Every quarter The Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association holds a general meeting at which it invites a special guest speaker.
When these hoteliers and their associates from ancillary businesses meet in June, it will be at their annual general conference at which a new executive will assume office. It will neither be the time nor the place for them to entertain a special guest speaker.
Their focus will be on how things had been for them over the past 12 months and the prospects for the coming year. It will also be a time for them to talk about the woes in the sector, the challenges they face and what needs to be done. Their emphasis will also be on the land-based product.
Tourism is the business of each and every Barbadian given the added benefits it generates and the way it affects all of us. This includes cruise tourism, an ever-increasing popular choice for the holidaymaker.
Of course the entry into the Barbados market of Gordon “Butch” Stewart and his Sandals Resorts International may still be a talking point, even if only to remind Government of its concessions to this group. However, few can deny what Sandals will bring Barbados in terms of brand exposure in varied markets across North America and even in Europe. Outside of Hilton International, there is no other hotel locally which has the advertising and marketing pull of Sandals. So, the debate as to the merits and benefits of having Sandals will continue.
On the other hand, few can deny the gains from the cruise tourism sector, even if spend by individual cruisers is down. The reality is that with Barbados not being an originating point for most of the cruises berthing at the Bridgetown Port, it is difficult for local retailers to compete with other markets with similar product offerings and where prices may be better.
Nonetheless, the cruise sector remains important. Hopefully, these passengers will continue to visit in their numbers from October to April. The island needs to deal with the people who can play a significant role in getting these cruisers here.
Arnold Donald is going to be critical in the process. This African-American is a key player in the industry as president and chief executive officer of Carnival Corp. a Florida-based business which operates 101 ships. Every Wednesday of every week in every month, one of his vessels docks at the port with thousands of passengers. As the head honcho of Carnival Corp. he has responsibility for ten cruise businesses, all but two of them sailing the Caribbean sea.
Donald seems the ideal choice to address local hoteliers. It would also be a great opportunity for the taxi drivers and tour operators as well as those running attractions to hear from and talk with him. Of course, it would be the ideal chance for Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy along with their technocrats to also meet and hear from this mover and shaker in this cruise sector. We would expect Foster & Ince along with Suntours to be in on any meeting.
Donald is repositioning his organisation to undertake business in a more unified manner rather than the traditional individuality and even competition among its brands. So, he has ordered a review of the way things are done. Carnival is now focusing on the “three C’s” – communication, collaboration and cooperation – between brands.
Perhaps rather than wait until the next general meeting in September, local hoteliers should arrange a special meeting to get Donald here.
