Chag’ raising yacht sails

Chaguaramas stands on the verge of taking a quantum leap in the  yachting industry. Stakeholders believe that if greater effort is put into developing the sector, arrivals would immediately jump by some 20 percent, returning the industry to the levels experienced during the decade of the 90s, when yachting figured in the country’s Gross Domestic Product. Information on the yachting industry shows that it has the capability to generate up to (TT)$150 million annually, while providing at least 1,200 jobs. In a recently unveiled Strategic Plan, the stakeholders have outlined a number of initiatives, which, if taken, could see the industry really take full sail forward. But they believe that government has a crucial role to play if this is to happen.

It is felt for instance, that there is need for improvement in efficiency of operations by state agencies like Customs and Immigration and even the police service. There is also a dire need to improve the enforcement of regulations as well beef up infrastructural works on roads, electricity, water and fuelling facilities. These are some of the recommendations in the strategic plan drawn up by the stakeholders and presented to government last month. According to that plan the improvements should be implemented in three phases. Phase One will entail training of the existing and potential workforce to increase the quality of workmanship and reverse the perception of low standards of labour.

Stakeholders believe if these recommendations are implemented, it could result in an immediate upsurge in arrivals, as the consistency in application of regulations, quality of workmanship and service provided, improves. The second phase, to be driven mainly by the private sector, would build on the foundation developed in phase one and hopefully launch the industry into an expansion mode : charter operations, aggressive marketing of TT as a premier yachting destination and increasing our competitiveness as it relates to other Caribbean islands. The result  will ultimately mean an increase in revenues not only for the yachting community but for other downstream industries aswell.

Some of the action points listed in the strategic plan include setting up the country’s competitive advantage with respect to being a major repair centre in the Caribbean, as well as expanding the market to include yachtsmen who visit countries for the tourist attractions and natural beauty of the surroundings. Chaguaramas provides these qualities. The plan also takes note of the waterfront redevelopment projects in both Port-of-Spain and San Fernando, which are seen as being able to provide opportunities for further expansion of the market beyond the borders of Chaguaramas. It pointed out that reclamation works in San Fernando would result in the relocation of the San Fernando Yacht Club to some ten miles out to sea.

Stakeholders say once the government assumes responsibility for continuous dredging, the private sector would embrace further development of infrastructure and facilities to expand the sector. Should the recommendations be accepted and implemented, stakeholders say it would see the setting up of proper zoning of activities in coastal areas to minimise or eliminate user conflicts and competition for space between yachting and industrial activity in Chaguaramas. Phase three talks about setting the groundwork to facilitate long-term sustainability, including increased infrastructural development in Tobago and  repositioning the country as a tourist or cruising destination.

It would also mean a significant increase in the number of businesses catering to the yachting industry, and the establishment of yachting-specific commercial enterprises in Tobago. In a response to the concerns of the industry, Trade Minister Ken Valley gave the assurance it would receive the attention it deserved. “The yachting industry, which operates as a cluster, has strong backward and forward linkages with several other industries, including tourism, entertainment and the merchant marine industry, offering further opportunities for employment and revenue generation in these areas,” he said.