Caribbean 2015 Travel

Medicinal Marijuana, Tobago Jazz and More in Caribbean travel

By William Doyle-Marshall

The 30 member Caribbean Tourism Organization has joined in the debate around medicinal marijuana with the focus on medical and wellness tourism. At its State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) in the United States Virgin Islands, the notion or reality of marijuana tourism was discussed. Experts debated issues related to the subject as part of a broader discussion on medical, health and wellness tourism. St. Kitts-born Senator Terence Positive Nelson, an advocate for the topic was among presenters. Since then voters in the USVI approved a proposal at a referendum designed to introduce legislation in support of medicinal marijuana. In addition the territory’s legislators have passed a measure to decriminalize marijuana. “That means lower the penalty from a criminal offence to a civil offence,” Senator Nelson explained.

 Senator Nelson said the trend to decriminalize marijuana offence is a national matter which stems from the cost of incarcerating and adjudicating individuals for that infraction. He is pleased that the Caribbean Tourism Organization is participating in the discussion because the Caribbean is known for marijuana cultivation. “Our atmosphere, our culture is accustomed to this and to take advantage of the medicinal approach since mainstream America and modern medicine and the AMA have accepted the medicinal value of marijuana, it only makes sense,” the Senator added.

He wants the Caribbean as a whole to adopt this as a Caribbean commodity. Senator Nelson sees this as be the revenue source for the infrastructure needed throughout the Caribbean nations which need the infrastructure to encourage tourism. “It goes hand in hand. It’s already common in this region and to now bring it above board and take revenue resources off it to help us with our infrastructure improvement just makes commonsense and dollars and sense,” Senator Nelson affirmed..

  In other regional developments, St. Kitts kicked off the New Year by hosting The Opus Group’s 14^th Annual Leadership Summit, a prestigious business networking event that connects buyers and suppliers together in an informal environment to foster business development in unique destinations.  The Summit held in early January showcased the island as a prime location for meeting, incentive, corporate and event travel.

    As the global economy continues its recovery and business travel is increasing as a result, Racquel Brown, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority considered it an ideal time to showcase St. Kitts as a viable and appealing option for this niche market of which cruise business is an important part.

    Earlier in 2014 at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) 7th Tourism Human Resources Conference in Tobago delegates were warned if the Caribbean tourism industry is not prepared to cater to visitors in this new digital age, they will lose business to destinations capable of doing so. Orville London, Chief Secretary in the Tobago House of Assembly, issued the warning during the opening ceremony. “We have to train and sensitize our employees, our stakeholders and our citizens that if we do not get on board with the technology the ship will sail to another port,” he said.

   Over 100 human resources professionals and tourism industry partners gathered at the Magdalena Grand Beach Resort for the conference. In addressing the conference theme, ‘Achieving High Performance in Caribbean Tourism in the New Networked Work Environment’, London also lamented that many hoteliers and other tourism industry players were yet to implement online marketing strategies.  He challenged delegates to find creative ways to share the knowledge gained in the conference to inspire others in the industry to embrace the benefits of these new digital technologies.

                              Bernard Mitchell,(left) CEO, Eco Industrial 

                              Development Company of Tobago and John Arnold, 

                              events coordinator in Toronto promoting Tobago

   “We have to satisfy the discerning visitor who wishes to experience all the simple pleasures, all the natural ambience, all the scenic beauty and the hospitality of our people that we advertise in our brochures but at the same time is not prepared to be inconvenience by communication and other challenges,” the Chief Secretary told delegates. 

   CTO Secretary General, Hugh Riley, suggested if only tourism developers would unlock their creative capacity they could create new employment opportunities within the tourism sector and increase the loyalty among visitors to Caribbean shores.

   “Tourism is the business of creating and delivering memorable experiences to people who have left their own environment and have gone to great lengths to share our space and break bread with us.  How we manage that is entirely within our control.  There is no limit to the ideas involved in turning those strangers and their friends into our friends forever,” Riley said.

   The CTO’s Secretary General also underscored the importance of ensuring that persons who work in the Caribbean tourism sector are made to feel a sense of ownership of the sector and are encouraged to strive to provide excellent service which surpasses that which is offered by competitors. This, he said, is one way to sustain the industry.

   Current cultural announcements coming from the industry is the very popular Tobago Jazz Experience – April 18 through April 26. Some of the world’s well known stars have been contracted to perform at the week-long affair. Jenifer Hudson, Kool and the Gang and Jill Scott are among the cast of international and regional superstars for what organizers boast will be another highly successful Tobago Jazz Experience. Secretary of Tourism and Transportation, Tracy Davidson-Celestine excited by the quality of acts planned for the week of activities said this project has the effect of benefitting ordinary Tobagonians. “The Jazz experience also helps to build indigenous Tobago businesses and I want to encourage Tobagonians to not be afraid and take the opportunities to be successful by getting into the business of tourism,” Mrs. Davidson Celestine added. Her division is encouraging ordinary Tobagonians to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the tourism industry.

 “When one looks at the people who are entrepreneurs and are in the tourism business one can see the economic potential and I urge particularly young Tobagonians to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the growing sector,” she emphasized.

   Meanwhile, the recent announcement of a change in diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States is a welcome opportunity to increase tourist arrivals to the Caribbean, says CTO. The US is the region’s largest source market, producing nearly half of our tourism business. Last year we welcomed over 12 million Americans to our shores. Any opportunity to substantially increase that number will be welcomed.

   Cuba is a longstanding and active CTO member since 1992. The organization engages the destination in its efforts in Canada, Latin America and Europe and it looks forward to including the country in our programmes in the United States.