eastern Caribbean. At the time when the Nevis Street Pier was completed, Antigua and Barbuda enjoyed a tripling of our cruise arrival numbers. And now, after a 10-year slip, the new administration has demonstrated the priority it places on the cruise industry by its tangible efforts to address the long outstanding issues which stymied growth. We have returned the harbour to its original state. Truth be told, in many areas we have surpassed the original water depths so that we can now safely and adequately provide berths for the largest cruise vessels serving the region. It is the intention of this Government to continue the work that has been started by shortly commencing work on the piers and the landside facilities, to put the Cruise Industry firmly back on the Front Burner and to bring Cruise Tourism back to the pinnacle where it once was and more under this Labour Party Administration. These goals have propelled us to this point, where we will soon reclaim our place as the favored Caribbean cruise port and cruise destination—and it all begins right here, right now, on this very day. I’d like to take the time to highlight a few of the many achievements which marked this special journey to commence the renewal of St. John’s. First and foremost, I am exceedingly happy to report that not only did we set a time of completion and meet that deadline with flying colors, but we also achieved our goal well under our estimated cost. That is reason enough to wake up with a giant smile on our faces. For this our country offers profound thanks to Ambassador H.E. Mr. Ren Gongping and the Government of the People’s Republic of China who have always stood in solidarity with the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda, particularly as it relates to facilitating major infrastructural projects. Without your country’s support Your Excellency all this would not have been possible. We trust that the manner in which we delivered this project will motivate our Chinese partners to work even closer with us in ensuring that the funds promised may soon become available to allow the complete transformation of lower St. John’s and both our Cruise and Cargo Port facilities. Ladies and Gentlemen, the commitment by the Chinese government to finance the St John’s waterfront Development project to the tune of US$268 million, was the catalyst that encouraged the contractor China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) to advance the funds to effect this most urgent and necessary dredging works. To the Directors and local managers of CCECC we expressed our heartfelt appreciation. Your decision to advance the initial funds of US$3,997,000 to effect the works has already started yielding fruits with our cruise lines partners who have indicated that they shall be increasing their services to our lovely country. The Cruise lines are indeed excited that something that they have requested for a number of years is finally done and for your trust and support we say THANK YOU! To our main contractor Ansa Mcall, the people of Antigua and Barbuda are grateful for the level of professionalism displayed throughout this dredging project. Your bid was the best price and your deliverable reflects work of the highest quality. Your commitment in facilitating the transfer of knowledge to our local port Authority staff is noteworthy and we salute you for delivering this project ahead of schedule and within the budget allotted. To sub-contractors BOSKALIS, you remained true to your international acclaim by delivering top quality dredging works. Your efforts during this project have been outstanding. We are hopeful that the professionalism displayed can motivate all involved. You have enhanced the local talent and by so doing have left greater local capacity, which should benefit us in the future. You conducted your business regardless of the many obstacles during the busiest time of the year. For your commitment to the environment and ensuring that all local regulations were adhered to, we are most grateful. To all our Tourism, Cruise and Port stakeholders and everyone else who worked tirelessly to ensure that this project was delivered in such an efficient manner, I say a heartfelt thank you. You have all done Antigua and Barbuda proud! Secondly, the sweeping and dredging serve as a demonstration of our commitment to the industry and an understanding of their business. When we shared a progress report with our cruise line partners at the recent Miami Cruise Shipping Convention, we were met with the enthusiastic response: ‘we are now demonstrating that we understand their business”. For more than one decade, they have not seen an Antigua and Barbuda Government official. When Molwyn Joseph served as Minister of Tourism during the leadership of Prime Minister Lester Bird, it was the last visit of an Antigua and Barbuda official. The completion of this project has strengthened our relationships with our Partners, not least a major partner such as Carnival Cruise Lines. For example Carnival has been pleasantly delighted with our performance and in our ability to listen to our guests’ feedback and respond in kind. As a result, our destination rating in a region of 30 ports has jumped from #27 last October 2014 to #17 today. Leadership matters. We still have a lot to do but the results are encouraging and show that, for our critical cruise industry, the Government’s polices have already began to yield results. We are definitely moving in the right direction. This bodes well for not just Carnival but for all of our current and future cruise line partners. Ladies and gentlemen, please permit me to take a few moments to highlight some details from our plans for the renewal of St. Johns and the total transformation of our Port facilities. The funds are earmarked as follows: – To prepare parking areas and the establishment of a Transportation Hub. – The Construction of a seawall to secure the water front area in front of the Old Bryson’s building adjacent to the new Ferry Dock. – Repairs to roads, restructuring of gutters and sidewalks throughout lower St. John’s, including installation of waste run-off collection areas. – Provide a clear thoroughfare connecting Redcliffe Quay and Heritage Quay along Commissioners Alley, along with general repairs and maintenance of the entire area. – A modern Marina, with Hotel, Condominiums Casinos, High-end designer Shops, Green space, A museum and a host of other modern amenities. – A new modern cargo terminal, a new warehouse, Customs and Port headquarters, and a logistics park, Ladies and Gentlemen the entire new waterfront development will stretch from the Deepwater Harbour to the current Cruise facilities in Downtown St John’s. This is only the beginning of our plans for upgrading the Harbour and Port Facilities. In fact, the negotiations and discussions to facilitate these plans are already well under way both on the financing side and also the design and development side. The neglect that marked the previous administration is a mistake of the past. At Cruise Shipping Miami, we met with several industry and world-renowned architects and designers who have already made compelling presentations to us. As we seek to get the best possible design suited to our needs, we will ensure that whoever is finally selected must have an impressive track record of delivering major projects, done from conceptual design to construction and project management. Our potential partner for this phase of the development must also be respected in the industry and have strong relationships with the major cruise lines, which will result in strengthened ties with these giants of the Cruise Industry. I would like to leave you with a promise. I promise that this administration, led by the Honourable Gaston Browne, will intensify its efforts in reclaiming our former prestige as a top Caribbean port but, also, to be much much more. This season, our numbers are the best we’ve had in several years. The increased arrivals are a testimony to our efforts and our commitment to achieving these goals for the betterment of Antigua & Barbuda. Realize that the completion of this dredging project is only the beginning and that the future looks very bright indeed. I would like to use this opportunity to thank everyone who worked tirelessly to ensure that this project was delivered in such an efficient manner. You have all done Antigua and Barbuda proud. Ladies and Gentlemen you have my personal assurance and commitment from the entire Gaston Browne Administration that we will make certain that the resources are made available so that the, long-term improvements for the Port and City of St. John’s remain a top priority. The continued collaboration and support of all local cruise tourism stakeholders—in our quest to improve the cruise industry—will allow our country to guarantee a first-class experience for our valued cruise line partners and for the thousands of prospective cruise guests that visit our shores each year. What we are celebrating today, in the completion of the critical dredging works, is a promise made by the new Gaston Browne administration and a promise kept! Thank you all for attending. Minister of Antigua and Barbuda,Hon. Asot Michael Remarks Caribbean Customs Sports Tournament4/2/2015 His Excellency Dr. Rodney Williams, Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda
Honourable Paul Chet Greene, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Industry, Sports, Culture and National Festivals Senator the Honourable Lennox Weston, Minister of State within the Ministry of Finance and Corporate Governance Mr. Raju Boddu, Comptroller of Customs Mr. Randy Baltimore, President of the Antigua and Barbuda Customs Sports Club Respective Presidents for the Customs and Excise Sports and Culture Club in – British Virgin Islands – Barbados – Guyana – St. Lucia – St. Vincent and the Grenadines – Trinidad and Tobago – Turks and Caicos Good Evening. I am truly honoured to be given the esteemed pleasure to warmly welcome everyone here today, not only to Antigua and Barbuda, but also to the 40th Caribbean Customs Sports Tournament. As a nation, which has long been in the forefront of the move towards full Caribbean Integration, we are incredibly proud to be hosting all of you in our beautiful country. 40 years ago on an Easter Weekend, in 1975 the very first Caribbean Customs Sports Tournament was convened. This was first envisioned by Mr. Neville Monseque, the first Head of the Regional Training School of Trinidad and Tobago and Mr. Errol Douglas, a former comptroller of Customs in Barbados. The idea was borne out of the Easter Weekend that year when a group of Barbadian Customs Officers travelled to Trinidad and Tobago to engage their counterparts in cricket. Today, that tradition has grown to include all of our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean as well as to include additional sports – that are still intrinsic to the Caribbean culture – such as: football, table-tennis, basketball, and dominoes. What is particularly wonderful, and why we – once again – are very proud to be hosting the Caribbean Customs Tournament is that from its first weekend 40 years ago – it is now more than just a simple sporting competition between customs departments across the region. This Tournament also facilitates cultural exchanges, and fosters greater unity among customs units across our countries. It is an opportunity for building synergies and fostering networking, which are essential to the efficient operations of customs departments across the region, So please know you’re all part of something more – Indeed you are a vital spoke in the wheel of regional integration! I hope that you will keep this in mind during your stay, as we all do during many more years to come! Fostering integration through sport and regional tourism is something very near and dear to us and intrinsic to our culture and nature. I speak of us, as the Caribbean. We are particularly proud of our long storied history with cricket – a sport that has become hand in hand with the West Indies. It is impossible to think of Antigua and Barbuda without thinking of cricket – we are fiercely devoted to the sport. I understand that you will be competing at the Antigua Recreation Ground (ARG), which became the 52nd international test venue in the 1980-81 season. You will be playing on our own hallowed home of historic cricketing achievements such the fastest test century scored by the Master Blaster off just 56 balls against England back on 15 April 1986. The ARG was also the venue that birthed the now commonly used phrases like “Carnival Cricket” and “Party Stand” to describe the fun and festivities that characterise the way we celebrate and enjoy the game. It is one of the most exciting places in the world to observe and also play a match. We’re proud to have you play on such a venue that has nurtured some of the world’s richest talent in this sport, from Andy Roberts to Richie Richardson to Curtley Ambrose, and, of course, the most famous of all, Sir Viv Richards a living national hero. Fostering Integration through regional tourism is especially dear to my heart, as tourism and the hospitality industry is the economic lifeblood of our country. So whether you’re taking a quick Caribbean getaway, visiting for an sporting event or ‘tying the knot’’ Antigua and Barbuda is the perfect Island getaway. We are known for several things foremost of which is our warm hospitality. We know you will have a packed itinerary of exciting and competitive sporting activities but I would also like to take this opportunity to invite you to get out and explore, as there is so much more to experience. If time permits while here, I encourage you to take a trip over to Barbuda our eco friendly sister isle. Enjoy miles of secluded pink sand beaches, and be sure to take in a visit to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary. A visit to Barbuda is truly a proven antidote to stress. If you don’t have time to take it all in on this visit just remember that our calendar is packed with exciting events, so it’s always a good time to come back and visit. Come back to enjoy Cricket, or celebrate Carnival the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival with us. If you are more nautically inclined then visit us for Sailing week at the end of the winter season during the Caribbean largest and one of the world’s top sailing regattas. Ladies and Gentlemen The 40th Anniversary is traditionally known as the occasion to give the gift of a ruby – so for the next few days we give you the gift of ourselves as we do believe that Antigua and Barbuda is the perfect ruby gem to be hosting these wonderful games, and a backdrop for amazing, and time-honored displays of athletic prowess and teamwork. Once again on behalf of the Government and people of our beautiful country a warm welcome to you all…. and best wishes for a successful and fun filled sporting weekend. May this 40th Anniversary Sports Tournament be one that will long be remembered with warm memories that will entice you to return again and again to Antigua and Barbuda! Hon Porsha Stubbs, Minister of Tourism Turks & Caicos,
Dr. Kingsly Been, Chairman of Turks & Caicos Tourism Board Mrs. Lavern Skippings-Reynolds, Airport Manager, Providenciales International Airport Ralph Higgs, Director of Tourism, Turks & Caicos Airport Mr. Rohan Hector, Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Mr. Colin James CEO Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Ms. Paula Frederick-Hunte Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Ms. Shirlene Nibbs: Tourism Consultant in the Ministry of Tourism Other Distinguished guests and members of the media Ladies and Gentlemen. Good afternoon. First of all, I would like to warmly welcome everyone to V. C. Bird International Airport today, and to thank you for being here to celebrate and share this exciting occasion in tourism, for not only Antigua and Barbuda, but even more so for our close friends from The Turks and Caicos, Islands as well as British Airways. Today marks a very important step in the gaining importance of the Caribbean for the UK and European tourism industry. We ,a Part of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are welcoming the inaugural flight of a British Airways service that will transit Antigua and where the aircraft will continue onwards to the Turks & Caicos Islands. I believe I can speak for everyone here today by saying that Antigua and Barbuda have long had a mutually beneficial and respected relationship with the tourism industry from the UK – and beyond – a relationship that we have done much to foster to ensure all visitors know they will be embraced with open arms when they arrive. Figures for the UK tourism market to the Caribbean as a whole have been showing positive growth, and I believe we can officially say that the Brits love us, and of course, that we love the Brits! In fact we look forward with much expectation to welcome thousands of English cricket fans for the upcoming Test Series with the West Indies which will be held in Antigua from April 13th -17th. This rise in popularity of both Antigua and Barbuda and The Turks & Caicos Islands as top destinations is shown by British Airways agreeing to add a direct link between our two destinations. Additionally, with British Airways being one of the world’s largest carriers, it means that not only will UK residents, but so will many others from across Europe connecting via Gatwick, be able to visit our dual destinations even more easily. This new air service also means that for the first time in the history of our two countries there will be direct flights between the Eastern Caribbean and the Turks and Caicos Islands. This new flight means new opportunities and choices available to us for increased business activities and closer collaboration. The end result will be greater economic growth while, simultaneously building the spirit of regional integration between our two countries. We are confident more choice will equal more visitors for everyone here, and everyone in the Turks and Caicos Islands. I do truly stress the ‘us’ as this new flight will offer an increase in options not only for those wanting to visit Antigua and then visit the Turks and Caicos, but also vice versa for those visiting Turks & Caicos now being able to easily visit Antigua. We know when passengers are flying 8 hours and longer from Europe that they truly want to explore the Caribbean and this direct flight allows them to easily, comfortably, and quickly travel between these two, I would say, unique and perfect destinations in the Caribbean. This new air service comes with unique advantages. It actually means visitors from the UK and Europe as well as the Eastern Caribbean wanting to visit our friends in the Turks & Caicos Islands will be able to do so without travelling via a US port. This is a major benefit as transferring at an airport in the US means obtaining a regular visitor’s VISA or ESTA pre-clearance visas for all non-US citizens. Not only is there a costinvolved for obtaining a visa, but untold amounts of time is spent standing in immigration and custom lines while transiting most US airports. We can promise all travelers transferring directly to Turks and Caicos a smoother, quicker and more enjoyable experience – plus an even more wonderful experience if they choose to stop-over! As part of our investment to prove to visitors how important they are to us, and to ensure that all visitors receive the best travel experience possible on our island, we will be opening a new airport terminal very shortly. This will feature not only the latest technology for our passengers to avail of, but also first class duty free shopping. Additionally the overall passenger experience will be greatly enhanced by expedited processing procedures with multiple VIP and Premium Passenger First Class lounges. Finally I would like to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to my colleague Minister, of Tourism from the Turks and Caicos Islands the Honourable Porsha Stubbs to be present with us in June to help us celebrate the opening of our new airport which will mark the commencement of a new phase of growth in tourism for our beloved country. May the start of this inaugural direct service between Antigua and Barbuda and the Turks and Caicos Islands mark the beginning of a new the phase of friendship, cooperation and growth in this vital industry between our countries. Thank you. Speech of Asot Michael in the meeting about New strategies for Antigua and Barbuda Tourism3/10/2015 Good morning Colleagues … First of all, it’s a great pleasure to welcome the combined team of the Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority to this important meeting. Indeed, I expect this meeting to produce plans, strategies and outcomes that will set the tourism industry on an upward trajectory. From this meeting, I want new, creative ideas that will serve to considerably enhance our place in the world market as one of the leading tourism destinations globally. I want to hear what my friend, Ambassador Sir Ron Sanders, once described to me as “disruptive thinking” – thinking that questions the norms and pushes the boundaries of the imagination. You, this group assembled here, are the custodians of our nation’s economic growth. For tourism is our main industry accounting for almost 70% of our gross domestic product, earning 90% of our foreign exchange, and employing directly and indirectly the majority of people in both our public and private sector. I cannot stress enough the value and significance of tourism to every man, woman and child in our society. Without tourism, our country would be a wasteland and our people reduced to carriers of water and hewers of wood. The responsibility that we have – all of you and me, as the Minister of Tourism, – is huge. It is a sacred trust that we must fulfill on behalf of our country, and all who dwell within it. If we are to fulfill that trust, we must see it as an honorable and vital task. We must think of achieving what others believe to be impossible. I recently read something that Sir Dennis Byron, the President of the Caribbean Court of Justice said. I would like to repeat it to you, because it is relevant to you, to me, and to all of us who must succeed if our country is to flourish and our people prosper. It is this: “The most successful people in the history of the world are those who refused to give up in the face of impossible odds. Thomas Edison created the light bulb after one thousand failed attempts. Abraham Lincoln ran for public office six times before winning the Presidency. Vincent Van Gogh sold one painting in his lifetime and his most expensive work is now valued at $142.7 million. Colonel Sanders’ idea for a fried chicken restaurant was rejected 1,009 times before being accepted by an investor. Twelve publishers rejected JK Rowling’s book about a boy wizard called Harry Potter. Oprah Winfrey was fired from her first job and told she was not the right fit for television”. What makes these people enormously successful is their refusal to give up; their refusal to accept that they were too small, or that they did not have enough resources. They kept focussed on the achievement of their goals and they let none persuade them that they could not overcome the obstacles. According to a Japanese proverb you must be prepared to fall seven times and get up eight. The great Muhammed Ali put it best when he said: “Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential”. My friends, this is our first meeting as the leadership team. We should have had a week to explore every option; to discuss every scenario; to plan for the challenges and to map-out how we will grab the opportunities. But, our time is limited, and ours is a country in a hurry. We want results sooner not later. So, we will cram into one day today what others may want many days to accomplish. That is why I started with the theme of success and the theory of impossibility. Impossibility is potential; it is a dare not an edict; it is an opinion, not a fact. So, I want us all to embrace fully the sacred trust we carry for our nation – and, indeed, for ourselves. This nation looks to us to perform and to perform well. If we let-down the people, we let down ourselves. And we must do neither. We have many projects coming on stream. We have the responsibility to fill those rooms. But, while that is happening, we have a few existing properties that are non-performing. We have to figure out what can be done to make those properties vibrant again. We are facing fierce competition now – not only from our Caribbean neighbours, but also from further afield. How are we to meet that competition and better it? These are the issues that we must confront today, and every day after we leave here. And we must do so as a team; as a collective with a single-minded purpose, and a bold and unshakable resolve. I wish I could guarantee you that the days of little or no product development are over, and that minimal destination-advertising is a thing of the past, and that sparse public relations are over. But my government inherited a critical and perilous financial situation, and even as we are pledged to fund our tourism industry better than before, the complexities of our situation gives no guarantees. My Government will strive very hard to put the resources into tourism as the engine of our growth – the Prime Minister as the Minister of Finance has given that undertaking, and he means it. He is a banker and a businessman. He knows that there can be no profit without investment; no returns without spending. But we have a role to play. To do much with little. To do more with less. To reject that anything is impossible, and instead to show how it is possible. That is why we must spare no time or effort in making tourism vigourous and productive. To the extent that we – this team – can galvanize, energize and revitalize this industry, to that extent we will deliver what is expected of us; we will generate more revenues and earn a larger share of the resources to make our country flourish and our people prosper. Like many of you, I continue to expand my own knowledge of the business of tourism and I’m learning quickly. As we have our exchange today, I want you to be open with the facilitators and with yourselves. Our overriding objective of the next two days is focused on the plans that will be produced and effective means by which – as a team – we will deliver concrete and measurable results for the benefit of our country. In any free market economy we continually face challenges - - tourism is no different - - but how we view these challenges defines us! Do we choose to see the challenges as ‘opportunities” or as ‘obstacles’? Are they a moment to despair or a chance to do something different? A great deal of wasted energy can be spent focusing on a negative mindset which takes delight in complaining - mindsets like "I can't", "I won't", "I don't want to" and "I shouldn't have to". But, we should all recall what put Barack Obama – an American Black in the White House. It was a simple phrase, but a powerful one in which he and millions of Americans placed their belief. Three little words that moved an entire nation – “Yes, we can”. Well, yes, we can too. And we can do it best, if we do it together. Your role now is to roll up your sleeves and believe not only in the value and importance of the sacred trust that has been given to you by this nation, but also to believe in yourselves that – yes, you can. And, you will. My friends, our task is agreed. The path is clear and the objective looms large ahead of us. Let us run with resolve the race that is set before us. Let us get tourism to work. Thank you. (St. John’s, Antigua) - Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Asot Michael, has charged technicians in The Ministry of Tourism and The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, to be custodians of the country’s economic growth.
“We have many projects coming on stream. We have the responsibility to fill those rooms. But, while that is happening, we have a few existing properties that are non-performing. We have to figure out what can be done to make those properties vibrant again.” The Tourism Minister made the remarks today as he met with over thirty-five technicians from the product development and marketing bodies of the organisations under his leadership, in a two day strategy and planning workshop. Tourism senior officials from Antigua and Barbuda as well as the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority’s Overseas Office converged in the destination for the sessions. Included were CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority - Colin C. James, Rohan Hector - Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Jean Marc Flambert – UK& Europe VP of Sales and Marketing, Marie Walker – North American VP of Sales and Marketing, Cherrie Osborne, UK & Europe Director of Tourism, Charmaine Spencer – Regional Marketing Mananger, Pauline Frederick-Hunte, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, ShirleneNibbs -Tourism Consultant and other consultant teams. The Tourism Minister in his foreword to the team said: “I expect this meeting to produce plans, strategies and outcomes that will set the tourism industry on an upward trajectory. From this meeting, I want new, creative ideas that will serve to considerably enhance our place in the world market as one of the leading tourism destinations globally.” “We are facing fierce competition now – not only from our Caribbean neighbours, but also from further afield. How are we to meet that competition and better it?”, said the Minister. The strategy session was led by consultant,ShirleneNibbs. Nibbs working with the team, presented the strategic overview of the tourism industry having made an assessment of the vision, mission and brand promise for the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism organisations. Technicians focused on identifying key areas of the product that were critical to the success of the industry and on immediate plans of action to be taken. An evaluation was done on the accommodation, yachting, cruise and transportation sectors as well as on the visitor experience. CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James also announced new hotel developments coming on stream in the near future, and the economic opportunities available. Airlift and Airport developments presentations highlighted new flights for Antigua and Barbuda and increases in airlift within various markets. “The destination is well served. We continue to make sure we grow the airlift, and the new airport allows us to grow this airlift from non-traditional markets,” said James. James also announced Eden Viaggi, the new Italian Charter for the destination which will be flying to Antigua from December come 2015. Also announced today, were the 2015 marketing plans for the North American market and the UK, Ireland and Europe market. Within the UK, plans have been designed to target travellers with the potential to travel during the off peak periods of May/June and September to October, while in the North American market the focus will be on repositioning and recreating the buzz for the destination. The tourism strategy and planning sessions being held have a number of objectives objective is to deliver plans to galvanize, energize and revitalize the industry; to create concrete and measurable results, generate more revenues and earn a larger share of the resources for the benefit of our country. Day two of the session continues tomorrow with PR Plan Presentations, technicians engaging in further group interactive planning sessions, and a walk-through of the new airport terminal for Antigua. The cronyism, nepotism and promotion of unqualified persons by Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar have been now exported to the CARICOM and international posts. The two most recent nominations she made have failed to receive both Caribbean and wider international support.
The first of these failed nominations was Mr. Hamid Ghany, a known insider to the Mrs. Persad-Bissessar’s cabal and propagandist for her directives. He was nominated for the Secretary General of the 79-nation African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group even though he had no relevant experience in trade negotiations, in the workings of the ACP group, in international affairs or in relations with the European Union. Mr. Ghany’s candidacy was not taken seriously by any country. When he turned-up at a meeting of the Council of ACP, no ACP Ambassador knew him – not even those from the Caribbean. Hence, Trinidad and Tobago was treated with scant regard and he spectacularly failed to be elected. Remarkably, Trinidad and Tobago did not send its Foreign Affairs Minister, Winston Dookeran, to that ACP Council meeting. Instead, another Persad-Bissessar known-crony, Bhoe Tewari, was sent to the Council meeting. He, too, was unknown to the Council members and his representation of Ghany made no impact. The same Minister Dr. Bhoe Tewari is the other nomination that Mrs. Persad-Bissessar is trying to foist on the Caribbean and the Commonwealth. This time, it is for the post of Secretary General of the 53-nation Commonwealth. Dr. Tiwari is relatively unknown in the Caribbean and the Commonwealth, as a diplomat. He has no experience in diplomacy and Commonwealth affairs. He is a poor candidate. Since July last year, when Mrs. Persad-Bissessar put forward his name to the 12 Commonwealth Caribbean countries for possible endorsement by the Region, he has been firmly rejected. Twice at Commonwealth Caribbean meetings (in December in Cuba in the margins of the Cuba-CARICOM Summit and in the Bahamas in February). Dr. Tewari has received no support, except from Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar. In other words, from the 12 Commonwealth Caribbean governments, he got 1 vote – Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s. These nominations of unsuitable cronies of Mrs. Persad-Bissessar are making Trinidad and Tobago the laughing stock of the CARICOM region and the international community. Sir Ronald Sanders, secured the support of 9 of the 12 governments. I want to make it quite clear that if Trinidad and Tobago had an outstanding, an electable candidate – and if we did not already hold two of the three top posts in the inter-governmental Commonwealth – the PNM would have backed such a candidate to the hilt. But we do not have such a candidate and we cannot expect to hold the top three posts in the Commonwealth. Therefore, the PNM fully supports the Antigua and Barbuda nominee who already has majority support from the 12 Commonwealth Caribbean countries. He is an outstanding candidate, recently honoured by the UWI at the St. Augustine Campus, with Honorary Doctor of Letter (D. Litt) for his outstanding work in the Caribbean and the Commonwealth. He is also a well-known Caribbean man. This cavalier approach of cronyism and nepotism which passes for diplomacy under this UNC government, has the potential to hurt the interest of Trinidad and Tobago in future dealings when Trinidad and Tobago put forward qualified candidates who may be shunned by our CARICOM colleagues in response to our current behaviour where we failed to acknowledge superior candidates from other territories, put forward our own poor quality candidates, who do not represent the best of Trinidad and Tobago but prepared to back them to the end. I am calling on the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago to act in the interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago by withdrawing the unsuitable candidacy of Minister Dr. Bhoe Tewari and provide our prestige and support to a consensus CARICOM candidate so that in the future when we put forward candidates that have what it takes to rally consensus from our neighbours, we would be assured of such support and our ambitions will stand a realistic chance of success. Dr. Keith Rowley Leader of the Opposition |