Dear Editor,
Again and again you hear that we should be diversifying the St. Maarten economy. Never do you hear that this is a bad idea and we should stick to cruise and stayover tourism.
One of the most realistic diversifications is the yachting industry which already has achieved a significant percentage of contribution to the economy.
This diversification option meets all the criteria that can be realistically expected from any diversification. It supports the core economy, produces high-paying jobs in a wide range of specializations and our geography has some attributes that enhance the chances of success.
All options for diversification come with limitations and require effort to achieve. There simply are no industries that will provide employment for an overpopulated island that has no agricultural land and no extractive industry potential without requiring some investment or legislative and strategic effort to achieve success in a chosen industry. Many planning reports mandated by the St. Maarten government have identified the yachting industry’s potential and suitability, without their recommendations being followed up.
The very minimal requirement for making any form of progress is for there to be knowledgeable persons in government who have a deep understanding of the yachting industry. Whilst the yachting industry has great potential it is complicated because there are so many components to it. As far as government establishing a knowledge center with clearly mandated staff who can be counted on to be able to effectively evaluate this activity, we have made no progress.
For the past 40 years I have met regularly with the executive parties in government on the subject of the marine industry. No matter their intentions it is never possible for such decision-makers (ministers in the current structure) to have a grasp of what makes the marine industry function well or poorly. A new minister of TEATT [Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication – Ed.], for instance, will be able to see the number of boats that arrive and depart but the many details of what drives them to visit, to spend money with us and to leave with a positive experience is what is needed to make policy. The customer satisfaction of yachting visitors depends on different factors to those staying in hotels and resorts.
Diversification of the economy takes focused effort. Simply hoping it will happen without the effort is unlikely to be successful.
Robbie Ferron
