Jeevan A. Robinson
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Several sackings took place today on Montserrat as directed from the lawyers representing the Montserrat Development Corporation on behalf of the Government of Montserrat. Those who saw their posts terminated included two Montserrat Development Corporation (MDC) Directors; Anita Nightingale, Director of Tourism and also Ayiesha de Coteau-Sammy, Director of Trade & Investment Promotion.
Both were fired via email correspondence via the MDC's lawyers, as directed by Premier Romeo’s office. Investigations by MNI Alive Media revealed that neither of the ladies were informed officially by any Government of Montserrat official, or the Premier himself, that the organisation they worked for, the MDC, was ordered closed three weeks ago.
Additionally, in light of the impending closure of the MDC, no information has been shared as to the way forward for trade and investment promotion, and also the now fired Director of Tourism, Nightingale, was never briefed by the Premier, who has ultimate responsibility for tourism, as to what the forward plan would be for such a critical component of Montserrat’s often spoken about sustainable future.
In light of these developments, MNI Alive asks, "what is Premier Romeo’s plan for tourism on Montserrat going forward?"
The public at large have heard bits, here and there, but Romeo has not presented an articulated plan for tourism growth on Montserrat – a key contributor to the economy
MNI Alive further understands from verified sources that the Premier intends to bring tourism under his office to carry out its functions from that location. But is this the ideal solution for Montserrat’s tourism future? Tourism is a very specialised field, and would require key persons trained and in the know about the hospitality industry to direct its future. Is the idea of reconstituting the Tourism Board or even a new Tourism Authority, not one being considered by Premier Romeo and his advisors?
Miss Nightingale’s sacking brings to the fore another development in the area of access, that the Premier must seek to answer to the people of Montserrat.
A very significant deal has been in negotiations since July, 2014, by the now sacked Tourism Director. MNI Alive understands on good footing, that this deal was finalised as recently as yesterday on a trip to Antigua with Access Co-ordinator, Mr David Duberry.
The deal is that Montserrat is now in a position to have even further open and assured access with a new airline set to begin operation, opening Montserrat to new gateways to include Guadeloupe, St Maarten, and St Kitts with the use of Twin Otter type aircraft.
Under this agreement, MNI Alive understands that Montserratians can fly directly to and from these destinations.
In addition, the airline, Caribbean Helicopters Limited, through its new partnership with LIAT, will provide the facility for visitors living in overseas lucrative tourism source markets to book directly to Montserrat. None of our existing airlines to include Fly Montserrat or SVG can do that presently.
Speaking with Miss Nightingale, MNI Alive Media understands that it was she, without any support from former the former MDC CEO, or Premier Romeo even, who worked on this since July, 2014, and now it is coming to bear fruit for Montserrat.
It so happens that Miss Nightingale was sacked just hours after signing off on this major development for access to Montserrat.
Will this deal still go through now she is no longer in as Director of Tourism?
Premier Romeo must seek to speak to the people of Montserrat on these key matters as the potential for more visitors to enter the island’s shores stands on the brink. Not only that, but the benefit to the local economy towards jobs and monies in people’s pockets cannot be overstated.
MNI Alive sought to know, for the ten months since being in office, what did the Tourism Division accomplish? We came up with the following feats the Division managed to accomplish so far:
1) Tourism Brand Strategy: researched and tested in the source markets with potential tourists. Strategy was presented to Premier Romeo, selected government officials, the MDC Board, Tourism stakeholders, key media and Rotarians. We understand that they ALL provided positive feedback, which was included to enhance the strategy and it, was verbally embraced
2) Rebranded website
3Expanded gateway access (as outlined above)
4) Blog - where visitors actually write articles about their experience
5) An illustrated map of Plymouth - intended for the Plymouth interpretive signs
6) Plymouth audio stories on cd - intended to be embedded in the Plymouth interpretive signs
7) Island tour on cd so that visitors will be provided a professional, sound tour by all taxi drivers
8) Prizes for the Montserrat Flower Show to include an all expenses paid participation in horticultural shows in Martinique and Dominica (expenses covered by the OECS)
Project Tourism Division have in progress are:
1) An electronic survey developed by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation to measure the level of visitor satisfaction and their financial contribution to our economy. In progress since last December.
2) Modernization / Regulation of taxi drivers in collaboration with the Ministry of Comms and Works, the Licensing Department, the Police and the MTTA .This is to lead to taxis being licensed separately from heavy commercial vehicles, and ensure that drivers and vehicles are tested for fitness and safety for the roads and their passengers. In progress since last October.
3) Bringing Hamanasi Dive Resort to the island this month. In progress since last September.
4) Training of tour guides and taxi drivers for Plymouth tours. In progress since last August.
5) Mini guides for dining, Top Ten Things to do, and birding - intended to be downloadable from the website and available in the Visitor Centre (In progress since February)
6) FaceBook strategy. In progress since February.
7) Analysis of airport and ferry port arrivals. In progress since June.
8) Analysis of yacht arrivals. In progress since September.
