Antigua & Barbuda, as of December 2013, will welcome another major sailing event to its shores.

Hoteliers and cruise operators welcomed the renovation of the capital city, planned by the St John’s Development Corporation (SJDC), while asking for a balanced approach.

Hoteliers and cruise operators welcomed the renovation of the capital city, planned by the St John’s Development Corporation (SJDC), while asking for a balanced approach.
Nathan Dundas, president of Antigua & Barbuda cruise tourism association, was one of six panellists at a Chamber of Commerce forum and luncheon yesterday on the topic of the renovation of Heritage Quay and surrounding areas.
He said the cruise lines are supportive of the modernisation of St John’s as many of their ships have outgrown the facilities.
“It is no secret that various cruise lines have indicated that our product has grown tired. As we look around it is a fact – we need to enhance St John’s,” Dundas said. “However, what I believe needs to be done is to create a balance and careful approach to how that is done.”
The cruise operator representative added that the historical significance of St John’s must play a role in the renovation of the city as many tourists to the country are curious about the island’s history and culture.
“What better way from us to show them than to actually show them the relics themselves,” he said.
Dundas’ remarks follow the controversial planned removal of the present Ministry of Health building in the surrounding Heritage Quay area. Many voices, including those of the opposition, have asked that government reconsider removing the building as it is of much historical significance.
Cameron Fraser, managing director of Key Properties Ltd, said that he did not want the forum to be another “talk-shop” with no action. He referenced the consultations with St Maarten’s former Minister of Tourism, Theo Heyliger, saying that in St Maarten they executed their plans.
“We have consistently had plans and we do not implement them entirely and we walk away with it incomplete,” he said. “This is not credible to the cruise lines or any other investors and we tend to lose out.”
Fraser added that government must not be afraid to deal with “uncomfortable” issues, specifically dealing with taxi operators who have resisted moves to change the areas at Heritage Quay where they ply their trade.
“They are trying, like all of us, to represent their business interest,” Fraser said. “Given the right environment to do that, the city of St John’s will improve.”
Sylvester Browne, chairman of the SJDC, set the agenda for the forum saying his organisation had “a dire situation on our hands” with regards to the need for improving St John’s.
“We will start with Heritage Quay as that is the heart of St John’s,” he said. “We will then take that process outward as we move along.”
Paul Aflak, manager of Lolitas Dream Home, said that the city needed to be viewed as a mall – or one entity. He said factors of security, accessibility, layout, pricing, and garbage disposal needed to be addressed.
The Chamber, many of whose members operate in St John’s, organised a panel of presenters to discuss the topic “St John’s City – vision and imperatives for the road ahead” giving the business community an opportunity to weigh in.

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