Cruise Officials Look Ahead

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Tourism News

Thursday, 08 October 2009 06:00

By Afeefah Beharry

Local cruise sector representatives are relieved that the trial of the six US tourists accused of beating police officers is finally over. The tourists, Shoshonnah Henry, Rachel Henry, Mike Pierre Paul, Dolores Lalanne, Joshua Jackson and Nancy Lalanne, had arrived onboard the Carnival Victory on September 4.

President of the Antigua and Barbuda Cruise Tourism Association (ABCTA) Nathan Dundas said he is now hoping to concentrate on rebuilding the image and reputation of Antigua and Barbuda.

“We have a serious task ahead of us to get the message out there that Antigua and Barbuda is still the destination to be at," he said. "We handle over 500,000 passengers annually and we will continue to reach out to them to show the best in genuine hospitality and friendliness to keep them coming back while we continue to target new markets."

Dundas said he will be taking a serious look at ensuring the systems currently in place are working. “We will be working in conjunction with our local partners to ensure that we don’t ever have a repeat of this incident,” he said.

The cruise official will also be meeting with Deputy Commissioner of Police Neil Parker to discuss matters relating to the role of the police in the cruise sector. Along with Minister of Tourism John Maginley, the ABCTA will also meet with other partners, including the St John’s Taxi Association, the Transport Board and the St John’s Development Corporation (SJDC).

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According to Dundas, Maginley has already signed a document outlining regulations to govern the piers at Heritage Quay and Nevis Street, under the supervision of the Heritage Quay Act. The association will be pushing for these regulations to be implemented as soon as possible.

“The sector will continue to work with Carnival Cruise Lines in an effort to rebuild confidence in the destination," he said. "We have enjoyed a long and good relationship with Carnival and we will continue to work at rebuilding that partnership that has benefitted us mutually in the past. We believe that Antigua has been a good destination and port of call for Carnival Victory passengers and crew over the past years and we are positive that it is a relationship that we can regain with them.”

 

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