David Comissiong Exposes Nation Newspaper Editorial
Submitted by Anthony Davis SOME THINGS SHOULD best be left alone, but there are others that must never be overlooked. This is particularly true when contemptuous comments are made in public that may stir emotions among people who follow opinion leaders without thinking. Such is the case with the remarks delivered by political activist and…
SOME THINGS SHOULD best be left alone, but there are others that must never be overlooked.
This is particularly true when contemptuous comments are made in public that may stir emotions among people who follow opinion leaders without thinking. Such is the case with the remarks delivered by political activist and pan-Africanist David Comissiong, who spoke on Monday during Emancipation Day activities.
On this occasion he seems to have picked one for which we dare say, even before he starts, that he is unlikely to get much support. We hold no brief for those behind Vision Development Inc., the developers of the resort, but to denounce it as being bad for the country makes absolutely no sense.
This project did not get the all-clear without meeting a range of stringent stipulations, whether environmental or structural. It will provide much-needed jobs, generate foreign exchange and benefit the economy in other ways. Barbadians and Barbados will be better off as a result.
The argument advanced by Mr. Comissiong that the stretch of beautiful beach at Browne’s Beach will be lost to Barbadians once the hotel is built there does not add up. If that argument is applied logically then the same thing should happen in all of Carlisle Bay up to Needham’s Point. But, despite some may want or how they feel, beaches in Barbados are all public. That is our patrimony.
Mr. Comissiong should base his objection on other grounds. He should also appreciate that at a time when the Government is in dire financial straits that private sector investment in any and all sectors must be welcomed. – Comissiong off target on Hyatt in the Midweek Nation dated 03 August, 2016
Methinks that you are the one who is way off target!
We cannot only look at selling out our birth right for tourism for 30 pieces of silver as the panacea for getting this country back on its feet.
No planning permission has been given yet, so how can you make the bold statement that “this project did not get the all-clear without meeting a range of stringent stipulations, whether environmental or structural”?
Did you have a peek at the documents which were to be handed in to Town & Country Planning, or did you just guess that permission would be forthcoming?
What foreign exchange will it generate if the money will be flying out as fast as it comes in, as the owners are foreigners?
The worst part of it will be the condos, as these require minimal maintenance and once again the money will be flying out as fast as it comes in, because the owners will all be foreigners.
Also, Mr./Mrs. Editorial writer, it has been stated by the owners that not one of the managerial jobs will be given to indigenous personnel which, in my opinion, is a sign of bigotry, and they should not be allowed to get away with that!
It would be interesting to know what sweetheart deal was struck with Hyatt!
We have hotels here struggling, whereas Sandals is enjoying the sweetest of sweetheart deals up to now, and all they are getting are promises from the Minister of Tourism, and the tax collector that they will “soon” get the same deal.
How can such an eyesore blend in with the Bethel Methodist church, and the St. Paul’s Anglican and Catholic churches?
How about the building which Mrs. Ram occupies? Will it also blend in with that?
Will the BDF help camouflage it?
UNESCO makes certain stipulations when it accords countries world heritage site accreditation. Bridgetown and its Garrison were made World Heritage sites because of the old buildings from the times of slavery. I do not think that erecting such a monstrosity in the heart of Bridgetown would please them in the least.
Some years ago they rescinded Dresden’s World Heritage Site accreditation because the Government had the bright idea of building a new bridge across the river there, when it was given its accreditation for similar reasons to Barbados – in this case because of the age of the buildings in that city.
No hotels should be built on Browne’s Beach, as we all know what can happen when hotels set up on the relative beaches. The beaches are ours – not the DLP’s, BLP’s nor any other government’s. Browne’s Beach is also used by many repeat visitors, so you would be depriving one set of tourists of a beach, so that the rich, the famous, and the bigoted can have their own little space in paradise.
Shall we wait until Barbados becomes like Majorca with so many ugly skyscrapers dotting its coast that one cannot see the sea for long stretches, and where many have stopped going, because people cannot find a beach where they are not laid out like sardines in a tin?
Anthony Davis Your Post on BU Is So Much Crap, IT DOES NOT DESERVE A COMMENT!
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chad99999
This post is an example of static analysis.
ITEM
The proposed hotel plans to hire foreigners to manage the property. Therefore, the benefit to Barbados is not great and the project is a bad deal.
ITEM
The proposed hotel is to be financed by foreign businessmen. Therefore, its foreign exchange revenues will never benefit Barbados. The money will “fly away”.
This logic is BS. Assume the writer’s claims are true. Does it not occur to his feeble mind that if the hotel is built, its Barbadian staff will be able to observe directly how foreign managers do their jobs. They will acquire new skills and new professional networks by seeing world class hotel managers in action, by carrying out the instructions these managers give them, and by meeting the friends and associates of these foreigners. Over time, these humble Barbadians will either be promoted into managerial positions or be qualified for managerial slots in other hotels.
In the same way, local businesses should see the proposed hotel as an opportunity to earn income by selling to a new customer. Farmers can supply the hotel with produce. Local utilities will be asked to provide electricity and sewerage services. The government can impose taxes. So even if some of the foreign exchange “never arrives” , and some of it is remitted to foreign owners, half a loaf is better than no bread.
As for the stupidity of comparing Barbados to Majorca, a reality check: We are a poor country in the Third World. We will never be in danger of being buried by skyscrapers.
For years Barbados has issued work permits to expats and have we seen any appreciable transfer of skills to locals?
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chad99999
David,
The problem is that nobody measures the transfer of skills so I cannot point you to a document that proves the argument. But skills are being transferred and lives are being improved, though many of the benefits are lost to Barbados when individuals take their acquired skills to North America.
The measurement available is that we have continually renewed work permits for the same job over the years.
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bajans
In Cuba after two years all management positions at foreign owned hotels, except for the Hotel Manager must be held by locals. All hotels have to have a classroom where staff are trained in management skills and foreign languages as well. Whenever I visit, I always talk to the locals. I get to know my maid, waiter, pool man and the staff manning the roast pig at lunch.
At the last hotel I stayed at, owned by Spains Sol chain, all the Chefs were Cuban, accountants, guest services, everything except the top manager were locals.
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Bajan Yankee.
We are slaves to the rich and famous but are so ignorant it eludes us.
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Obtuse
Are we a country of jackasses that we need a project of this nature to teach us how to handle our affairs. Just admit that you are I. Supper of the project regardless of costs, ecological, socially or otherwise. But don’t talk shite!
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Vincent Haynes
An excellent piece Mr Davis….on point as usual.
You have highlighted the lack of a developmental plan for this 166 sq.mi. island by its leaders and begs several questions of which I will posit one.
…..how long will we continue to depend on this type of tourism model that benefits a few?
…..Why do we lack trust/belief in our fellow bajans?
…..When will we adopt the in house tourism product which is touted by the likes of AirBNB,that will benefit the majority bajans?
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chad99999
AirBnB is only suited to one tourist segment. Many tourists wouldn’t be caught dead using AirBnB.
Just because its new and happening doesn’t mean its for everybody. Get real.
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Donna
David,
Freedom Crier has now called Anthony Davis’ contribution crap undeserving of a comment. This is the sort of comment you admonished me for saying to Freedom Crier. And the sort of comment Freedom Crier said was an indication of my poor character.
In Cuba after two years all management positions at foreign owned hotels, except for the Hotel Manager must be held by locals. All hotels have to have a classroom where staff are trained in management skills and foreign languages as well. Whenever I visit, I always talk to the locals. I get to know my maid, waiter, pool man and the staff manning the roast pig at lunch.
At the last hotel I stayed at, owned by Spains Sol chain, all the Chefs were Cuban, accountants, guest services, everything except the top manager were locals.”
Can Cubans not working in the hotels enjoy the services of the hotels yet?
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Donna
Chad,
Are you suggesting that if a man wrongs a woman he should not apologise? I seriously wonder what kind of mother you had? Was she that bad? Is she dead that you take your frustrations out on us instead of addressing them to the source? Even if she is dead I understand that writing a letter to her expressing your anger would still help. You need to deal with your issues. It’s what a big boy would do. Otherwise you will just continue to sound like a brat who has read a lot of books and has a good memory.
As I understand it,outside of Africa,most of African descent are to be found in Brazil.In spite of the African’s contribution to the development of the Americas,this ethnic group is persecuted,despised,brutalized and insulted in the most subtle ways imaginable,even where it is the majority people.For the worst treatment,the USA stands out for its naked racism especially by white police ranks who are encouraged by a quota system of arrests and target minorities.The Brazil experience is widespread in the Americas.
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