TOURISM DEVELOPED TOO QUICKLY
Friday, April 16th, 2010DENIS KELLMAN’S COLUMN- THE DEBATE
DECEMBER 6, 2007
At a public meeting in Moon Town last year, I stated that we are willing to accept all capital projects that Barbados does not want. These projects include another hospital, a seaport, an airport with international runway, a cricket and baseball stadium.
These projects were offered to Barbados to help with its development. These offers were not accepted so I said that we have room for them. I told the gathering that the hospital could be to the east near to north point and that health tourism could be marketed in a big way. I said then that because of the dilapidated condition of the St. Joseph hospital that it would have been too costly to build there, along with the BWA well that is located in the area. I also told the Minister of Housing that he should be careful with his allocation for housing solutions because one of the areas suggested was already identified for an Airport. We are all aware of the plans I have always espoused and implemented for North Stars.
This plan is now even more advanced and sooner rather than later, we should be having our stadium at North Stars. The baseball stadium must be foremost in any development at the naval base site. This is only a continuation of what occurred there previously.
Moderators have accused me of speaking only of St. Lucy. This was even demonstrated by a Government Minister who renamed a landmark from the Judge Gap to Kellman’s Road to prevent me from saying that nothing is being done beyond the Judge Gap.
I have been able to educate Barbadians and tourist alike about that place which was once referred to as behind God’s back. Before an invitation to Lucy’s territory was always rejected as it had nothing to offer. Thirteen years later it is now the most accepted and sought after place to live and lime.
We have been able to offer community tourism to the rest of Barbados. This concept has kept a relationship between their tourist and Barbadians.
Our tourism has developed too quickly. Not in terms of equal distribution and numbers but by using efficiency to deprive the masses of their fair share of the tourism pie.
As a result of the cruise ships, we have bought coaches to take the tourists around which deprive them of a golden opportunity to truly appreciate Barbados. Our tourism was better served when we had the mini mokes for hire. This allowed the tourists to ramble across Barbados and interact with the locals. As it stands now, the tour operators are deciding sites of interest and normally these sites are chosen with cliques in mind and not the culture of Barbados at heart.
If you were to ask any tour operator about sites in St. Lucy they would proffer about four out of the possible twenty-five.
I have always said that I do not have a problem with the all inclusive concept, but I have a problem with how it is implemented. Too often, these tourists are allowed to be too inclusive and are not permitted to enjoy the true Barbados.
This practice has led to many hotels not maximizing their true profit. Every minute spent on an all inclusive property means more cost to the hotel. Hotels should always get together with the service industry and develop certain nights as true culture nights.
Hoteliers need to understand that the tourist industry is for all of us. For too long, we have been operating as if this industry is for a “too few”. This believe has created animosity between the players and the industry has suffered as a result.
We have given the tourist the impression that Barbados can be seen in one day. This myth must be corrected and it should be done by parish taking in all the rum shops and other points of interest.
Major manufacturers of rum and beer must get on board and start their own tours of rum shops. This is enough for a day. When marketing their rum or beer, they should be promoting the shops from which their products can be sourced. It cannot only be the visitor centre run by them, but their clients must also be promoted. If this is implemented the sales and bottom line would show the wisdom of the suggestion.
The tourist industry players must learn from the errors they made in the Sugar Industry and understand the importance of small suppliers to the industry. Those of us who were part of that industry understand the impact of the reduction of small suppliers to it and saw the sudden decline when smallholders stopped planting canes.
A man who cuts canes for himself might cut canes for someone else and will show an interest in the industry.
Barbadians will protect the tourist industry if they can see the benefits. The tourist will be protected from Kellman’s Road to Date Tree Hill in St. Lucy.
Lucy’s territory is the peace zone and this as a result of our positive approach to things. For example, because you were from St. Lucy, you were expected to be dominated and remain unnoticed. As a consequence of not accepting that for my people, certain persons have tried hard to deprive me of my achievements.
Some politicians believe that our achievements must be done by a picture in the press. I beg to differ. I see our achievements as personal and that is why outsiders are quick to embarrass themselves. As a politician, I guard my constituents’ business as a one to one affair. I am here to represent all.
I want to thank the Minister of Public Works for approving the road program for Brathwaite’s Construction. I felt that it was only fair for them to be part of the program not only because my constituents would benefit, but it is my view that small construction firms need more Government patronage than the international firms.
I have already said that we too need a program. As early as 1994, I demonstrated that we had the greatest need by listing over 115 roads to be constructed. I also set about to demonstrate that it could have been achieved if an appreciation was given to my solution. The depot has demonstrated without a shadow of a doubt that it is capable of delivering if the equipment, personnel and materials are provided. While others criticize me, I perform in kind.
Lucy’s children are hardworking and will share in all of the goodies. We have the available landmass to make us important. In order for Barbados to be a developed country, Lucy’s territory must be developed. When Lucy’s territory is fully developed, others will understand why we are not Blue Peter Sharks. We take nothing at face value. It must be tested by us.
The courts will prove that we always understood the value of a line mark. If land is important in Barbados now, it has always been important to Lucy. I remember hearing landowners in St. Lucy saying that they buy land not sell it. Land was used to develop poor families.
Do unto others as you would like them do unto you. A secret should be kept, not told. Wise advice should be taken not denied.
A call was made this week for the police and defense force to work together. This call came from the Chief Justice of Barbados who would have heard me proffering this to his party when he was the Attorney General of Barbados. A foolish suggestion from me today is a sensible one tomorrow. Be careful when you criticize me that it does not come back to haunt you.
Peace, love, unity, fairness, humility, humbleness, Kellmanomics, wisdom and understanding.
