PARLE and LELALULUJanet Silvera, Freelance Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
SENIOR REGIONAL tourism officials are advising Caribbean governments to bond together to protect their countries' interest from "unreasonable demands" being made by the cruise ship industry.
"If Caribbean governments don't stick together, they will sink separately," warned Lelei LeLalulu, head of the Washington D.C.-based Counterpart Intern-ational, the organisation that champions the importance of sustainable tourism for development.
Mr. LeLalulu has sided with both Berthia Parle, president-elect of the Caribbean Hotel Association, and St. Lucia's Minister of Tourism, Philip J. Pierre, on the critical need for a common policy to ensure that the region obtains substantial benefits from the cruise ship sector.
He was reacting to a report last week from Puerto Rico quoting Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) president Michelle Paige and her members as being upset by the Puerto Rico Ports Authority's plan to increase fees for cruise passengers from US$10.50 to US$15.00 per head, a 43 per cent hike, as of 2004.
The FCCA represents 13 cruise lines operating some 100 vessels in Florida, the Caribbean and Mexican waters and in the past have been known to collaborate its efforts effectively when faced with increases.
A few years ago, Grenada levied an environmental tax of US$1 on cruise ship passengers and Carnival Cruise Lines pulled out of its port.
According to Mr. Lelalulu, already there are reports that some Caribbean destinations were reneging on a joint ministerial decision made in New York in June this year to levy a US$20 per head tax on the cruise sector.
He said the sustainability of the region's tourism sector demanded tough decisions and to yield to pressure would be to, "forsake the future prosperity of Caribbean people."
Jamaica's vice president of cruise shipping, William Tatham, suggested that a regional approach should be taken to the negotiations over proposed taxes.
REGIONAL NEGOTIATIONS
Wykeham McNeill, state minister in the Ministry of Tourism agreed that there needed to be negotiations on a regional basis.
"There are some things on the table from CARICOM. We are looking at what route to take. It's only through consensus that this is going to happen," he stated.
In the meantime, persons championing the cause for sustainable tourism development say there is no hardship for the cruise industry, which has made made huge profits from the region, while Caribbean airlines and a number of land-based tourism entities struggle.
A recent study by Professor Ross Klein, of Canada's Memorial University of Newfoundland revealed that the top three cruise lines chalked up combined total revenue of US$11.5 billion last year, reporting combined net income of US$1.66 billion.
"It was reported last year that Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation CEO, earned $40.5 million in salary, stock and benefits," Professor Klein, told The Sunday Gleaner. "And I have seen reports that Kirk Lanterman, CEO of Holland America Line earns US$3.5 million a year, and that Bob Dickinson, Carnival Cruise Line earns more than US$1 million just in salary, bonuses and stocks, not included."
Mr. LeLalulu's Counterpart International will join efforts with the CHA and other industry stakeholders to examine the 'corporate responsibility of the cruise sector' when the fifth Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx) is held in Barbados, December 4-8, 2003.
"The cruise lines can make a huge contribution to regional tourism marketing, environmental sustainability and employment," said Mr. LeLaulu.
St. Lucia's Phillip Pierre said there was a place in the industry for both cruise and land-based tourism, but added that the contribution from the cruise sector was far from adequate compared to the revenues they earn by operating in the region.
FCCA President Michelle Paige could not be reached for comment as she was reportedly out
travelling.
