Tourism – My Business, Your Business, Everyone’s Business
Tourism in the Caribbean is vital to the economy. According to an article in the Jamaica Observer, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has declared tourism “to be Jamaica’s number one driver of economic growth and prosperity for many years to come.” The article further states that Mr. Bartlett pointed out that in 2022, Jamaica will welcome 3.3 million tourists, with estimated foreign exchange earnings of approximately US$3.7 billion.
Tourism is contributing to the economic growth of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It provides employment and contributes to gross domestic product (GDP). But we hope to attract more tourists to this beautiful country and make every stay enjoyable for all tourists so that they will come back with more friends and family in the future. As such, we must strengthen our strategies. The transportation department needs to reconsider, ensuring that most minivans are off the road around 8 or 9 pm and tourists have transportation to get out of their hotels or apartments if they want to go to a nightclub at 10 pm. becomes difficult. In other Caribbean countries, it is very easy to get transportation late at night. Birdwatching can be further developed and strategically put money in the pockets of local residents. We can explore the possibility of cable rides to observe different species of birds in their natural habitat. You can also establish a business renting out binoculars to tourists and locals when birdwatching becomes a “boom.” Forest conservation is paramount to successful birdwatching. Deforestation eradicates birds’ natural habitat.
The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Agriculture will work together to implement a program (agritourism) in which tourists will visit farms across the country and learn how specific crops are grown under the theme “Farm to Fork”. can do. For example, Dasheen, Edds, Yam, Tania, Ginger, etc. Tourists pay farmers a small fee to visit their farms and receive education about these crops. You can also learn about how dasheen leaves are used to make callaloo soup, and you can also sell callaloo soup after your farm visit. Soups include dasheen, edzu, yam, tania, etc. Tourists visiting farms with fruit trees pay a small fee to these farmers, and after the visit local fruit drinks and guava jelly are sold and available for purchase by tourists. . Other local products such as tamarind balls, sugar cake and plantain chips can also be sold to tourists. These are psychological marketing strategies to ensure that tourism funds flow to the lower classes of the country and to market local products. . Has anyone thought of buying a boat and starting a “parasailing business”? Parasailing is a unique experience for tourists and locals alike, as it offers an aerial view of the beautiful, pristine beaches of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Cruise ships are docked at Kingstown’s cruise ship berth, but there is a lack of local food and drink available for tourists to purchase. Tourists aren’t coming to SVG to eat KFC or drink Pepsi, they’re looking for a unique experience. There are a lot of KFC and Pepsi in their hometown. There is also a need to sell more crafts and local food and drinks at popular tourist destinations. Some vendors and taxi drivers are guilty of overcharging tourists, and greed is bad for your business. Excessive charging can deter tourists from visiting our country. Littering on beaches, parks, rivers, waterfalls, and streets must be stopped. Please throw away your trash in the trash can. When you clean your house, do you litter in the trash can? Why would you throw your trash anywhere else? What other ideas do you have for improving St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ tourism product?
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions or editorial position of St. Vincent Times.Comments can be submitted to the following address: [email protected].
