Improve transport for 2007 World Cup

THE EDITOR: Finally on the English Caribbean Cricket Tour of 2004, home fans had reason to celebrate for their team (Lara’s 400 aside). The weekend in St Lucia was a treat for West Indian fans, just like the good old days. It was the ‘King’s birthday,’ the official arrival of the first true all rounder since Bernard Julien, young Dwayne ‘Johnny’ Bravo. Sarwan, Chanderpaul and Smith’s awesome batting exhibition, two convincing victories. Everything was too good to be true, got to the airport to head back to Trinidad Sunday night in a very festive mood to face a last minute Liat cancellation.

It was definitely a damper but not enough to ruin an almost perfect weekend. What it did bring to light is how far off we are in terms of overall preparation for 2007. St Lucia hosted a magnificent weekend of cricket in their superlative Beausejour Cricket Stadium, but some fundamental problems still exist in the region if we hope to successfully host the 2007 Cricket World Cup. The cancelled flight was one thing, however Liat failed to promptly and adequately inform passengers as to exactly what was going on. Then once the cancellation came to light, follow up action was slow and frustrating.

Thanks to the actions of Liz Montano of Xtatic, who was also left stranded, were a small group of us eventually able to secure accommodations for the night. This happening at 11.30 pm. The George Charles Airport which is used in favour of the Hewanorra International Airport (40 miles south of Castries) because of its proximity to the cricket ground, is grossly inadequate. This like most airports in the smaller territories in the Caribbean hoping to host World Cup games require major overhauls. With one flight backed up, the airport was a mess, long lines for security checks and inadequate seating in the departure lounge. Far less for a World Cup game when a few thousand fans may be in town. The inadequacy on the road network leading to the Beausejour ground was somewhat quelled by the setting up of a shuttle service to get fans to and from the stadium. Getting there was smooth and cost $1EC. Getting back was a free for all and cost anywhere from $5-$10 EC, this needs to be looked at.

I am confident we will be able to do a good job hosting the 2007 World Cup, however some fundamental changes need to happen to adequately and efficiently move fans (tourists) about the region. These changes need to come from all the stakeholders in the tourist industry, government officials, airlines, airport authorities, ground transport, hoteliers and to a lesser extent cricket boards. Once these changes are permanently effected it will auger well for the future of the tourist industry in the region, this is probably the most important consequence of hosting the 2007 Cricket World Cup. Finally I would like to thank the Xtatic family for making a frustrating experience memorable and almost enjoyable.

DR NIGEL CAMACHO
Maraval