Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 15, 2021 (SKNIS): Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Lindsay Grant, explained during the Tourism Stakeholders Meeting on Wednesday 14 that his Ministry is doing everything in its power to direct traffic to the hotels to keep them afloat at this difficult time in history with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ministry of Tourism in its efforts to further increase traffic to the hotels within the Federation has “just recently embarked upon a 5-day getaway promotion for our stay-over visitors who would stay in the various hotels,” said Minister Grant.
He continued, “We know that coming up to this summer period over the last several years they have had the opportunity of being the beneficiaries of a St. Kitts Music Festival and the traffic that that brings.”
“Of course we are in a different space in 2021 and so we won’t have any St. Kitts Music Festival and for that we want you to make sure that we direct some traffic to the hotel industry,” he said.
“We have opened the booking window for that portion of the industry beginning April 1st, 2021 going to July 31st, 2021,” he added. “And that travel window for the bookings will give persons the opportunity to use the travel window from April 1 to September 5th, 2021.”
He said, “This has already been loaded on the St. Kitts destination website and so we are expecting some fruits of that labor.”
“We will continue our PR exercise in our primary source markets of the United Kingdom, USA, Canada, etc. to ensure that we keep our industry re-energized, and of course waiting for the brighter day which we expect to come very soon,” the Minister of Tourism said.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 22nd, 2021 (ZIZ News) eTurboNews has published their recent interview with the Hon. Lindsay F.P. Grant, Minister of Tourism, Transport and Ports.
Minister Grant attended the rebuilding travel session hosted by the World Tourism Network and responded to questions by tourism professionals from around the world wanting to learn how St. Kitts managed to keep COVID-19 out and reopened its travel and tourism industry.
The Foreign Minister pointed to the implementation of the all of society approach for the country’ success in containing the virus.
The video interview segment and accompanying article has been published on eturbonews.com under the title St. Kitts Considerable Advantage in Reopening Tourism.
]]>
Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 18, 2020 (SKNIS): Minister of Tourism, Transport and Ports, the Honourable Lindsay Grant, said that the Ministry of Tourism’s underwent extensive preparation with its Phase One Plan to re-introduce tourism to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis in a COVID-19 world.
Speaking in the National Assembly on November 17, Minister Grant said that St. Kitts & Nevis’ borders were re-opened to welcome visitors from around the world after a seven-month closure, which was implemented to help curb the transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have been preparing for this for a very long time working with our medical professionals to develop a two-phase plan to allow us to safely and responsibly open,” he said.
“We established specific entry and travel requirements for our visitors. We developed protocols to keep our frontline workers, our citizens, and our residents safe, and conducted training for our stakeholders in every single sector of the industry in those health and safety protocols,” Minister Grant said.
Additionally, “we created a travel approved program which awards a travel approved certificate and seal for stakeholders successfully completing the training and inspection of their operations, respectively,” he said.
“Mr. Speaker, we collaborated with our airline partners to establish our airlift schedule for November, including American Airlines service from Miami, Seaborne service from San Juan, and starting this past Saturday, Winair service from St. Maarten. For the month of November, all airlines will operate weekly Saturday service,” said Minister Grant.
“As Phase One continues, I am very pleased to report 4314 persons out of 5000 in the Tourism Industry have completed the Travel Approved training at no expense to the individual,” he mentioned.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 28, 2020 (SKNIS): The Honourable Lindsay Grant, Minister of Tourism, Transport and Ports, met with Taxis and tour Operators on Tuesday, October 27, to discuss the way forward with the borders reopening on October 31.
“The meeting… was a very important meeting because at that particular time we were able to put the position of the state of the industry to the Taxi and Tour Operators as it stands today,” Minister Grant said on the October 27 edition of ‘Leadership Matters’, a virtual forum on ZIZ TV.
Minister Grant said that several questions were raised by the operators.
“A big concern of them was that the prescribed protocols in terms of their vehicles require them to put either a Plexiglass or Velcro but I believe that at the end of the day… I think they were comfortable with that,” he said. “At the end of the meeting, the understanding was that what we have been doing over the last seven months is to ensure the safety of our citizens which is paramount,” he added.
He said that St. Kitts and Nevis as “a low-risk destination” will “add value to our tourism product.”
Members of the NEOC were also present at the meeting. According to Minister Grant, they were successful in communicating to the taxis and tour operators the “reasons for our in-depth approach to the matter of COVID-19.”
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 28, 2020 (SKNIS): Taxi and tour operators in St. Kitts and Nevis desirous of plying their trade are encouraged to get the travel approved seal as this is necessary to operate tourism-based services when the borders reopen on October 31, 2020.
During the October 27 edition of Leadership Matters, the Honourable Lindsay Grant, Minister of Tourism, Transport and Ports, said that a great concern to the Ministry and the Government is that “to date, only 23 taxis and tour operators are currently travel approved for transportation come October 31.”
“We need to see more taxi and tour operators being travel approved so that we don’t have a challenge when it comes to those individual visitors who come to St. Kitts and Nevis. The protocol will be that it is only the travel approved taxis and tour operators will be able to gain entry to the airport in order to ply their trade,” he said. “And so, it is very important, that that portion is known and was communicated to them.”
At the end of July 2020, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA) started a Travel Approved Training for the Travel Approved Seal for all tourism entities that interact with tourist.
After training, the businesses will have to have the seal and certificate displayed. The information will also be placed on the SKTA website and persons will be able to go to the website and see what they can do in St. Kitts.
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS October 13, 2020 (Nevis Island Administration) – The Ministry of Health and the Nevis Tourism Authority on October 13, 2020, launched a joint health and tourism campaign “#Today4Tomorrow,” ahead of the October 31, 2020 border reopening.
The campaign, geared towards educating all stakeholders on health and safety protocols to curb the transmission of COVID-19 as the island prepares to welcome the return of international travellers, promotes two messages – “A safe Nevis depends on you” and “Responsible travel creates healthy destinations.”
Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis and Minister of Tourism who is also the Minister of Health, described the campaign as an important initiative meant to sensitise persons residing on Nevis as well as visitors to the island, when the borders reopen.
“I am abashedly thankful that the borders are reopening. COVID, however, in addition to the tremendous economic crisis that it has created, started out and continues to be a health crisis as well, and so we have the added task of ensuring that we are not only opening, but we are reopening responsibly, and we have an obligation as government to our people, those living here and to our visitors, those we hope will come, to ensure that everyone remains safe.
“And that is why this collaboration we are seeing his morning between the Nevis Tourism Authority, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Health is so absolutely critical, because it means that we have a cross-ministerial approach to reopening our borders, and a cross-ministerial approach to ensuring, that moving forward we are focused on keeping our people at home safe, and also creating a safe destination for those that will come to visit,” he said.
Ms. Jadine Yarde, Chief Executive Officer of the Nevis Tourism Authority, said it is necessary to provide not only information but resources to prepare for the inevitable when the borders reopen in about two weeks.
“As we take steps towards reopening our borders, safety is the top priority. Now that we have confirmed the date for Phase 1 of reopening and we have begun implementation of our safety measures and protocols, we are ready and eager to welcome back visitors to our beautiful shores. We are currently re-educating the general public and we want to reassure visitors, residents and citizens that we are indeed ready,” she said.
The NTA chief executive officer explained the objective of the campaign to promote healthy practices before and after the borders reopen.
“The campaign provides two distinct sets of messaging. The first is, ‘A safe Nevis depends on you’ which reminds our citizens and residents to adhere to the non-pharmaceutical measures to keep them safe and to minimise the risk, and two, ‘Responsible travel creates healthy destinations’ which targets perspective travellers. Our hashtag through social media is #today4tomorrow, reminding us all that what we do today creates the framework for our future,” she said.
Ms. Yarde added that in the coming weeks the marketing campaign will come to life with the sole purpose of encouraging safe measures for everyone.
Dr. Judy Nisbett, Medical Officer of Health on Nevis, who stood in for Junior Minister of Health Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams, said the reason for the joint approach to the campaign is to reassure nationals and visitors that the island of Nevis is ready to welcome back visitors to a safe Nevis.
“We treasure our people and the campaign has a secondary message targeting our nationals reminding them of the importance to practise the non-pharmaceutical measures that will protect themselves and our visitors. Therefore, it was easy to partner with the NTA in promoting the messages in this campaign,” she said.
Dr. Nisbett, who is also the Chair of the Nevis COVID-19 Task Force, stated that the Ministry of Health will continue efforts to ensure that the people of Nevis are well-prepared, and to protect visitors to the island.
“So on October 31, 2020, we are ready to welcome back all nationals home and also visitors to the shores of Nevis, lovely Nevis,” she said.
The campaign will see the erection of billboards and banners in strategic places around the island depicting the campaign messages.
Public service announcements featuring various local officials and personalities including Premier Brantley, Minister Brandy-Williams and Andrew “Hollywood” Nisbett, calypsonian and taxi operator, will be aired on television stations, social media, and radio stations across the federation.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 08, 2020 (SKNIS): As of October 18, 2020, access to the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw (RLB) International Airport in St. Kitts will be restricted to persons conducting legitimate business only.
This was according to the Honourable Lindsay Grant, Minister of Tourism and Ports during a media tour on October 07, 2020, aimed at updating the media and the general public on the COVID-19 Retrofit Works at the airport.
“Access to the airport would be restricted to persons with documented evidence and proof of the need to transact business at the airport, [as well as restricted to] airport staff on schedule with identification and passengers with the relevant travel documentation. This means that the National Bank Airport Outlet and the Sky Grill Restaurant will no longer be serving the local community,” said Minister Grant, “Only the NEOC [National Emergency Operation Centre] and SKTA [St. Kitts Tourism Authority] approved taxis and tour operating buses would be allowed on the compound in limited quantities, and parking would not be allowed for private vehicles – only passengers drop off allowed.”
Minister Grant indicated that the canopy area will be reserved for passengers who are departing, therefore, no vehicular traffic will be allowed in that area.
Access to the airport compound will not be allowed if persons are not wearing masks.
“Exempt persons must present relevant medical certification of exemption to be allowed not to wear the mask,” he said. “Additionally, the relevant signage would be installed including physical distance stickers on the seating and the flooring. Video infomercials would be displayed throughout the facility, security patrols intensified, and staff would be equipped with the necessary PPE’s [Personal Protective Equipment].”
The minister said that COVID-19 has affected every fabric of society. He added that it was important to introduce the necessary changes.
“COVID-19 has undoubtedly changed the way that we operate. The RLB International Airport is certainly no exception. And so, to ensure the safety of our people and to comply with the ICAO standards, SCASPA, with the input of the airport stakeholders, has effected changes to its operation protocols,” said Minister Grant. “These operating protocols remain very fluid and, of course, subject to change as the National COVID-19 Protocols change.”
Although the noted changes would impact users of the airport, the services will be available to persons working at the airport.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 08, 2020 (SKNIS): The retrofitting works at the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw (RLB) International Airport in St. Kitts are expected to be completed ahead of the October 31 official reopening of the Federation’s borders.
During a media tour on October 07, the Honourable Lindsay Grant, Minister of Tourism, Transport and Ports, gave an overview of the changes taking place at the RLB International Airport.
Minister Grant indicated that the works will be done in two phases – phase one involves the retrofitting of the arrival area and the installation of the sneeze guards throughout the airport, while phase two will focus on retrofitting the departure area.
[In phase one there is the] “Construction of a welcome centre on the ramp of arrivals to house passengers ahead of the medical screening. This involves the erection of a 50 by 100-foot tent on reinforced wood, flooring and bathroom facilities. The welcome centre would be air-conditioned, equipped with seating to accommodate in excess of 140 passengers, a concession stand and TVs displaying the relevant and pertinent information,” said Minister Grant. “This facility is built in such a way that it can be easily dismantled and secured in the event of a storm or hurricane.”
A medical centre is also being constructed with an isolation unit on the arrival ramp. This facility, which is built out of shipping containers, is located next to the welcome centre. According to Minister Grant, the medical centre will be used “by the medical team and would house passengers deemed by the medical team to be of high-risk.”
Also, in phase one is the reconfiguration of the immigration hall.
“The immigration hall has been divided into two, physically separated by a partition. One section would be used for the queuing of approximately 40 passengers, physically distanced, of course, awaiting medical screening and the other section used for regular immigration processing,” he said. “The VIP lounge will be transformed into a medical screening room outfitted with four screening stations and thermal scanning cameras.”
To protect airport employees, plexiglass sneeze guards will be installed throughout the airport in places such as the customs baggage hall, the checking counters, as well as counters at the departure gates.
Minister Grant said that phase one is expected to cost in the region of two million Eastern Caribbean Dollars.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 7th , 2020 (ZIZ News): Ahead of the reopening of the country on October 31st, the Robert L. Bradshaw International airport continues to upgrade its safety procedures for travelers coming in and out of the country.
Shanique Harvey has the details….
During a media tour on Wednesday ZIZ news was provided a walk-through of the arrival area of the airport that is being retrofitted with screening sections for incoming passengers.
Minister of Tourism, Transport and Ports, Hon. Lindsay Grant explained the details of the work being done in the arrival area.
“Construction of a welcome center on the ramp of arrivals to house passengers ahead of the medical screening this involves…the erection of a 50 by a hundred foot tent, transparent on reinforced wood, flooring and bathroom facilities in the container outside. The welcome center will be air-conditioned, equipped with seating to accommodate in excess of 140 passengers, a concession stand and TVs displaying the relevant and pertinent information.”
He added that a medical center with an isolation unit will be constructed on the ramp of arrival which will be used to house passengers who are deemed by the medical team to be “high risk”.
Minister Grant said the immigration hall has been divided into 2 to facilitate passengers awaiting medical screening and regular immigration processing.
The Minister also said that work has begun on the VIP lounge to facilitate the screening of passengers as well as added protection with the installation of plexi-glass throughout the airport.
“The VIP lounge will be transformed into a medical screening room outfitted with 4 screening stations and thermal scanning cameras. There will be installation of plexi-glass, sneeze guards throughout the airport including customs, baggage hall, the checking counters and counters at departure gates.”
Minister Grant said there will be a public campaign demonstrating the arriving and departing process as well as what to expect when the borders reopen.
SCASPA will also use the arrival of Ross University students on October 14th to get a trial run of the arrival process.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 19, 2020 (ZIZ News) : The Tourism Ministry is moving ahead with plans to upgrade the beaches in St. Kitts.
That’s the word from Minister of Tourism, The Hon. Lindsay Grant speaking at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new viewing decks at Black Rocks.
Minister Grant said right now work is underway on several new features to be added to the strip at Frigate Bay.
“We can look forward to the completion of phases 1 and 2 of the St. Kitts-Nevis Government/CDF project ‘The Strip’ at Frigate Bay,” he said. “Which we will deliver an information centre, security station, restrooms, extended parkways and parkings, stalls for the craft vendors, shower stalls on the beach, turtle friendly lighting, a boardwalk, an exit roundabout with sidewalks, and enhanced landscaping, just to name a few of the additional features.”
He said upgrades are also in progress at cockleshell bay, particularly to upgrade safety and security.
“We are also adding the final touches to the much needed restroom facilities at Cockleshell (Bay),” he said. “And just last week, streetlights were installed at the venue to afford a safer space for persons using the taxis at nights and patronizing the enterainment spots in the area.”
Minister Grant said these upgrades are part of the the sectors efforts to prepare for when the borders reopen, all while determining how the tourism industry will operate within a world impacted by Covid-19.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 16, 2020 (SKNIS): The completion of the viewing decks and much more at Black Rocks marks a significant milestone and is a manifestation of bright hope and optimism for the future of the tourism industry, says Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Lindsay Grant, adding that there is more to be done in the Black Rocks Enhancement Project.
The minister made these remarks at the commissioning of the Black Rocks Viewing Decks on July 15, 2020. He mentioned that the Black Rocks Enhancement Project started in 2016 as a collaboration between the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the White Gate Development Corporation.
He noted that a lot has been accomplished over the years that have transformed the facility. These include paved roads, sidewalks, and footpaths to the individual outlets, significantly improved drainage to prevent flooding; construction of ten chattel house style retail outlets; a reception office, and additional washrooms and accommodations for the differently-abled.
Residents from the nearby communities are employed as groundsmen, maintenance, and staff. The viewing platforms are the latest addition to the project.
Minister Grant stated that Black Rocks has been identified as one of five locations for coastal protection and revetment intervention. Similarly, in the near future, there are plans for a mini sugar cane museum within the Black Rock environs, a sea-grape planting exercise, and the construction of a stairwell with handrails to the beach below.
“I have been advised that if you think that the views from up here on the pasture are stunning, you will be blown away by what the beachside has to offer: wind-sculpted rock formations, 400-year-old lava flows frozen in time, wading pools and a blow-hole that have been used for decades by Black Rocks residents to master their swimming abilities for which they are very well known,” he said.
The minister stated that these new features will add a new dimension to the Black Rocks experience thanks to White Gate Development Corporation.
Minister Grant expressed heartfelt thanks to Ellis Hazel, CEO and Managing Director of the White Gate Development Corporation and also the Corporation in general for their continued partnership and unwavering support on the project.
“Some $1.9 million has already been invested in developing and enhancing this natural attraction,” said Minister Grant.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 16, 2020 (ZIZ News): It was another step forward for the development of Black Rocks with A ceremony on Wednesday to present a new feature.
Tourism and other government officials were among those present at the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for new viewing platforms at Black Rocks.
The platforms span 2 levels and include various spaces for recreational activities.
The new feature is the most recent in a series of upgrades and additions to the area and according to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Carlene Henry Morton said the new decks make taking in the view safer and more accessible.
“In years gone by, people were very scared,” she said. “The precipice was quite treacherous and people didn’t want to venture too close. But when you go on the decks you’re going to realize its a spectacular and stunning view. To look down on the vegetation, and the black sand beneath and the rock formations and lava flows that have been frozen in time and so on. And we felt that people were losing out on all of that by having to stand back. So these decks are going to bring people up close, give them that personal, intimate type of interaction with Black Rocks.”
Minister of Tourism the Hon. Lindsay Grant said the continued development of Black Rocks is significant and symbolic of St. Kitts’ path to the future when the borders reopen.
“As we fine tune our plans for reopening our borders. Today’s celebration is yet another milestone of achievement at Black Rocks. It takes on a special meaning an manifestation of our bright hope and optimism for the future,” he said.
Prime Minister Dr. Hon Timothy Harris said this new development falls in line with the government’s plans to bring the benefits of tourism to more areas outside Basseterre.
“It was our belief, and it still is, that in order for everyone to get their fair share, it would be necessary to decentralise tourism into our rural areas,” he said. “Doing so would facilitate the physical, economic, and social transformation and revitalization of neighbourhoods such as Belle Vue which have traditionally missed out on both the tourism dollar and the discretionary spending of citizens residents and vistors via the consumption of recreation and entertainment
The new decks, which are wheelchair accessible up to the main level, cost just over $350,000 funded by the Whitegate Corporation.
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS July 01, 2020 (Nevis Island Administration) — Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis and in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) is eager to see work commence on the St. Kitts and Nevis Pinney’s Beach Park Project.
The Tourism Minister made the comment while presenting an update on matters relating to the Tourism Sector during his monthly press conference on June 25, 2020.
“I think the public would be aware and remember it was last year August that the President of Taiwan visited Nevis and we had this symbolic turning of the sod, and so yes we have lost three or four months to COVID-19 but the reality is many are anxious including myself to get this project going,” he said.
Mr. Brantley noted that construction was delayed due to the planning process which had to be adhered to.
“What I have been advised is, that in fact, so rigorous is our planning process that it is our own government that’s holding us up at this point. So, everything else is in place but the Planning officials have said that the EIA [Environmental Impact Assessment] and the consultation and all of that has to be done…
“I am told however, that the EIA report from Physical Planning [Department] is in, that it will be considered as quickly as tomorrow Friday when they meet, and then thereafter we will know where we are going, and so the intention is to have that project started,” he said.
The premier stated that the government respects the law and it has adhered to all that is legally required to pave the way for construction after all requirements are met.
Mr. Brantley used the opportunity to alert members of the Nevis public who are interested in working on the project, preparations for which are at an advanced stage.
“I just want to signal to our local people, the population that might be seeking work, that the construction company will be hiring carpenters, steel benders, masons, stone wall builders and other workers in short order, and they should look out for the advertisement in that regard so that they can of course benefit from that,” he said.
The project is jointly funded by the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the NIA at a cost of US 2.7 million. The NIA will provide EC$1million (US$0.3million) while the remaining US$2.4 will be funded by the Republic of China (Taiwan). On completion the facility will serve as a tourist and leisure destination.
The project is described by the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) which is charged with overseeing and executing the project, as one which will celebrate the long-standing friendship between both countries.
“A popular recreational destination for local residents and tourists. St. Kitts and Nevis proposed the construction of a beach park for recreational and leisure use to celebrate the 35 years of friendship between the two nations, and serve as a symbol of the bilateral collaboration.
“Due to Taiwan’s extensive experience in coastal landscaping and park design, project planning and implementation will bring together a range of resources in accordance with the principles of environmental friendliness and multiculturalism.
“A Park Management Committee will also be established and a revenue model identified to set up a sustainable Operation and Maintenance (O and M) system for the beach park,” the ICDF said.
]]>