Dear Editor

May I congratulate the St Phillips North Member of Parliament Robin Yearwood for his stand against another hotel taking our beaches.

For years, we have fought to keep access to our beautiful beaches open to the people of Antigua. Although we claim a beach for every day of the year, how many can we actually get to by foot or car?

Our island must look to the long-term future. Tourism everywhere is on the decline. The planes arrive half empty. Money is tight worldwide.

We must not rely only on tourists to bring in revenue. Once we were an island of agriculture.

Sugar, sea-island cotton, pineapples, bananas – wonderful fruits and vegetables. Let us develop what we have and rejoice in our land, sea and beaches.