Jul 15 Over 400 yacht visited SKN during first quarter of 2014...says Skerritt
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - MINISTER with responsibility for Tourism in St. Kitts and Nevis, the Hon. Richard Skerritt said that over 400 yachts had visited the Federation during the first quarter of 2014.
Skerritt made this pronouncement during an exclusive interview with this publication at the recently-held Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Christophe Harbour multi-million dollar Marina project in the Southeast Peninsula.
He declared that the Federation is experiencing and increasing amount of yachting arrivals.
"About four years ago, we set out on a path to let the yachting world know that St. Kitts and Nevis will be more welcoming to yachts and vessels. With the help of what Christophe Harbour is doing, we have been experiencing a significant growth in the yachting sector."
He added that his Ministry has recorded over 600 yachts arrivals for 2013 and already for the first quarter of 2014 there have been over 400 arrivals. "With the new Marina we should be expecting an increase amount."
"We know that the trend is right that if we continue making it easier and more seamless for vessels to be welcomed and processed through the various requirements of immigration and customs, with world class facilities we can see a great improvement," the Minister said.
Skerritt further said that over a year ago the Tourism Ministry had put together a task force consisting of the public and private sectors.
He also noted that the expenditure per person for the yachting sector is significantly high.
"And that is one of the reasons why we are going after it. Remember what we are looking for is higher revenue streams from our visitors."
Skerritt explained that based on several studies done by persons within his Ministry, it is currently preparing a policy statement which would be made public shortly.
Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas on June 20 declared that the Christophe Harbour multi-million dollar Marina Project is a welcomed development for the Federation.
He was at the time speaking at the same Groundbreaking Ceremony, which is said would be completed in January 2015 an would accommodate some 24 mega-yachts.
Source: http://www.sknvibes.com/news/newsdetails.cfm/88106
Oct 28 2013 MaccaX Nevis Triathlon will be staged on the Caribbean island of Nevis
St. Kitts & Nevis - As the end of the 2013 multisport season draws to a close, the Nevis Tourism Authority and the St. Kitts & Nevis Triathlon Federation has officially launched the Macca X Nevis Triathlon to take place on Saturday, November 16th 2013. This follows the signing of a partnership agreement between the Federation and professional Triathlete, and multiple times Ironman World Champion, Chris 'Macca' McCormack.
The 2013 Macca X Nevis Triathlon will be staged on the Caribbean island of Nevis which has been recognized as one of the most exotic places to race and the triathlon, a must-do on the racing circuit.
The international meet is one of triathlon's premier races attracting entrants from around the globe including Australia, France, USA, Great Britain, South Africa and Brazil; as well as the Caribbean region. The completion consists of a 1.5K swim, 60K cycle event and 10K run, plus a standard sprint distance, 750m/20k/5k.
The 3 day triathlon festival will kick off with a swim event and a charity 5k run that has McCormack and the other visiting triathletes competing.
Greg Phillip, Chief Executive Officer of the Nevis Tourism Authority, said, "We are thrilled to have Chris on board. His collaboration with the Nevis Tourism Authority and the St. Kitts & Nevis Triathlon Federation will bring our event to the attention of more athletes and will increase the level of participation".
Speaking of his association with the Nevis Triathlon and the re-branding of the event as the Macca X Nevis International Triathlon Mr. McCormack said, "I am looking forward to again returning to Nevis to race. The island is magical and the 'course' presents a unique challenge in a stunningly beautiful environment. I have raced in some incredible places but Nevis is seriously spectacular. This is a beautiful and energetic race with a feeling of camaraderie among the participants and I am pleased to be now officially associated with the event".
The Nevis International Triathlon began 11 years ago as a celebration of Tourism Week on the island. Over the years, the event has been recognized internationally for the high standard of competition by triathlon publications.
In 2008 Triathlete Magazine listed it as one of its Top 5 Must-Do Races. In 2011 Triathlete Europe named it on its list of Top 20 Must-Do Races. In 2011 L'Equipe Magazine listed Nevis as one of its three most exotic locations for triathlon.
Source: http://sflcn.com/story.php?id=13135
Apr 26 American Airlines maintains leading carrier status into Robert Bradshaw Airport
American Airlines continues to be the leading passenger carrier into St. Kitts' Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport.
The St. Christopher and Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA), which reported a total of 12,874 passenger arrivals in March, disclosed that American Airlines brought in 6,243 passengers on 50 flights, while its commuter carrier brought in 705 from 28 flights, a total of 6,945 passengers from 78 flights.
The second leading carrier was LIAT with 2,384 passengers from 185 flights, followed by British Airways with 900 passengers on 9 flights.
SCASPA's Department of Finance and Statistics reported that next in line was Delta Air with 842 passengers from five flights; US Airways, 664 passengers from five flights; Air Canada, 586 passengers from five flights and Miami Air charter, 171 passengers from 2 flights. WINAIR brought in 108 passengers from 50 flights, Trans Anguilla, 44 passengers from 14 flights and Air Anguilla, 12 passengers from 7 flights.
SCAPA reported a 16 percent increase in passengers arrivals in March, an 11 percent increase in flights inward and outward bound flights into the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport.
Source: http://www.cuopm.com/newsitem_new.asp?articlenumber=3687&post200803=true
Feb 21 St. Kitts Ranked among the Highest Cruise Destinations in Caribbean
Basseterre, St. Kitts (February 19, 2013) - Demonstrating the economic impact of the growth of St. Kitts' cruise tourism sector, a recent study conducted by US-based research firm BREA (Business Research & Economic Advisors) reports significant increases in cruise tourism expenditures and passenger satisfaction, placing the island among the highest-rated destinations in the entire Caribbean in these categories for the 2011/2012 cruise year. The study also reveals growth in cruise passenger arrivals to St. Kitts of more than 400% over the past six years.
The most dramatic increases over the six-year period were in direct cruise tourism spending, which increased nearly ten-fold from $6.7 million to $70.6 million over the six-year period. Average per passenger expenditures in St. Kitts have almost doubled since 2006, while average expenditures across the Caribbean have actually declined by 2%. Average per passenger spend in St. Kitts was measured at $57.40 in the 2006/2006 cruise year, 40% below the Caribbean average, but increased to $108.90 in the 2011/2012 cruise year, 14% above the Caribbean average.
"St. Kitts' recent outstanding performance in the cruise sector is directly attributable to several initiatives undertaken by Government following the decision to end sugar production in 2005," said Senator Ricky Skerritt, Minister of Tourism & International Transport. "The improvements in downtown Basseterre, the development of shops, restaurants and key attractions, and the increasing the number of certified taxi and tour operators in anticipation of demand growth, have clearly had a very positive impact on the experience that St. Kitts offers to visitors." The Tourism Minister also pointed to the role of the St. Christopher Tourism Authority Prescribed Areas Act which he said, "ushered in the establishment of a greater focus on standards, which were integral to the phenomenal success achieved by St. Kitts in a relatively short time."
The percentage of passengers reporting that they there were extremely or very satisfied with their overall St. Kitts shopping experience was 74% in the 2011/2012 cruise year as compared to just 47% in the 2005/2006 cruise year. For the 2011/2012 cruise year, results of the study show that St. Kitts ranks #2 in the Caribbean in passenger satisfaction with their overall visit and #2 in passengers reporting that their visit to St. Kitts met or exceeded their expectations. The destination also ranked at #3 in the Caribbean in passenger satisfaction with their shore excursion, at #4 in average expenditure per passenger and at #6 in total cruise passenger expenditures.
Concurrently, BREA reports substantial growth in cruise passenger arrivals to St. Kitts, which increased from 117,000 in the 2005/2006 cruise year to 629,000 in the 2011/2012 cruise year, an increase of more than 400% as compared to an increase of 13% throughout the Caribbean over the six-year period.
The BREA study was conducted under the auspices of the FCCA (Florida Caribbean Cruise Association) to analyze the contribution of cruise tourism on the economies of 21 destinations located in the Caribbean and Central and South America including Antigua and Barbuda; Aruba; the Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; the British Virgin Islands; the Cayman Islands; Columbia; Costa Rica; Curacao; Dominica; The Dominican Republic; Grenada; Honduras; Nicaragua; San Juan, PR; St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Maarten; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; The Turks and Caicos; the US Virgin Islands.
Source: http://eepurl.com/vEn_5
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