At a time when our country needs a serious influx of revenue, our Government has chosen to waive taxes due from Cap Juluca to the tune of seventeen million dollars. This decision has left many disgruntled, particularly those of us who are still struggling to pay our property taxes. Given the enormity of the sum involved, I was surprised to learn of the decision because it is no secret that our country is still tightly gripped by financial woes. However, I rationalized that, given how cash-strapped our Government is, there must be a very good reason why it would forgive this amount of debt when much more is needed to provide critical services to residents. According to the Honourable Chief Minister, this was not an easy decision to make but one that was necessitated by the situation his Government found itself in. From his account, Cap Juluca had paid its taxes via cheques to the Government for years, but the former Government refused to cash those cheques, and this Government has been advised that in the circumstances – and the time that has passed – it is best to cut its losses rather than engage in a legal battle over the matter when there is an urgent need to have the property sold. The Chief Minister is of the view that the decision is in the best interest of Anguilla, given the prominence of Cap Juluca as part of our tourism product. Whatever the reason, it takes a lot to look away from seventeen million dollars. Whether this stance will result in the accelerated sale of Cap Juluca, as our Government hopes, is left to be seen.
As indicated in last week’s editorial, there is a dire need to encourage investment in Anguilla. With tourism being our main industry, it falls to reason that most of the investment should be in this area. For a long time we have focused on low volume high value tourism, but I am a firm believer that if we are to maximize the benefits from this industry, we have to rethink this philosophy. In my view, we have to develop a product that appeals to a wider market of discerning travelers and brings the numbers that can justify and sustain the development of an international airport with much improved access to Anguilla. There are many options for product development, available to us, which we have not come close to making maximum use of. Anguilla has much more to offer than unparalleled beaches. It is a culinary haven with a vibrant musical scene, several historical attractions (in need of development), diverse flora, fauna and unique topographical features; and its laid back atmosphere makes it a prime spot for those seeking to rest and recuperate from health challenges. There is no reason why we cannot expand our product to cater to tourists interested in culinary, festival, heritage, ecological and health tourism and have existing properties or new properties offer more budget friendly options. With proper product development, and marketing, properties can stay open year round. In that way, our economy will not hibernate for five months every year. This can only bring positive benefits for residents, businesses and, by extension, the Government’s Treasury.
In short, we have to resuscitate our tourism industry and make it work for us. Even though I am in full support of economic diversification, I am of the view that we cannot escape the fact that tourism will always be our main economic driver, and we must therefore treat it accordingly. We have played too much politics with tourism over the years and, in my view, we have been left behind by our Caribbean neighbours and many destinations around the world. For several years now the Tourist Board has been changed more often than a new born baby. There has been little investment in product development, we have had ongoing challenges with marketing and, from an outsider’s perspective, there is the lack of a consistent message from the Ministry of Tourism, the Tourist Board and the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association about the overall direction of tourism development. In fact, it sometimes appears as if these entities are at odds with each other.
So while our Government is eager to ensure the viability of Cap Juluca, as it should be, I challenge our leaders to channel their energies towards re-energizing and building a tourism industry which can sustain the economy year round.
