Media workers receive tourist treatment during tour of windward coast

Six members of the local media recently received tourist treatment during a tour of tourism and recreation sites on the windward side of St Vincent.{{more}}

The media tour, which was part of a two-day workshop hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, featured the Belmont lookout, Owia Salt Pond, La Soufriere, the Black Point Tunnel and Rawacou Recreation Site.

The Belmont lookout stands overlooking the Mesopotamia Valley, offering a great view of St Vincent’s “bread basket” and photo opportunities for tourists.

Sternley Walker of National Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority said the lookout is more popularly patronized at specific times of the year.

“During the cruise season we have a lot of tourists coming,” he said.

“On weekends, holidays, we find a lot of locals coming through. Outside of that we don’t really have much…”

Walker also noted that the site is considered a pit stop because of its close proximity to the road and lack of seating.

An information booth and bathroom are present at the lookout, which is staffed with two workers who work half day shifts from Monday to Friday.

On the northern end of the island sits the Owia Salt Pond. According to Walker, this tourist site, which usually attracts large numbers of locals on national holidays, was originally developed by the Forestry Division and only featured a washroom and one gazebo.

Today, the site has developed significantly, with several gazebos scattered all over the compound, a reception area, washrooms and vending facilities for busy tourist days.

Developed as a site in the late 1980s, La Soufriere was also managed by Forestry. The beginning of the trail at the foot of the volcano features washrooms, a gazebo and an information booth.

Walker informed media personnel that while National Parks and Beaches Authority is responsible for the upkeep of the site, the Forestry Division is in charge of the forest and wildlife.

Jeffrey Hopson, site manager of the Black Point Tunnel, described the tunnel as a major site in St Vincent.

“It’s a historical representation of the area…the tunnel is fantastic especially when you go through and reflect on the past…” Hopson opined.

The site manager also noted that several scenes in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise were filmed at Black Point, which adds to the site’s attraction.

Another site popular with many locals on holidays, Hopson stated that Black Point does not get a lot of visitors on a regular basis.

“Before the site was reborn in 2010…we had a lot of cruise ship visitors,” he said. “We’re not seeing much of these folks these days.”

Black Point, like most sites in St Vincent, is equipped with an information booth, washroom facilities and several gazebos.

Weddings and receptions are also a popular occurrence at the site.

Similarly, Rawacou, along the Windward cost, just south of Argyle, is also popular for hosting weddings and receptions.

It is also run and maintained by the National Parks Authority and has the common amenities of bathrooms, changing rooms, an information office and gazebos available.

Bordered by the rough Atlantic Ocean, Rawacou features a partially manmade salt pond for bathing.

Walker explained that the pond was originally drilled to make it deeper; however, high tides washed sand back into the pond over time.

“The left side would be the deeper side of the pond while the right is shallower,” he said.

The common thread joining most of these National Parks managed sites, is that there is a fee of EC$1 attached to using the bathrooms, as well as fees for using the gazebos.

Walker explained that this fee is used to maintain the respective sites and keep them in the best condition possible.

He also said that group rates are offered, which allows groups to use the facilities for a flat price.(BK)