Instead of sending our money to Europe to Europeans can market us, why can't we use internet technology and direct market in the heartlands and anywhere there is a telephone. This could employee a few hundred people with low operating cost. Put it together in 30 days

I wish that CaribArena would amend their programming eliminating words that end in ss.
It's most annoying that parts of simple words are replaced by asterisks because they end in particular letters.
I often wonder if they really review our comments. Don't think so.

maco yes they pay a commercial rate but its effectively the same rate as domestic (38 cents) for KWH above 350.(see http://www.zone.gov.ag/pdf/zone-business-guide.pdf) I know the source is a bit dated but based on my electricity bill the same formula is still being used). Everyone pays the same high fuel variation cost which is 73 cents as of may 2011. The hotels are also able to get duty free fuel from the government to be used by their generators because of a Emergency Economic Plan which as far as I know is still in place (http://www.antiguahotels.org/member.php?EmergencyEconomicPlan-Memorandumo**reement=1). I was told some years ago by a Maintenance manager at a hotel here that it was cheaper for them to run their generators than to use power from APUA. Maco I do agree with you that energy costs are a major reason why we are uncompetitive.

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businesses pay a higher electricity rate than householders. Energy cost is a very significant operating cost that businesses have to pay. That is a primary reason why we are not competitive as a destination.

A Stitch in Time well said. Where ABST is concerned I find it strange that the government accepts the idea that tourists cannot afford to pay 15% ABST and instead charges them 10% at the hotels. However the residents with less take home pay on average than US and UK tourists, it is deemed can afford to pay 5% more. Its also decided that hotels cannot afford to pay the high cost of electricity and therefore get a discount not afforded to residents. Though I agree that electricity costs are too high, making it a little less expensive for only some is discriminatory.

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Is Mr Isaacs saying that he doesn’t have anyone coming in during the summer? What does he plan to do-refund them their money and close shop? Have any of you recently seen any room refurbishments in this hotel, the grounds, reception area? The entire hotel looks dated and tired. How much money in the last 3 years has gone into the hotel to make it look eye catching and presentable?
The different hotels are planning to sabotage the government through pressure. They want a lot of free incentives without putting money into their respective hotels.
Yet, business owners are being taxed to the nines even though they are the ones generating income for the country.
Stop relying on the government to mend all our woes. Stand up and do something for yourselves. Antigua is a hand out society-everyth ing for free.
God help us all!

“Captain, the ship is sinking. Captain, the seas are rough.”
These are the words from a Trinidadian calypsonian, Gypsy, back in 2007.
With the bright stars we have as Ministers, we go ded!

Let's talk about Tourism:
Move as swiftly as possible to remove Maginley. He is empty-headed and cares only about going on a plane so that he can collect his over-inflated overseas allowance. He was moved from one Ministry to another leaving the first one in need of a doctor!
When he ‘done’ with Tourism, we will need a cemetery plot!
Reduce electricity charges: Without excessive use, air-conditioner s run approximately US$450 pm (if my information is correct).

Hmmm, We are for the 100 rooms expansion but he does not have to take up the beach and displace the vendors and spoil our picnicing. He has 26.5 acres of land to do the expansion. Tourism is no good to us if we do not benefit from it.

I see some experts suggesting that hotels drop rates for summer to compete with Cuba. Are these experts aware that Antigua is the most expensive country in the caribbean in which to operate a business?Utilit ies alone plus all the taxes are killing all businesses. What do you do? drop your price below the cost of production?

Perplexed...... ......... The sandals resort in Antigua is on **inson bay ,long bay happends to be on the north east coast ,and the hotels on that beach are pineapple and the long bay hotel.

Tuesday June 7th, '' lOVELL NOT WORRIED''
Wednesday June 8th,'' APUA CONSIDERING LAY OFFS"
THURSDAY JUNE 9TH, " FOOD PRICES ON THE INCREASE"
SATUADAY JUNE 11TH, " JOLLY BEACH CONSIDERING CLOSING FOR THE SUMMER"

MR LOVELL,,Are you still not worried?????

To top it all off,the Bearer of the dreadful news,seem to be very happy in the accompanying Photo.@ Skywell,as you can see the Govt is doing a pretty good Job of Closing down, so when the Burial come,it will still be them that,s responsible and not us.

the issue for me is not the displacement of vendors but sandals want to make long bay their private beach meaning that we will not be able to go there and swim at our leisure. Our laws prohibit private beaches as the beaches belong to all antiguans, are you ok with us loosing our rights as citizens to our God given beaches?

It's a no brainer.. Reduce hotel rates during the summer and fall months and Canadians, Americans, and Europeans would flock to Antigua, creating jobs..jobs...jo bs..

All Experts congrats on your career choice and your decision to truly invest in the industry. I too have worked in the tourism industry and have served as a manager at a hotel which also also has a presence in Antigua. I have also spent time in Ohio because my sister lived there for awhile. You stated the cost of travelling from Ohio to Antigua may be too prohibitive to justify a weeks stay in Antigua. The cost according to trevelocity to go from the international airport in Ohio to Antigua is $582, I chose the date 07/04/2011 July . They would leave at 7:20 AM and get here at 2PM. The best price I have seen leaving from JFK (NY) to Antigua is 541.00 and that via Caribbean Airlines and that has them leaving the us at 11:05 am and getting here at 6:05PM. I really hope this post will help you to see the how wrong your fears are.
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Since Summer is a slow period for the Hotel industry, why not reduce the nightly cost for Antiguans and other islanders coming home for Carnival?. A little something is better than nothing for the industry and will encourage those of us living oversease to want to come home more often if we can get a good deal during the Hotels slow period.

I understand what you are trying to say but somethings you just know from experience; like how many people you met who are interested in your country. I was in class and I met a really beautiful Caucasian lady and went up to her and we talked and it was nice, she told me, she came from Antigua and she visited Dennis Restaurant (went behind the bar and made her own drink).

She was so excited and she really love Antigua and Barbuda. There are more of these experiences, even the reason why i am in america. Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois would sell crazy. My church members visited

where did you study? at the University of Peckham?

We are all entitled to our opinions and as such we all seem to be experts on every subject. I can speak to tourism as I am a holder of a degree in Tourisn and Hospitality Management from a reputable University in Europe. I often hear people say " we should market in the US ....." this is all well and good but we first have to do our market research and a fesability study to determine if what we have to offer is what the intended market is looking for. To give a simple example we cant market or sell our island to persons in OHIO if they are interested in ski vacations, or mountain climbing. Otherwise we will spend $20 in marketing and then perhaps only get $5 in bookings out of Ohio. Additionally flying from Ohio to Antigua may take 24 hours and cost more than an entire week at a hotel.

We complain when hotel say they will close because there is no business, and we still complain when another hotel has business and want to add another 100 rooms but displace 5 t-shirt vendors.
I have worked in hotels for about 20 years and we all know when its off season the profit margin is not as high so hotels use that opportunity to reduce staff, close for renovations or just close until the high profit months come back around. Curtain Bluff and other hotels have been doing that for many many years.

Ill let the past speak about tourism in Antigua, with these three links;
1. http://www.caribarena.com/antigua/opinions/opinion-pieces/5894-non-evolution-the-death-of-tourism.html
2. http://www.caribarena.com/antigua/opinions/opinion-pieces/ian-magic-hughes/5726-now-that-the-horses-have-bolted.html
3. http://www.caribarena.com/antigua/opinions/opinion-pieces/5683-throwing-the-dice.html
You're Welcome!

W T F..........You hit it right on the **on ! But sadley Antigua is so corrupt and the way most people think in Antigua is ......... not what can i give to my country,but what can i take ! And that is why Antigua will not move forward,and will always be broke .

Hello FNPSR,
Thank you and what you have added make sense but maybe it is much harder for the politicians to realize. I see we have embassies, Numerous offices in Washington DC, why not put one in Michigan? Rent is cheaper, food is cheaper, a new well off market.

Other blogger not that you need my applause but i must say awesome blog and i agree.

Perhaps for starters eliminate the useless and expensive overseas offices (in my opinion they are just depleting the Treasury with costs and spasmodic non-producing promotion attempts). Put a STOP to the incessant travelling by Maginley and partner/s. Put all those funds saved towards international media advertising that targets the tourist potential groups that really do travel to the Caribbean. As W.T.F. has stated turn Antigua into a desirable destination that really caters to tourism (including ATTITUDE and SERVICE issues) from arrival to departure. Even better hand the tourism department as a whole over to people who are qualified, experienced and truly understand what it takes for success in this era (not 20 or 30 yrs ago)……….Or we can continue to watch our neighbours profit from their efforts while Antigua just dies as is happening now???

wtf, where did you get ur stats on returning visitors?

W.T.F., you have hit the ball out of the park! I could not have said it any better. Perhaps, the powers that be can use your post as a working document and begin the rehabilitation of the island. But too often, good ideas are ignored!!!!

Well done!!!

"Let's fix the little things before we attempt to fix the bix things."

I agree wholeheartedly with W.T.F's analysis of the state of tourism in Antigua. Now what can be done about this sad state of affairs??

R.F

Our Tourism package is dated and archaic, and our general attitude towards foreign investment and visitors is shameful. People all over the world are still looking for vacations but now have the added power of the internet to research their options prior to making their investment decision. As a high percentage of visitors to our Island never return, perhaps we need to figure out why.

Our streets are filthy, the odour downtown is disgusting, our taxi driver's can be offensive and inconsiderate, our roads are littered with potholes, our attitude towards visitors is harsh and cold, our police are under-qualified and can be quite caustic, and our customs personnel at the airport are just plain ignorant. We suggest our beaches are just the beginning, but we've left them ungroomed for decades, under both political administrations .

We need solutions without hidden agenda's or back room deals. Plans to benefit all of us, not just the selected few that are elected to help govern us.

It's up to all Antiguan's to ensure a better destination experience for guests on our land. Tourism is all we will ever have. Perhaps we need to treat it as such.

According to the Hon. Minister of Finance, he is not worried!

My way, I agree that some strategic advertising in the Mid-West must be done to attract more visitors. I had previously argued that some advertising should be done in the "cold" states, such as Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnisota, Michigan, with Chicago O'Hare being the hub, with a negotiated direct flight to Antigua. The potential is huge for this market. There are millions of peoplle from these states who would love to get away from the harsh winter or even explore somewhere new in the summer. However, the hotels would have to be on board to make this happen. Most people would want a clean room at a reasonable price and spend their money shopping, eating out and the like. This way, the money would be circulated in the economy rather than being hoarded in one sector of the economy.

"Let's fix the little things before we attemp to fix the little things."

OK I get the picture. ALP and business organization will not need to shut down Antigua. it is already shutting down. I am a numbers guy and make decisions based on my own research. What I am finding is a lot of businesses is running on empty and owners are digging into savings and don't see no future in ANU. In fact the next tourists season will not be a good one as people lie to themselves hope it will be a good season. Jolly Beach according to some folks who stayed there would make a good old folks home. We are not marketing the right people. what we Need is an event like Urban Weekend in Miami Beach

The whole country is on off season closure........ .............to o much mistakes with this govt its a beef steak now

U'all don't worry wid Ted, he just trying to scare the union, as they are in negotiation, not to offer any increases to his employees, while he continues to collect three to four salaries from all the different boards he occupy

I really hope that this hotel gets a much needed revamp because its location and beach makes it potentially Antigua's best resort. With the right management Jolly Beach can once again shine.

staycation pakages or day pass

And The UPP said it is the businesses and not reality. Hey, I have a lot of people where i stay that want to go to my country because of my over exaggeration (lie) of how nice and loving we are, can, sorry, may I have some discounts and other promotional incentives to give (not for me to take but to give).

I suggest that the tourism office go to the middle of the United states to market our beloved United Islands. I went to court and the judge was immediately happy hearing i am Antiguan and he yelled, sailing week, i love sailing week, to me in excitement. Please, OHIO, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS, INDIANA etcetera.