by Eulana Weekes
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Tourism and Transport Officials of St. Eustatius (Statia) and St. Kitts recently met to exchange ideas and discuss ways to mutually cooperate and boost travel between the two islands.
The discussion was held on Friday, February 17, 2023 at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.
During an interview with Kittitian Heartbeat, Charles Lindo, Director of Tourism in the Government of St. Eustatius said his team accomplished their mission by visiting St. Kitts.
We have a good group of individuals that came on this mission because we’re finding some synergy. We have a diaspora type of setting. We have Kittitians that are living on Statia and we have persons on St.Kitts that are familiar or have families on Statia. Definitely, this is something that we needed to do and with the marketing strategies and the joint marketing discussions that we have had, the twinning that we talked about, St.Kitts as a hub- if you ask the question if we have found what we came here to look for, “yes.”
Likewise, Ms. Tivanna Wharton- Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism said the discussions were fruitful, outlining that the dialogue between the parties will allow for travel convenience and a boost to the Tourism Industry in the islands.
“The meeting this morning was extremely fruitful. It provides that foundation to form a formidable partnership between the Government of St.Kitts and Nevis and the Government of St. Eustatius, specifically with regards to transportation for us to extend our reach to visitors from the island of St. Eustatius. With the commissioning of the Makana Ferry, we now provide that avenue for locals here to visit Statia conveniently and likewise for visitors to come to our shores conveniently from Eustatius. The discussions will continue to evolve. The discussions will continue to build upon what we currently have as a means of extending our Tourism product, in ways that will benefit our local stakeholders and the Citizens of St.Kitts and Nevis.”
The St. Eustatius delegates traveled to and from St. Kitts via the new transport hub Makana Ferry Services, which provides travel opportunities not only to St.Kitts, St. Eustatius, but also to St. Maarten and St. Barths.
It is expected that the partnership between St.Kitts and St. Eustatius will ensure economic benefits for the islands and for hotels and other small businesses in the Tourism sector. Additionally, the partnership seeks to provide a pathway for families to reconnect, open pathways for academic advancement, and allow for attendance at events and shopping opportunities.
