BASSETERRE — Tourism Minister Marsha T. Henderson launched a series of stakeholder engagement meetings this week aimed at reviewing the success of the current cruise season while preparing for the upcoming slate of arrivals. The first consultation, held at the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club on June 16, brought together members of the taxi fraternity to discuss operational improvements, policy development and strategies to strengthen the destination’s tourism offering.
Henderson emphasized that meaningful dialogue with industry partners remains essential as St. Kitts positions itself for continued growth.
“Tourism continues to be the backbone of our economy,” Henderson said. “As we look towards the future it is critical that we focus on increasing benefits of tourism through the engagement of our communities and increase spend to drive growth in our economy.”
The June 16 meeting addressed multiple priorities, including development of an impending Rainforest Tour Guides Policy, operational challenges facing taxi operators, and strategies to enhance the overall visitor experience. Taxi drivers, who serve as frontline ambassadors in the tourism sector, provided valuable feedback on market conditions and customer interactions.
Data presented at the meeting showed strong momentum for St. Kitts. According to Henderson and her team, cruise arrivals have reached their strongest levels since 2019, with a robust summer schedule ahead positioning the destination for sustained tourism revenue.
Henderson was joined by Tivanna Wharton, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism; Kelly Fontenelle, Chief Executive Officer of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority; and Melnecia Marshall, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. Representatives from the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority, Frigate Bay Development Corporation, and Urban Development Corporation also participated.
The Ministry plans to continue stakeholder consultations over the coming weeks with additional tourism partners. Officials said the collaborative approach will help ensure the sector continues generating meaningful opportunities for local businesses and residents while enhancing visitor experiences.