| |
Contact:
Julita Peter
Monday, December 06, 2004 - The Ministry of Tourism has contracted the
services of ACME Tourism and Consultancy Incorporated to undertake a consultancy
for the yachting sector, as the Ministry proceeds with the development of a
comprehensive plan for the tourism sector.
The consultancy agreement was signed on Monday December 6th between the local
company and the Office of Private Sector Relations (OPSR), who will provide
funding of over EC$ 228,000 for the project, which is expected to last three
months.
Executive Director of the OPSR, Jacqueline Emmanuel said, “Ultimately our gaol
is to assist the private sector in attaining and maintaining international
competitiveness, and so we are happy to assist in bringing the private sector on
board, and in seeing that this initiative goes forth to develop a very critical
aspect of our tourism sector”.
Managing Director of ACME Consulting Incorporated, Agnes Francis said in
addition to examining trends in the yachting sector, the consultancy exercise
will assess the current impact of the yachting sector in terms of employment and
foreign exchange. The consultancy will be undertaken in conjunction with
yachting experts, Thomas J. Murray and Associates out of Florida.
“We will undertake an assessment of the current legislative instruments which
impact on the sector, including overlaps, gaps, inconsistencies and lack of
clarity”, Mrs. Francis said.
In October 2004, St. Lucia welcomed over 20,000 yacht passengers, a figure that
is expected to double in the coming months. Tourism Minister, Hon. Philip J.
Pierre reiterated government’s plans for improving the environment for the
yachting sector, as is evident in the granting of duty free status on yachts
overnighting here.
The consultancy will be supervised by a project oversight team, comprising key
public and private sector representatives.
|
