Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 03, 2021 (SKNIS): This years’ celebration of Tourism Awareness Month, which is observed annually from November 01-30highlights the valuable contribution of the sector to all segments of the economy, said the Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Lindsay Grant, during a televised address to the nation on Monday, November 01, 2021, to declare the month open.
“Tourism Awareness Month 2021, is a time to focus our collective attention on the multiplier effect of Tourism across multiple sectors of our economy such as agriculture, fisheries, handicrafts, entertainment, real estate, creative design, engineering, and construction, to name a few,” said Minister Grant during an address to the nation on November 01 to declare Tourism Awareness Month open. “It is imperative that we all appreciate that this transversal, dynamic sector called Tourism has tremendous potential for advancing prosperity and for driving inclusive, sustainable development for current and future generations.”
Minister Grant expressed delight at celebrating Tourism Awareness Month 2021, especially at a time when there is a need to focus “collective attention on tourism’s undisputed social, cultural, political and economic value,” as well as focus on re-energizing the sector post-COVID-19.
“I, therefore, welcome this opportunity to once again shine the spotlight on Tourism, this time on the local tourism sector specifically, especially as we continue our journey of recovery and recalibration, adjusting our attitudes, actions and ways of doing business to meet the demands of a transformed and ever-changing tourism landscape,” said the tourism minister. “Collectively, we must continue to rise to the challenge. We must not perceive the pandemic as just a time of crisis and constraint. We must also see it as a catalyst for spurring much-needed change, innovation and transformation in the sector; as a watershed moment, ushering in and expediting welcomed cross-sectoral reforms and interventions and driving collaboration and cooperation to support safe and sustainable recovery that ultimately will benefit the industry and the economy as a whole.”
The tourism minister added that the “ultimate goal is a return to a carefully managed, resilient, competitive and much sought-after tourism product, one that once again supports thousands of jobs across several sectors and enables progress and prosperity for our people.”
The theme for Tourism Awareness Month this year is “Tourism for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Economic Recovery.”
