Excerpts of an ADDRESS TO THE TCHTA Delivered By The Hon Leader of the Opposition

 

Excerpts of an ADDRESS TO THE TCHTA

Delivered By The Hon Leader of the Opposition

 

 

What a pleasure to briefly address you this afternoon.

I promise you that I will be keep my comments brief but pointed.

Congratulations to the newly elected Executive Body and also on the hosting of your Annual Star Awards which I believe can only enhance the Industry. I have been asked by a number of you as to my non -attendance.  I was unfortunately unaware of the Event but believe that it is an Event worth supporting.

I need not tell you how important Tourism is to our economy, nor how it will perhaps remain the largest Industry for the forseeable future, nor consequently how critical that makes you the direct players in this Industry. You are all aware of this. I would say to you that I appreciate what you do and especially on those days when you perhaps want to knock out a guest but remember in critical time, the possible implications. The life of persons in the Tourism Industry is faced with many challenges but we seem to be doing well but much more can be done on all fronts.

I am hoping to be a part of a great message/sustainable educational campaign  to all residents directly or non – directly working in the Industry to ensure that they understand that we are all a part of the Industry as Tourists interact with all peoples from all walks of life.

I recently began a Tour of the resorts in an effort to better understand your challenges and so that we can familiarize ourselves with each other. I have met with most of you in this room and am on my way to the remaining in short order. Some people think I am too direct but I think it is always in our best interest if you understand my position at the outset.

Tourism as it is the life line of economy, it stands that there is an expectation that residents will benefit from jobs and businesses in the Industry. It is also important that businesses are not unnecessarily challenged in carrying out its operation. I acknowledge that much can be done to assist business men and women in dealing with the public sector particularly in the area of the application process for work permits. With the size of our population and the level of skill in many areas, it is expected that there will be a need for foreign labour but our challenge then is how do we ensure that we understand each other.

Challenges

I see the challenges faced by this Industry as threats to us all and I have already committed to addressing them and supporting efforts where I can.

1.     Crime remains a growing concern and though the rate remains low for TCI, the crimes affecting some of our tourists have been violent . These few but seriously impacting incidences are rather unfortunate and every effort must be made to ensure that victims are treated “as gold”. There must be a better handling of these matters by our Police Department and I have suggested a Tourism Laison Department with Officers who are directly responsible for follow up and for the provision of information to victims. 

 

We can and must do more to ensure that our tourists are safe and that they become repeat visitors and not unhappy and negative advertisements for TCI.

 

2.     Another challenge relates to the cleanliness of the Island. In short order I will present a complete sustainable education program to the Government for support. The national “spic and span” Program will encourage clean ups but goes beyond that, it will educate from the school children up and will also fine and enforce laws for littering, un-kept yards and creating other unsightly mess. My Party has begun clean ups and are participating in clean ups  in an effort to promote healthy living and to address the concerns we receive from many tourists and residents alike.

 

This is critical and your support in a full and ongoing promotion will also be solicited.

 

3.     Training and Service Standards is a concern I am sure. Trained workers is a challenge that must be worked on between the Government and the Industry. There must be a plan for sustaining and keeping the best in the Industry and for motivating staff. I applaud some of the resort’s individual efforts to recognize their workers. This will and has gone a long way with many.

 

4.     The country is again undergoing a review of the Immigration Laws. Hopefully we can address the problems we know exist and put the necessary laws and procedures in place.

 

5.     The loss of the New York flight has also caused some concern and I understand that there may a chance of regaining it or new routes.

 

6.     Lack of attractions is also a challenge for many but this requires a detailed survey of what our brand tourist wants and this is not a venture that we should embark on blindly without the market’s guidance.

 

7.     The quality of transportation is also a rising challenge that can be easily addressed with strong partnerships. I have had the privilege of being able to address many Taxi drivers who understand their vital role in the industry and who I see as important as any player but it is for a deliberate effort amongst all players to determine to enjoy better working relationships.

 

8.     Food safety and concerns will remain an ongoing challenge with heightened sensors. Training is tied to this as well and there must be ongoing training in these areas. When we can prevent, we must do everything within our powers to. We have suffered great loss over the closure of the Cruise Ship Port a few months back and approximately 65k tourists were detoured elsewhere. Our coffers can not afford a repeat of these experiences. It is therefore a responsibility that Resorts  and Government regulatory arms must take seriously.

 

9.     Last but not least is the challenge of seasonality. I believe with a strong commitment and a serious attempt to court new markets, we can lessen the impact of the slow periods.

 

But amidst the myriad of challenges, there is bright hope for the Industry. There is nothing that I have identified that with a greater effort cannot be met with some measure of success. I am pleased to say that the Opposition has made representation on all of these areas and will continue to support efforts to grow and sustain this sector and to ensure excellence in standards in service and guest experience.

 I have suggested as some of you have told me that a Chicago flight can also work well for the Islands and a real approach to the South American market especially Brazil. Whilst you are competitors, we must still appreciate there will be much more in common than what divided you and collectively so much more can be achieved if you present a united front and positions on matters that affects you.

I am also hopeful that there will be a real effort to review our product and that monies will be expended in this crucial area. No Government can never spend as much as we need on product development and marketing but there must be a much more serious financial commitment than what we have seen recently and much more prudent spending on areas that really matters than what we had seen before. Much greater effort to use the media and social media included to market. TCI has to find its niche and its unique product. I am not convinced that beaches will carry us for as long as we would like. They will always be a major attraction but there are persons who want to feel the true TCI culture who leaves not satisfied and we must remember that market.

I believe that there is a ready market that pulls into the Dock in Grand Turk each week and not enough is being done to woo these guests to become land tourists. Last week I visited the Port and interacted with a few tourists who had no knowledge of where they were but had a lot of questions. One has already contacted a law firm for purchase of land and have actively searched for information on Hotels in Provo for next year.

There is promise if there is greater cooperation between all partners from the street to the main Industry players to the Government. 

I would like to see, each Tourist as they leave asked on a survey of their experience and this information shared and garnered to create a product they wish to see.

 I would like to see more of the skilled hotel workers reaching into our schools and sharing their skills but also in an effort to bring them into the Industry. Chefs can help in a Foods Class. That will be appreciated.

Any support rendered for youth programs lessens the chance for tourists to become victims to crimes.

Any support for training enhances the Industry and makes the guests experience more memorable and pleasant.

We must all coexist in this environment and it can only get better if we recognize that the end objective for all players is the same. There must be a greater effort to cooperate.

In the last meeting of the House, my colleagues and I were successful in having a Motion passed for a National Symposium. This forum will bring together the Government and Opposition and Public and Private Sector to discuss the path forward on big ticket items. I look forward to the Think Tank on Tourism but I encourage you to work as much as possible as a Unit and be proactive for the benefit of this Industry. Our country is truly in your hands.

Thank you.