‘We want North Leeward to be ahead of the game’

Clem Derrick, Chairman of the North Leeward Tourism association wants tourism in the North Leeward area to be of some relevance. He is looking towards the staging of the International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup and is hoping that some of the visitors in the region for the event would find their way to the North Leeward area.{{more}}

Located towards the north-western end of mainland St. Vincent, North Leeward has a range of natural attractions. Some of them like Trinity Falls, Dark View falls, Falls of Baleine, Richmond Beach and river, Petit Bordel Falls and the Troumaca Dam, have been fairly well publicised.

Derrick referred to a number of other “undiscovered treasures.” The Miss Mary Falls in Rose Hall is an example. He also pointed to other archaeological and historical sites like the “13 Stone” on Petit Bordel Hill.

There are also petroglyphs and remnants of ancient civilisation buried in the area’s landscape.

Derrick was speaking at the opening of Basic Hospitality Skills and Community Tourism Training Programme Workshop.

The session is taking place at the Learning Resource Centre at Golden Grove, between the communities of Chateaubelair and Fitz Hughes in the North Leeward area. It is being conducted by Diana McIntyre-Pike, Chairman of the Countrystyle Community Tourism Network.

Some 35 trainees are taking advantage of the exposure and those who succeed in the first month’s programme, would become eligible for on-going training at established tourism institutions.

McIntrye Pike, was accompanied by her son, Mark who is also a director with Countrystyle International Ltd.

Area Representative Dr. Jerrol Thompson also addressed the gathering. He used the occasion to promote his government’s thrust towards “rebranding” St. Vincent and the Grenadines. For him, the drive is to promote the nation as the “true, authentic Caribbean experience.”

McIntryre was excited about the programme and declared: “I feel at home.” She urged the trainees: “Do not take this lightly.”

Dr. Thompson boasted of the diversity of the Vincentian tourism product, from sailing in the Grenadines, to differing beaches in the Grenadines and mainland St, Vincent, and eco-tourism sites nationwide.

The Area Representative highlighted the need to “train people to take advantage of the tourism industry.”

Mark told the trainees: “You have the chance to do it right. This is an opportunity for SVG to do it right.”

He expressed confidence in the class and begged: “We are depending on you. We want you as part of this new vision for the Caribbean.”