CTO looks at airlift challenges in the Caribbean

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) intends to put together proposals to LIAT and Caribbean Airlines in terms of challenges faced with airlift in the Caribbean.{{more}}

This was stated by Minister of Tourism Cecil Mckie during a press conference yesterday, at the Ministry of Tourism.

Mckie, giving an update on the CTO week he attended in New York from June 4 to 9, stated that Airlift in the Caribbean was one topic discussed during the meetings.

“This was a very interesting session, because it highlighted the challenges that the Caribbean region faces, where airlift is concerned,” he said.

He added that it was concluded that the answers for the airlift challenges lie in the hands of LIAT and Caribbean Airlines.

“The CTO will put together a proposal to the airlines to look at these challenges and see where they can respond, so I suspect that in the short term, we will have personnel from the CTO to further discuss this matter. Because we know SVG is one shareholder of LIAT,” Mckie stated.

Mckie also stated that the week included meetings which discussed the Caribbean’s relation with the diaspora. He added that discussions included how they can better utilize the diaspora in promoting the Caribbean Tourism product, as well as to forge closer links between the diaspora and the Caribbean countries.

Mckie stated that the persons within the diaspora play a critical role in “in terms of remittances and other development programmes” in St Vincent and the Grenadines. He added that they are seeing how the diaspora can better relate to what is happening in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“For example, what investment opportunities can be made available to them so that they can benefit, even while they support the various social programmes that take place in the countries,” he said.

Mckie stated that St Vincent and the Grenadines also had an opportunity to see what their competitors offered at the Caribbean Travel and Country Promotional Fair. He added that the Fair allowed them to display different product and services available in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Mckie was also interviewed by media houses in New York.(OS)