Delroy
08-02-05, - 04:36 AM
Tourism is “Not” Everybody's Business
By Delroy Meadows
As we look and see the signs around that this world is heading into pure chaos it amazes me that in the Bahamas it's still business as usual. The local newspapers are still reporting the same old things, following the government around on their campaign to inhabit the islands with as much foreign investors as possible. This can't be a problem can it? We do need the jobs and “tourism is everybody's business” (like the good book says). Is it wise for us as a people that we would invest so much into an industry that has proven to be unstable?
In recent weeks we have been awaken again to the grim reminder that peace is but a short lived luxury in this world today. Terror and fear is spreading fast through Great Britain. If these attacks had occurred in the United States I strongly believe that the occupancy level in our hotels would have dropped to below 10 percent in a matter of days, layoffs and unemployment would sky rocket just like they did after the attacks of September 11th. How easily do we forget? Yet we have returned to the same unfaithful industry and have embraced her as our sole companion. Are we that forgiving?
The world is changing rapidly and it is clear that the environment that is being created will not be suitable for travel. People are becoming more hesitant to leave the comforts of their homes and risk becoming a victim of terrorism. Those who are not hesitant are being discouraged by the ever increasing red tape involved (such as the soon to be implemented, January 1st, 2006 U.S. passport requirement for travel to the Bahamas). It was amazing to read that we are now seeking the assistance of the United States Ambassador to extend the January 1st deadline for the Bahamas. These new measures now being put into place by the United States should have come as no surprise to us. Provisions should have been made from early 2002 immediately after the implementation of the Patriot Act by the United States in late 2001. Even now we can look forward to more stiffer measures in regards to travel to and from the United States after the recent bombings in the UK. I believe that it would be wise for us to begin planning now for the unseen things to come in the near future.
I don't believe that tourism is everybody's business! I believe that we should begin a new campaign with the goal of developing more secure industries for our nation. Seminars should be conducted where ideas can be submitted and discussed in an effort of finding a solution to this very serious problem that we are now facing.
Yes! We ourselves can consult one another.
It's time that we stop looking outside for someone else to import their idea of what will benefit our home. If we would close our doors and shut the windows for a moment maybe our eyes would rest a bit from the intense glare of promised manifestations by foreigners. Maybe then we would see that we have more kids living in our home than previously thought and if we listen we would hear that not all of them want to be maids, bus boys or pool attendants.
Subconscious Idolatry
We need to move our minds away from being comfortable in dependency. We need to stop using phrases like these: “we are blessed because of our proximity to the United States” It's not good for our kids and I don't think God likes it either.
I smiled the other day while reading about all the calls being sent out to boycott Aruba because apparently officials there are taking too long in releasing information about missing american teenager; Natalee Holloway. It seemed funny to me for a nation where it is said that crime against tourists are almost non-existent you would expect some form of mercy from the american public (but that's not the point). The important question here is how is it possible that one missing 18 year old can threaten the economy and welfare of almost 100,000 people?
Like the Bahamas, Aruba's main industry focus is on tourism. Like the Bahamas the majority of tourists that visit Aruba come from the United States. They also set their own personal record of over half-a-million US visits last year. What has this done for Aruba? Sure, their unemployment rate is 7% but with such a dependency level on tourism this is also an obvious problem (no wonder they are being threatened in this area). We should take heed to warnings such as the case we are now witnessing in Aruba and not as an example, but as a reminder of past threats made against this industry right here at home.
The Word of God advises us to build our homes on solid grounds and not sand. The more we gain from tourism it seems the further we sink. The more people we employ in this industry the more people we will have at risk of unemployment. It's like stacking blocks on sticks.
Our Focus
Let us now turn our focus away a bit from the problem and concentrate on the solution. Presently our main goal should be preparation. I always tell people that planning is a risk free way of doing something. I cannot emphasize it enough because the further we plan ahead the better off we will be in the future. Here are two important things I believe should be our main focus for the future:
Security
One of the biggest problems I believe we will encounter in the near future is security issues. Already we see the United States Coast Guard plans to move their helicopters out of the Bahamas. There has been indications coming from the U.S. for long time now about cutting down its overseas presence. Again because of our high level of dependency on the United States we have been placed in a vulnerable position. The area of security should indeed be at the top of our list of things to do. Upgrading our Defense Force to include an air presence should be a priority.
Education
We need to get strict on education and fast. Needed reform in our education system is not a hidden matter but the urgency of it is. Careful focus should be taken in regards to education for the future as it relates to impending global changes such as FTAA. We should create a new motto that will correspond with the times that we are now living in.
I believe that mottoes are strong as they express a principle, goal, or ideal. We must be careful of the principles we adopt as they will be the ones that guide us as a nation. To teach a child that it is their business to invest in the further development of a shaky industry is counterproductive and only produces a nation of gamblers.
In Conclusion
As the world changes we should continue to adjust with it. We should constantly examine the road ahead of us to reduce our risks of falling into potholes. We should avoid becoming relaxed in moments of peace because they are almost always followed by sudden destruction. We should also remember that investing in the minds of our young people will bring more return than any industry. Let us not forget that it's minds that create industries and the minds of our people are our number one industry, not tourism.
By Delroy Meadows
As we look and see the signs around that this world is heading into pure chaos it amazes me that in the Bahamas it's still business as usual. The local newspapers are still reporting the same old things, following the government around on their campaign to inhabit the islands with as much foreign investors as possible. This can't be a problem can it? We do need the jobs and “tourism is everybody's business” (like the good book says). Is it wise for us as a people that we would invest so much into an industry that has proven to be unstable?
In recent weeks we have been awaken again to the grim reminder that peace is but a short lived luxury in this world today. Terror and fear is spreading fast through Great Britain. If these attacks had occurred in the United States I strongly believe that the occupancy level in our hotels would have dropped to below 10 percent in a matter of days, layoffs and unemployment would sky rocket just like they did after the attacks of September 11th. How easily do we forget? Yet we have returned to the same unfaithful industry and have embraced her as our sole companion. Are we that forgiving?
The world is changing rapidly and it is clear that the environment that is being created will not be suitable for travel. People are becoming more hesitant to leave the comforts of their homes and risk becoming a victim of terrorism. Those who are not hesitant are being discouraged by the ever increasing red tape involved (such as the soon to be implemented, January 1st, 2006 U.S. passport requirement for travel to the Bahamas). It was amazing to read that we are now seeking the assistance of the United States Ambassador to extend the January 1st deadline for the Bahamas. These new measures now being put into place by the United States should have come as no surprise to us. Provisions should have been made from early 2002 immediately after the implementation of the Patriot Act by the United States in late 2001. Even now we can look forward to more stiffer measures in regards to travel to and from the United States after the recent bombings in the UK. I believe that it would be wise for us to begin planning now for the unseen things to come in the near future.
I don't believe that tourism is everybody's business! I believe that we should begin a new campaign with the goal of developing more secure industries for our nation. Seminars should be conducted where ideas can be submitted and discussed in an effort of finding a solution to this very serious problem that we are now facing.
Yes! We ourselves can consult one another.
It's time that we stop looking outside for someone else to import their idea of what will benefit our home. If we would close our doors and shut the windows for a moment maybe our eyes would rest a bit from the intense glare of promised manifestations by foreigners. Maybe then we would see that we have more kids living in our home than previously thought and if we listen we would hear that not all of them want to be maids, bus boys or pool attendants.
Subconscious Idolatry
We need to move our minds away from being comfortable in dependency. We need to stop using phrases like these: “we are blessed because of our proximity to the United States” It's not good for our kids and I don't think God likes it either.
I smiled the other day while reading about all the calls being sent out to boycott Aruba because apparently officials there are taking too long in releasing information about missing american teenager; Natalee Holloway. It seemed funny to me for a nation where it is said that crime against tourists are almost non-existent you would expect some form of mercy from the american public (but that's not the point). The important question here is how is it possible that one missing 18 year old can threaten the economy and welfare of almost 100,000 people?
Like the Bahamas, Aruba's main industry focus is on tourism. Like the Bahamas the majority of tourists that visit Aruba come from the United States. They also set their own personal record of over half-a-million US visits last year. What has this done for Aruba? Sure, their unemployment rate is 7% but with such a dependency level on tourism this is also an obvious problem (no wonder they are being threatened in this area). We should take heed to warnings such as the case we are now witnessing in Aruba and not as an example, but as a reminder of past threats made against this industry right here at home.
The Word of God advises us to build our homes on solid grounds and not sand. The more we gain from tourism it seems the further we sink. The more people we employ in this industry the more people we will have at risk of unemployment. It's like stacking blocks on sticks.
Our Focus
Let us now turn our focus away a bit from the problem and concentrate on the solution. Presently our main goal should be preparation. I always tell people that planning is a risk free way of doing something. I cannot emphasize it enough because the further we plan ahead the better off we will be in the future. Here are two important things I believe should be our main focus for the future:
Security
One of the biggest problems I believe we will encounter in the near future is security issues. Already we see the United States Coast Guard plans to move their helicopters out of the Bahamas. There has been indications coming from the U.S. for long time now about cutting down its overseas presence. Again because of our high level of dependency on the United States we have been placed in a vulnerable position. The area of security should indeed be at the top of our list of things to do. Upgrading our Defense Force to include an air presence should be a priority.
Education
We need to get strict on education and fast. Needed reform in our education system is not a hidden matter but the urgency of it is. Careful focus should be taken in regards to education for the future as it relates to impending global changes such as FTAA. We should create a new motto that will correspond with the times that we are now living in.
I believe that mottoes are strong as they express a principle, goal, or ideal. We must be careful of the principles we adopt as they will be the ones that guide us as a nation. To teach a child that it is their business to invest in the further development of a shaky industry is counterproductive and only produces a nation of gamblers.
In Conclusion
As the world changes we should continue to adjust with it. We should constantly examine the road ahead of us to reduce our risks of falling into potholes. We should avoid becoming relaxed in moments of peace because they are almost always followed by sudden destruction. We should also remember that investing in the minds of our young people will bring more return than any industry. Let us not forget that it's minds that create industries and the minds of our people are our number one industry, not tourism.