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ANTIGUA & BARBUDA FAVOURS CRUISE ALLIANCE OF THE SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN
Wednesday 6th November 2013

At a recently concluded strategic meeting of the Cruise Alliance of the Southern Caribbean, that was initiated and hosted by the Government of Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda agreed to strategic involvement in the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This MOU will see alliances by Caribbean destinations in partnership to improve the region's Cruise Tourism product. The Forum had in attendance representatives from Antigua & Barbuda, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St Kitts & Nevis, Trinidad & Tobago and the host destination Barbados. The series of discussions and forums held in Barbados was attended by Antigua & Barbuda Cruise Tourism Association President (ABCTA), Mr. Nathan Dundas.
 
The conference was an initiative lead by the Honourable Richard Sealey, Minister of Tourism of Barbados, and also in attendance was the Tourism Minister from Curacao. The other attendees represented the various Tourism Authorities from the other participating destinations. The invited delegates included the former Head Director of CLIA, Mr. Bob Shirak and Mr. John Moody who prepares the bi-annual FCCA/BREAA report and the Director of Cruise Baltic, Mr. Bo Larsen.

The forum discussion primarily focused on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with regards to establishing foundations of agreement, purpose, scope, terms of application and implementation, a summer incentive package, fueling of cruise ships, marketing and communications etc.
 
The MOU, although accepted by all the destination countries, was not signed pending the final approval of the Tourism Ministers of Governments. The funding mechanism of the MOU has not been agreed upon as yet due to the fact that budgets would have to be set up by a Steering Committee, which would initially include representatives from the participating destinations.

Coming away from this forum, the various tourism representatives agreed that the MOU will be forwarded to the various Tourism Authorities to be reviewed by the Tourism Ministers for approval and signatures. There are no binding obligations for any Government to be a part of the alliance if they do not wish to do so. Similarly, any government can, by written notification, cancel their inclusion in the alliance. Minister of Civil Aviation & Tourism, Hon. John Maginley noted that he will examine the details for further consideration.

ABCTA President, Mr. Dundas noted, "I am of the opinion that it is a good alliance for us to be a part of and can only benefit us in the Cruise Tourism Industry. The MOU will not restrict any destination in the performance of its national requirements and it has no authority in law."

The follow-up includes provision of a MOU and the identification of a Steering Committee. The aim of the initiative is to form a stronger alliance among Caribbean islands, to promote growth in the sector as well as to provide stimulus from the sector into the economy. It also aims to give the participating islands a stronger voice to negotiate with the cruise lines from a regional perspective.

The next meeting of the Steering Committee, after approval by the various destinations, is scheduled to be held in Curacao by the request of the Minister of Tourism of Curacao to be held in December 2013. The Barbados Tourism Authority is coordinating the date and time and will revert with a revised MOU for the destinations prior to the next meeting.


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