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**skyewill** » 2011-06-19 19:51

a certain person was a thief when they was a little youth. Hands very stickey. If you went to school with him you would know. the question is has he changed and when? Now I am saying a man can grow up and yes change and become a respectable citizen. Me, i stop tell lies and never a thief, But this one is capable of anything. yes the Fox is minding the hen house.

**skyewill** » 2011-06-19 19:46

s Naomi said she don't see nothing in Canada, I don't see no marketing either. I don't know anyone who have seen anything yet they tell me how much they are spending. My suspicion there is no spending and Somebody is lying. who Owns those marketing companies? How Old are they, who are there customers. REMEMBER BITS AND PIECES OF UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION CAN BE OF POSSIBLE INTELLIGENCE VALUE. Anyone can open a business in any country except Antigua (punt intended) WATCH THEM them no good from morning

**skyewill** » 2011-06-19 19:40

You got it. all inclusive a few is OK but toomany and the economy is dead. Also one investor with too much tend to off ballance the balance of power. We need people to be confident and open their own business and we need some to leave government and do the same. Good observation.

**skyewill** » 2011-06-19 19:33

That is the problem right there. I know it can be done and what if we have Airlifts and more hotels? and no they are all not staying at the same time and yes 1 million in 18 months means 55, 500 people a month can we do that? some would come for just the weekend and others cruise and stay on board. small guest houses and even rental houses in communities for those who want to experience the true culture. What if we fall short by half would that at least be a start. OK se we get back logged and there is a line to come here would that be a bad thing? Maybe it a bad idea, it's just my thought and I believe it can be done. Do anyone else think that this is possible? The gem of the Carribean? You may be right, you guys can't even pick up garbage in St. johns.

**skyewill** » 2011-06-19 19:19

Happy fathers Day to you and Tenman,fed up hotel worker, Hmmm,Truth,Inte resteD,Buzzbomb ,naiomi , CountryMan ,John French II , Not a Thief and all my blogger dads

**Buzzbomb** » 2011-06-19 17:18

I hate to burst your bubble, but it's more like One Million US$ per year squandered on pomposity and arrogant preferential status. Over seven years of unabated and unproductive travel by ministers, even you might be able to calculate that a decent promotional campaign could have been mounted for our twin island nation during that period if those funds were not squandered on ego.
Just a note; calling names is sooooo highschool, dude.

**Buzzbomb** » 2011-06-19 17:00

You raise interesting points about 'all inclusive' resorts. They have been known to hurt domestic Mom & Pop operations. They turn would-be entrepeneurs into employees and are basically the equivelant to a foreign corporation opening up a factory. However, there are short term gains with jobs for the locals, but in the long run the foreign corporations make the big money and simply ship it off-island. Little money gets circulated locally from their international visitors, other than salaries paid to the hotel workers supporting their families. I could be wrong, but to me all inclusives are not the ideal business model for development in the islands.

**naiomi** » 2011-06-19 16:54

HAPPY fATHER'S DAY

**naiomi** » 2011-06-19 16:43

TO ALL THE CARIBARENA MALE BLOGGERS WHO ARE FATHERS. MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU ALL AND REMEMBER THAT YOU ALL ARE KINGS AND THAT YOU ARE STANDING IN THE GAP FOR THE HEAVENLY FATHER.
SO STANDUP AND BE THE HEAD OF YOUR FAMILIES.

**naiomi** » 2011-06-19 16:38

Well said our natural beauty and our history,

@ everyone Do you all know that Antigua has a waterfall?
Do you all know about an area in our island full of feverg**?
Do you all know about our cherries have a high concentration of vitamin C and it is the best in the world?
Do you all know that Antigua have bauxite?
Do you all know that soursop that we take for granted helps cancer patients?
Do you all know about the wells that Antigua have and they are hidden?
Why isn't Fort James a national and historic park?
Why isn't shirley heights a national and Historic park?
Why isn't Fry's Bay a national park?
Why is pot works damn full of bush and not a national park?
What happen to our pottery in Sea View Farm?
What happen to our ceramic pottery?
I have not even touch the surface as yet. Our little island have so much to offer.

**Morris** » 2011-06-19 16:01

Leaders who fail to plan should plan to fail. Rather than all stakeholders coming together collectively to develop a strategic and holistic tourism product, our leaders all prefer to observe from the sidelines and engage each other in a blame game. ANU will continue to be taken for a ride as long as our leaders only focus on the short term goals, while very investor come to ANU with long term goals of making killer profits.

Some posters have alluded to floating mega vessels and the all inclusives, but while there is some truth to that, they are really the least of our worries. Our biggest worry has been the blatant neglect and upkeep of our natural beauty and wonders by our incompetent leaders.

**John French II** » 2011-06-19 12:37

Notes From A Native Son Of The Rock. Who among them can declare the Subject Title and Show us Former Things? Privateers fully understand Lord Palmerston's Dictum. As a young Nation, we must fully seek to understandand and learn to skillfully sail our way through these shark infested and cyclical hurricane blown turbulent and surging Caribbean Seas teeming with rapacious Euro & Oreintal Buccaneers. SAM and EURO Lost and Continue to Lose Trillions. Only two, bit players of $15B and $7B have or will face the Blind Lady and the Weighted Scales. He who has the Gold Makes the Rules. Just as the Euro Privateers with their Floating Majestic Hotels reordered the Tourism so that they held the Gold, A&B and the other members of CARICOM must do likewise since we truly have the Gold. Realign the Vision, Mission and Strategic Imperatives to benefit the customers and the Stakeholders - the People of the Island Nation States. Let me be clear, what A&B is undergoing is writ large throughout The CSME. Blues & Reds worshipping at the Stolen Altar of Pergammon will not save A&B just as it did not save The Fuhrer and the Third Reich. Heaven Help The Nation of Antigua & Barbuda - Redonda?

**SKY50** » 2011-06-19 06:38

There is so much that Antigua has to offer..Marketin g is definitely the way to go.. Paradise awaits them.. Promote out Island......

**skyewill** » 2011-06-19 05:14

Not just the floating hotels but the ALL INCLUSIVES. The leave out the people of the island and lock us off our beaches and exclude our vendor. they are not selling Antigua but their resort and the people make nothing while they make a killing - "not the Islands Experience. Talk about "cutting off your nose to spite your face." We have been had." WE HAVE BEEN HAD.

**skyewill** » 2011-06-19 05:06

That's because there is no money being spent like we have been told. All lies. What you just divulged is what they are very afraid of. “The coming together of the minds” you see before a forum like Caribarena we had no way to coordinate information. While I was in the USAF, I was an Information instructor at CCAF where we taught our students that Bits and pieces of unclassified information when gathered together will have possible intelligence value. In your case, you little bit of information and bits from others, say in Europe, we can make a few assumptions: Maybe the reason you don’t see Antigua on commercials is because the money was never delivered or maybe not all, I really don’t know, but keep your eyes open and ears keen. Remember, this internet changed Egypt.

**Not a Thief** » 2011-06-19 00:11

Maybe the Antiguan government should stop stealing from people who visit and/or invest there. That would be a step in the right direction. It's hard to grow your tourism industry when headlines around the world expose Antigua's corrupt government.

**John French II** » 2011-06-18 23:39

Notes From A Native Son OF The Rock. We need a new dispensation. Throughout the Caribbean Tourism is not as healthy as it once was. We have been swamped by the European Privateer Floating Majestic Hotels, some of which have more capacity than some of the destination Island Nation States. Numbers are up in many of the Destination Island Nations but revenues are down. People in the esatern nothern western and southern Caribbean who depend on this Industry are all bawling. The only area I have not visited so far this year is the western, but my reading confirms that the same pertains. Unless we change the way we think of, plan for, market and manage this industry, it will continue to be elusive. I listen daily and cringe at Caribbean people with grand designs to go and enjoy the European Privateer Floating Majestic Hotel Experience - not the Islands Experience. Talk about "cutting off your nose to spite your face." We have been had. Everyone wants a handout from Government. Everyone is making money from our resource. Not a penny for the "Privateers".

**naiomi** » 2011-06-18 21:20

In Canada we have all these popular radio station that have contest to fly to different destination and these destinations are Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Aruba and St. Kitts not one time you hear about Antigua. There is also a show on TLC called four weddings and they give a free honeymoon to the winner of the best wedding. Majority of the Caribbean islands were named but again not Antigua. WAKE UP UPP

**tenman** » 2011-06-18 21:05

Interested perhaps its time you go and get your eyes checked. Part 1 of my my post was at 2011-06-14 09:21 to the same Monroe College story and you could use your browsers control F function key to search each post for mine. Interested, I must state, I am very honored by your need/wish to see my opinion on articles :lol:

..

**skyewill** » 2011-06-18 19:35

There you go and they don't have to give up cash they can donate rooms for promotions and rental cars, resturants can give dinners etc. Instead of sending the marketing money to some european who have no clue of our culture we do the direct marketing ourselves. it can be done

**skyewill** » 2011-06-18 19:31

you right on. the internet, the internet , the internet and use our own people and not just mobile direct talk to people. Purchase leads and market. i don't know but i do most of my traveling in the Summer so Why is Summer in Antigua slow when that is when people with families take off?

**skyewill** » 2011-06-18 19:25

Antigua Tax payers have nothing to show for the high taxes we pay and that's a problem. So far I am so disapointed in so many. Their Masters and PhD's are not worth the paper they are printed on.

**fnpsr** » 2011-06-18 18:57

It is no doubt that the island of Antigua needs a comprehensive marketing plan to improve its tourism product. It is also no doubt that the government should spend appropriate funds to promote tourism and attract visitors to the island. But in these hard economic times, the government is hard pressed for funds. Therefore, I would suggest that all direct beneficiaries of tourism, such as the hotes, merchants, restaurants, taxis, street and beach vendors, car rental agencies, and tour operators, to name a few, should contribute to a general tourism marketing fund. In this way, the burden would not be placed on any one entity, such as the government.

"let's fix the little things before we attempt to fix the big things."

**InteresteD** » 2011-06-18 18:13

The government Integrated Online Presence has not been launched as I have not heard an announcement so no moneys have been expended. And any of you idiots that thinks that reducing Ministers travel, especially that of the Tourism Minister whomever that is, and letting Ministers pay there own bills may save the government about $ 500,000 a year. Compare that saving to the the $ 40 million US dollars that Barbados has to market compared to about $ 11 million EC that Antigua has and then compare. And the idiotic thought that Antigua can get a million stay over visitors in 18 months just shows your ignorance. KAntigua has about 3800 hotel rooms...to get 1 million visitors would need a massive number of new hotel rooms and airlift......bu t you can talk but have no idea how to actually do any of this stuff!

**CountryMan** » 2011-06-18 18:03

Targeted mobile marketing is the solution. Deep mined data bases can pin point individuals and families who meets the ideal criteria. mobile marketing can individualize the campaign and place it in the mobile ad network or ad exchange. On can have in-app advertising targeted to the demographics the is buying the apps. The little cardboard ad in liberty Travel window is passe. but as "Buzzbomb" says: I must be dreaming.
Yo'al need to get off of FaceBook, and begin to read the underlying technology that drives FaceBook and made it what it is today. I am dreaming again

**CountryMan** » 2011-06-18 17:51

Rob Sherman, managing director of the Curtain Bluff Resort has proven to be politically astute resulting an a long and successful run for Curtain Bluffs. He has been community minded with regards to staff and Human development, resulting in high quality service and high repeat of his customer base. Curtain Bluff would normally get those guest who can not afford Mill Reef Club enabling Antigua to be considered to a limited degree, a high end destination. That is no longer the case The baby boomer professional families and active retires who were Curtain Bluff traditional guests are disappearing. In the past botique beach resorts like Curtain Bluff needed to promote themselves and get mentioned in little pocket articles; and the well to do clients found their way to curtain Bluff and other such hotels.
Interesting that Bob Sherman is calling for Destination marketing. aka Mass Marketing; the very type of marketing that has eroded his niche

**CountryMan** » 2011-06-18 17:36

Yea! Tenman.
Where are you on the issue of the Long bay development. i noted you were absent from the comments ob a number of topics in the last two weeks. I occurred to me since its the summer you may be traveling North. I'd hope that does not stop you.
I was looking for your comments on Monroe College, a sour subject that is going to sent a number of young Antigua and Barbudans into debt and bankruptcy

**naiomi** » 2011-06-18 17:35

You are quite right. I live in the Toronto area in Canada and the only advertising you see is Sandals. To make matters worst I don't know what the consulate in Toronto is there for I called for a map and they said that they didn't have any. This is just a shame.

**tenman** » 2011-06-18 17:33

Buzzbomb well said. Its just sad that instead of using tax payers moneys for things that will add value we prefer instead to use it for non value adding things in an attempt to keep certain politicians in power.

..

**Buzzbomb** » 2011-06-18 16:01

I remember successful promo campaigns from other islands. While traveling in the US and Canada I recall hearing the radio jingle "Imagine yourself in Barbados" and seeing that poster of a wet T-shirt that simply said 'Jamaica' displayed in the window of a travel agent. Both were good sells when it was cold and snowing. The best I've seen for Antigua are Sandalls billboards with us listed at the botton along with St. Lucia, etc.
Sherman is correct, Antigua & Barbuda needs to step up it's game promoting our little bit of paradise. A decent professional campaign could probably be funded by gov't ministers reducing travel, flying coach, drastically reducing their per diem allowances, stopping the ridiculous practice of police escorts and these same ministers simply paying their own bills, taxes and duties. Sorry, I must have been dreaming.

**skyewill** » 2011-06-18 14:04

Butch see a dead carcus and he ready fo ynam even bone, OK No one is saying stop the project. Allow the vendors to be a part of the project. Here the real skinny. Butch goes all inclusive with a family oriented hotel theme and isolate the guest from the rest of Antigua. he mek all de money. got it?

**skyewill** » 2011-06-18 14:00

Truth a he dat?

**skyewill** » 2011-06-18 13:59

We you export your work and import people that export you money you suck the wind out of the economic sails. Reverse the deal with the European company to market Antigua reduce your marketing funds spent outside Antigua. take the money earned (saved) and invest it into an internet based marketing company supported by all stake holders in the tourist industry and direct market real people. Step up the pace in the winter when it is cold. Target goal" to bring 1,000,000 new tourists to Antigua & Barbuda in the next 18 months.

**InteresteD** » 2011-06-18 12:46

And Tenman......whe re is your voice now about the Butch Stewart investment? Maginley and Lovell have convinced Stewart to invest in Antigua before St. Lucia , Turks and Caicos, his home Jamaica and other islands! Are you in support of the ALP action to stop this investment? 250 construction workers, 300 plus hotel employees, taxis,tours, vendors, an additional 125 rooms and a complete rebranding to an internationally known brand.........p lus all the ancillary services!!!

**InteresteD** » 2011-06-18 12:35

In this piece Sherman speaks of the improvement that he is seeing.....peop le are calling already for next season.......it 's seems ok to lame the government when things are bad but not one of the hoteliers ever speak of there bad decisions or when the government does good. As for investments.... isn't Butch Stewart willing to invest millions of dollars right now only for ALP to try to stop it. Where is Sherman now? And is it not a fact that the government just approved a new development for Curtain Bluff even though they have not put up 1 dollar?...
Maybe you can ask Sherman about Government support? He will most likely say it took years for approval! Ask him how much money his group has to invest?

**tenman** » 2011-06-18 10:59

Hmmm you have finally posted something, at least in the past week, that I can agree with you on

..

**Truth** » 2011-06-18 10:06

Before the government start putting more money into marketing and tourism it might be a good idea for the government to start paying for all the businesses and assets belonging to foreigners it has expropriated, either that or hand it back.

If Antigua ever wants to looked upon as a safe place for investors they need to stop their corrupt practices of robbing every foreigner that comes to the island.

Mr Spencer...Are you listening, well it will be a first if he is!

**Hmmm** » 2011-06-18 08:36

Government should spend more money on Destination Marketing!! I would agree with this but for the fact that many of these same hotels do not pay their due taxes, not when the had to pay the 2% levy which was for this said purpose or not now with ABST and income tax. Everyone wants a free ride during the winter months when business is booming where is the profit deposited??? Everyone wants to piggy back for a free ride but who is going to keep the pig alive???

**fed up hotel worker** » 2011-06-18 07:55

“The sad part is they (the workers) are the reason why we are successful," he said. "It’s the people who provide the excellent warmth and hospitality to our valued guests. But we continue to pay these exorbitant costs and duties to keep our business going. I’m not blasting the government, but they really have to do something about this. It’s bout 50 workers I have here, and we must do all in our power to keep them here.”
Finally there is a hotelier who gets it.

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