Salutations removed
I am … absolutely in love with this year’s theme. In my mind, it embodies all that needs to be said to take care of this bustling but fragile industry.
In the single phrase, “Tourism is key”, we are reminded of the fundamental and important major role this industry plays in our economy when key is used as an adjective. When key is used as a noun, we think of unlocking a knob which is usually on a door – we are then reminded of the many doors that tourism as a key can unlock.
“It begins with me” reminds us of the role each and every one of us must play. From the street cleaner to the Hotel Manager; from school child to Police from ordinary citizen to leaders. Directly and indirectly whatever we do, will impact our industry positively or negatively.
I have two watch phrases in my mind quality service and personal attention. Many of us have had the opportunity to be tourists at some stage or will at some stage. Imagine what you will want: cleanliness from the streets to the room; they want to feel safe. They simply want quality service and personal service that matches high end tourism. We have to make a concerted effort to offer the best service that we can ensuring training and incentives for exceptionalism and excellence. Tourists want to feel that we value them and we care about what product we offer them and then as leaders we must be careful the decisions that we make lest they ruin the product that we have nurtured over decades and the hard work of many.
“It starts with me”: I have had many opportunities to speak with tourists who have had good and bad experiences and some of their experiences stem from attitudes from persons that have not yet caught up with their crucial role in this industry. I believe that the outreach must be wider and players in the industry must be subjected to full training and exposure to a much broader awareness campaign.
I think that no one can fathom for the foreseeable future another industry that will bring the yields that this Industry can and has brought, one that allows for so many stakeholders to play direct and indirect roles in the growth and sustainability of the product that we have developed. I long to see deliberate, nurtured growth that will see more of us in leadership roles and a greater understanding and commitment from the residents of these Islands to the importance of this key industry.
It will be remiss of me if I do not recognize the Junior Minister of Tourism who will be ending his term at the end of this Symposium. Hon Elliot, did us proud, you did me proud. We are proud of him and how he carried himself over the year but what a finish. I watched with great patience for 3 hrs and with great pride, his performance in Curacao. He won! It is as simple as that. Will has been a shining example as to what our youth can do when we provide them with the opportunity. I say thank you to Will and pray that God go ahead of all of his endeavours and bless the path. This is the best partners that you can have if you want sustainable growth for this industry. Use our youth!
Congratulations Miss Clare for your work among our youth, we are indeed grateful for your role.
I wish to welcome each of you and to thank you for your commitment evidenced by your presence here. I say welcome to our visitors/guest speakers and encourage you to take time to enjoy the world’s number beach on the best Island on earth.
Congratulations to the Tourist Board, our #1 Director and Team, you the valued leaders and stakeholders. Your successes are our successes. I caution us all though to get everyone on board quickly from leaders to ordinary citizen, lest we look with down cast eyes at what use to be and what could have been. We must arrest crime, uncleanliness and less than high end service. We can certainly do this all together when we unite around this awesome theme “Tourism is key: it starts with me.
