Yachting Development Forum

(ZIZ News) — The Ministry of Tourism is working to develop the yachting sector.

On Tuesday morning, stakeholders in the tourism industry came together for the St. Kitts and Nevis Yachting Development Forum where they discussed opportunities and challenges facing the sector.

In delivering the feature address, Minister Hon. Lindsay Grant said the Federation can boast of many strengths as it develops the yachting industry.

“We are a well-established tourism destination. The location of St. Kitts and Nevis makes it an easy stop, a natural extension of the itinerary of current yachters. We have strong private sector investment in the construction and provision of marinas, slips and births as is evidenced by the Christophe Harbour Marina. We have a diversified tourism product which will support yachting, he said.

Referring to the industry as a potentially lucrative gold mine, the Tourism Minister confirmed his ministry’s commitment to its development.

“The Ministry of Tourism will play a pivotal role in this thrust. Apart from strengthening our relationship with our stakeholders, the ministry will seek to ensure the smooth functioning of the yachting sector, to protect our borders, our citizens and our visitors and encourage yacht owners to register with the St. Kitts and Nevis international ship registry. The Ministry of Tourism will ensure the appropriate fiscal, legal, regulatory governance and institutional structures are in place to facilitate the social and sound development,” he said.

The yachting forum is one of the events being hosted during the observance of Tourism Month which is being held under the theme “One Million Customers, One Million Opportunities”.