BARBADOS: Call to examine tourism structure - Goodin

Goodin: Call to examine tourism structure
Web Posted - Fri Oct 03 2003

THERE is need for urgent attention to be given to the preparation for the 
structuring of local tourism businesses as part of a globalised economic 
structure. 

According to Wendell Goodin, director of the Organisation of American States 
(OAS), an examination of the tourism structure would reveal a need for such 
urgency. 

Goodin made this suggestion yesterday at the opening of a two-day tourism 
workshop at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation headquarters, Collymore Rock, 
St. Michael, “ I want to suggest that there is a need to prepare negotiators, 
planners and business-persons for the new liberalised economy, not by 
assessing only potential threats, but by identifying opportunities and 
establishing strategies to exploit them,” he explained. 

The OAS official added:”There is a need to focus discussions and negotiations 
taking into consideration the framework within which the Caribbean will want 
to operate for the purpose of exploiting its strengths.” 

According to Goodin, “a new liberalised trade environment will no doubt see 
the possible entry of car hire companies, large hotel and restaurant chains 
and franchises being introduced into the Caribbean with consequent 
implications, especially for small hotels and local restaurants.” 

He pointed out that just as important for the planners, product development 
specialists and marketers would be the implications of the Caribbean product, 
especially cuisine. “Will globalisation and our attempts to adjust to the new 
liberalised environment mean that, as a region, we will lose those special 
cultural features which differentiate the region from the rest of the 
competition? he queried. 

In the final analysis, the OAS official noted that “a balanced perspective is 
required in planning for the future.” 


SOURCE: Barbados Advocate