Private, public sector must help Caribbean tourism markets

Change Engine Consultant/Caribbean Business Enterprise Trust Inc Dr Basil Springer says both the private and public sector have the responsibility to expand Caribbean tourism markets. Interviewed after moderating the round table sessions, during CMEx Media Conference 2011 at St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, Springer said: “The tourism industry is the largest in the Caribbean. They have a responsibility to lead the system and expand the markets. They have a responsibility to assist with the recovery of the economies in the face of the recent recession.” He noted the tourism product could be further enhanced via the long stay cruise. Springer added: “It could be enhanced by the long stay cruise tourism product and by diversification from the traditional markets in the Western Hemisphere, the Eastern Seabed of North America and Great Britain.”

Seek BRIC help
He also noted the BRIC nations—Brazil, Russia, India and China could come on board in promoting Caribbean tourism. Springer said the tourism potential of the Caribbean was referred to as the “World’s Best Kept Secret” by people from the BRIC nations. He said: “The BRIC nations do not feel the presence of the Caribbean markets even though they have a need to diversify. They need to tap into the Caribbean markets.”

CMEx tourism interventions
To date, CMEx has promoted tourism by encouraging governments to treat tourism as an export industry bringing in valuable foreign exchange, provided neutral platform for government, civil society and private sector to deliberate the benefits of tourism. CMEx has also underscored the direct benefit to communities of sustainable tourism.