by Virgil Leonty
With the imminent start to the 2023 cruise season, the Minister with Responsibility for Tourism, Hon. Dr. Ernest Hilaire, is predicting a bumper season.
Dr. Hilaire made his forecast following a meeting with tourism stakeholders. Visitors and locals alike can expect improvements to the cruise product, he said.
“There are quite a few things we need to work on. One of those would be the heavy demand for beach facilities on cruise days. A significant number of cruise passages want to spend at day at the beach, so they want recreational facilities—food, drink, and water. At the Vigie and Reduit beaches you can see the crowding that takes place, so we are looking at a number of other spots that we can develop.”
While the aim for developing other areas is to create options to limit crowding at the more popular beaches, there will be upgrades to beach facilities across the board.
“We also need to upgrade the facilities at the beaches—there is a critical need especially for washroom facilities. At Reduit Beach, for example, visitors end up using the facilities of restaurants and other establishments. So we made some decisions at the government level to identify more areas that we can develop. Another improvement would be to enhance security. Because of heavy congestion on a cruise day, we need to manage it properly.”
The National Conservation Authority will have a greater presence in managing the crowds this season. Dr. Hilaire said this responsibility will transition to Global Ports Holding (GPH), once it assumes management of the ports.
Additionally, under the government’s recent agreement with GPH, the Vendor’s Arcade will be redone, the old customs building will be broken down, and a boardwalk will be built along the harbour front. When completed, the boardwalk will extend from the Castries Port into the city. It is expected to create a hub of economic activity for cruise vendors.
SOURCE: Government Information Service
On the one hand the Minister says that beached such as Reduit need washroom facilities ( years overdue ), then immediately moves on saying new areas will be developed.
Please, please provide decent toilets on Reduit beach first as this is already the main destination for many tourists, not just from cruise ships!
Great “hype euphoria” … let’s see it happen!!
Notice, no time frame has been established.
Notice, no managing department has been mentioned.
This project needs to be accomplished – but what about maintenance?
Staff to manage these facilities?
Proper security to be implemented.
I sincerely hope much effort goes into this project, and that it is fully looked into for sustainability and proper staffing.
My comments are mostly for the “beach facilities”.
The boardwalk continuing into the city SOUNDS fine – but again, management and security “… The National Conservation Authority will have a greater presence in managing the crowds this season. Dr. Hilaire said this responsibility will transition to Global Ports Holding (GPH), once it assumes management of the ports. …” This sounds ominous!
Mr. Hilaire I really hope next year and the few years you guys remain in office that it will be a bit better in the closed season by allowing a a few ships every other week. I remember when UWP was in power even in the slow season cruise ships were coming in but now this entire closed season we have not seen any ship dock at our harbors. Please let this not be the case from next year closed season.
Sounds excellent.
great news. please ensure that traffic flow on Jeremie St. Workers and students have to get to their destinations.
Man go full your slp hacks with your sweet talk BBC
There should be handicapped access to the beach. A path that is sand free and a wheelchair or walker can easily get to water’s edge.
@Hot Skull if is the BBC you want Allen Chastanet can’t give you that, last time he came with chandèl mou (soft candle)