Tourism Ministry to hold meeting with persons interested in accommodating SIDS4 delegates
Owners and caretakers of rental properties, homes, apartments, and
bed-and-breakfast operations are being encouraged to attend a
meeting about accommodations for the upcoming Small Island
Developing States (SIDS4) conference, which is two months away.
The Ministry of Tourism will be hosting this meeting next
Wednesday, March 27, at 5:30 p.m., at the Multi-Purpose Centre,
where officials are to provide information about the international
conference.
It was noted that “attendees will learn more about the
accommodation requirements” and how they can participate in this
event.
The Ministry says it is committed to working with property owners
and caretakers to ensure that visitors have a comfortable and
enjoyable stay here.
Initially, the conference was expected to attract over 5,000 delegates
from across the globe. However, insiders claim this number will not
be realized because of insufficient airlift.
However, the confirmed delegates will create a significant demand
for accommodation during this period, and the Cabinet’s plan to
utilize cruise ships to boost the room stock has been aborted,
ostensibly because it is too costly.
Reportedly, an expert has been working on an alternative approach
that uses private accommodation to house the delegates and has
categorized these accommodations as levels A, B, C.
Those classified at A-level will cost up to US$280 daily; B-level up to
US$250 daily; and C-level up to US$200 per day.
Therefore, the Ministry of Tourism is inviting all interested persons
to register for official property inspection by calling 468-4039 or
464-3007 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily.
A source says that, with things so hard in this country, a person with
even one empty bedroom should seek to make some extra money.
Meanwhile, another resident is asking what will be done by the
Ministry to ensure that rental properties, homes and apartments
that are located near bars and clubs are not severely impacted by
noise pollution.
The person is concerned that some of these establishments create a
ghetto-style environment, which would create some nuisance to the
visitors.
It was also noted that no visiting delegate would want to be located
in an area where gun crime is high, and loud music is being played
until early hours in the morning.
What locals accept, visitors may not be inclined to do the same, this
person says.