Allen Castnanet is no role model for the ultimate Caribbean Tourism Minister. He is simply a clown and has always been such. Visiting the hotels after the storm makes great publicity especially for a non elected Minister seeking election. Allen’s father is cut from another cloth. He is the mover and shaker in St. Lucia and is a man of action who seeks no publicity like his son.

Adrian Loveridge has been the person behind the blatant negativity about the Barbados Tourism product in general and Minister Lynch in particular. But tell me, which island (Barbados or St. Lucia) is more developed and vibrant? The Barbados Tourism Authority might not please everyone, but they are working in markets that are extremely competitive and as such have been relatively successful. The level of success could be debatable and I am not here to speak for Lynch but as one involved in Caribbean tourism for over 30 ears, I can see through the PR releases and the bull feathers.

Source: Andrew Nehaul Comment On BU Blog

Andrew Nehaul

On August 21, 2007 in response to a BU article, Allen Chastenet A Shining Example For The “Others” Andrew Nehaul who is a Tourist Operator and Consultant operating out of Europe posted a comment which caused many readers to BU to sit-up and take note. It prompted the question why would a Tourist Operator operating in Europe whose goal is to move tourists out of Europe to the Caribbean would refer to St. Lucia Minister Of Tourism, Allen Chastenet as a clown. Despite the attempts by some commenters to explain the Nehaul’s comments, BU remained perturb that a key tourism player who serves the Barbados and Caribbean market would call another key player in the market, Allen Chastenet, a clown. Mr. Nehaul deserves to be given the chance to explain his comment. He did took a swipe at Adrian Loveridge; Adrian can defend himself so…

Some may question why should BU pursue this matter. There is no mystery here. The tourism product is the life blood of the economies of the English speaking islands, and the time to get serious in its management is critical now more than before, if we are to reposition the product in a fiercely competitive global market. It is regrettable that Mr. Nehaul who at this critical time in our juncture should be working positively alongside the Caribbean markets which he serves, including Chastenet’s St. Lucia market, would elect to take such a combative position.

This is what Nehaul had to say when asked by BU to clarify the clown comment:

It is not my intention to get into a slugging match with anyone. I am only expressing an opinion as I know Mr. Chastanet well. Perhaps the word “clown” might be harsh but I stand by it. Yes, I own a tour operator which specialises on selling the Caribbean from Scandinavia. As such, I am aware of what goes on in the 17 islands that we sell today. I like others have followed this blog and although I do not contribute, I note that your site like others fill a void needy of news and such. My hope however is that there can be a more positive tourism input as Barbados is one of the tourism leaders in the Caribbean, despite the sometimes strange decisions made by those in authority.

The evidence continue to support the position by hotel owner Adrian Loveridge, and other hotel owners that Allen Chastenet is an example which others in decision making in the Caribbean tourism sector should emulate. His most recent achievement has seen one of the Chastenet Hotel, Coco Palm achieving a world rating (thanks to the BU Source).

Expedia.com’s exclusive Insiders’ Select list has positioned St Lucia’s Coco Palm as one of the best hotels in the world. The four-star Coco Resorts property was positioned at 38th in the world and 4th in the Caribbean, among the online travel company’s top hotels and resorts worldwide. Coco Kreole, its three-star sister property, ranked 314th worldwide and 28th in the Caribbean. In St Lucia, Coco Palm ranked number one and Coco Kreole ranked number two respectively.

Source: Caribbean360.com

 

Mr. Nehaul have tried to be fair here to give you the opportunity to clarify or retract your position. As you know, the tourist product in the Caribbean needs all hands on deck, including you!