Mr Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and congratulate the Tourist Board on the recent headlines that suggest that TCI is moving towards all year round tourism. This is a positive thing at this time but whilst I am grateful for the much needed revenue in this period, I wish to caution us all to be careful to continue to put so many eggs in one basket. In my Budget Response this year, I raise this matter of such a high dependence on tourism and the fact or reality that this industry is fickle and cannot be relied on so heavily. I again caution us all to move quickly in the right direction to begin to diversify our economy. Another Industry will not be a replacement perhaps but it can add to and this can only spell good economics.
While we focus on external shocks, we must look at internal factors that can also negatively impact this vital Industry. I note three today Mr Speaker:
Crime
Mr Speaker even as we celebrate, we have internal factors that can gnaw away at this vital industry. The increase in crime that is trending up for the year and the increase cases of gun violence, though small in comparison does not spell Beautiful By Nature. (Mr Speaker please allow me to digress for a split second to recognize the success of the Police a few days ago in getting two illegal weapons off the street through police led intelligence – it is a great start). We must work collectively on this issue and take a more aggressive approach.
International Negative Report on Forced Sexual Labour
Then Mr Speaker I note the fact that while we were quick to speak to the report that sought to blacklist us for non – compliance with international regulations, the Government has been silent on multiple reports (3 that I am aware of) that include these Islands among countries where there exists forced sexual labour. Mr Speaker this also has negative implications for our country’s reputation. I wait to hear the Government’s official response on this issue and then to address where these reports are coming from and to deal with the issue.
Interaction with tourists
Then Mr Speaker, equally important is how we interact with tourists. I must state that I was so disappointed when I was informed of a recent incident that involved an individual driving a Government vehicle in Providenciales who frightened a tourist threatening her arrest or rather “detention” for feeding a stray dog. Mr Speaker the tourist who had been coming to this country for several decades each year and who contribute to charities and help while here, was so afraid to leave this country for fear of being arrested for feeding a stray dog. Mr Speaker the context in which this occurred showed the ugliness of this country and the abuse of persons in certain offices. Mr Speaker I raise this because I sit with fingers crossed hoping that this report does not grow legs and move with the speed or mileage that sad stories such as this usually do. Mr Speaker I raise this here on this platform to highlight an obvious threat to this booming industry – that is the way we interact with tourists. I wish to remind us each of the role we all must play and the fact that what we do to tourists can bite us and Mr Speaker also to remind us that we all have a role to play in protecting and preserving this vital Industry. I will follow this report and seek to have this matter raised in another forum because these type incidences Mr Speaker will only hurt us all.
