Minister Skerritt highlights summer events to boost economic recovery

(ZIZ)– Federal Minister of Tourism Sen. the Hon. Richard “Ricky” Skerritt has listed several summer events that are designed to assist in the economic recovery of the twin-island Federation.

He told listeners of a recently aired radio programme that the events in the cruise tourism, sports tourism, hotel and agricultural sectors are designed to pump money into the economy that grew 1.7 percent in 2013.

According to Skerritt, there is a projected growth rate of 2.5 percent to 3 percent in 2014. To support his claim, he said there would be two cruise ships in port this summer and next summer will see three.

The annual St. Kitts Music Festival was also mentioned as an initiative that was started to drive business to the hotels. He said it had been successful thus far.

Additionally, Minister Skerritt told listeners that the semi-final and final matches of the Caribbean Premier League will be held in St. Kitts in August, so the hotels will be filled.

He also spoke of the soft opening of Kittitian Hill which is planned for July. In speaking of the project, he said it has a very strong sustainable policy as all local produce would be used.

Skerritt then disclosed that recent studies have shown that only 60 percent of visitors are actually staying in hotels with 40 percent staying in private villas and condominiums, resulting in an increase in the production of Agriculture.