Page 16 - ARUBA TODAY

A16 LOCAL
Wednesday 4 March 2020
A smart Caribbean island can be the high-end champion

By Cdr. Bud Slabbaert as Bohemian Crystal glass. velopers must not hurt the
ORANJESTAD — In the Ca- Persons who are not afraid common islander. There
ribbean, too little attention to express themselves in are a few islands where the
is given to the visitor seg- straightforward wording development of this seg-
ment of high-end clien- which may be so hot that it ment could be successful.
tele that use private jets to singes the eyebrows of the However, it is necessary to
come to a destination. Bet- listeners. prepare a strategy first. This
ter not consider them tour- is not a matter of opening
ists or treat them as tour- Why would you want this a can of magic to have
ists. Every passenger who clientele anyway and what a fast food dinner on the
arrives on a private jet is a is the sense of this so-called table. This clientele does
potential investor in the re- wealth tourism or high-end not visit vacation expos.
gion…, provided that the tourism? Finally, we are Advertising doesn’t do the
destination will meet their getting to the point! This is trick. Articles by reputable
standards and criteria, and the clientele that spends journalists in selected glossy
that they eventually fall in approximately ten times as lifestyle magazines may
love with the island. much per person than the be one way to attract the
average mass-tourism visi- attention. But before any-
They will make the pre- tor. US$ 800 plus for a hotel thing will be published,
ferred destination part of room night is not uncom- there needs be substance
their lifestyle and invest in mon. US$ 30,000 dollar plus to base the article on.
that element of their way for a week’s villa rent is not
of life. They are repeat unusual. Got it? It is wise for these few is-
visitors and usually attract lands to form a task force
other personalities of their It is not just the positive as mentioned before. But
social circles to be their economic impact that why? Why a joined effort
guest, which has a multiply- characterizes this seg- when these islands will be
ing effect. They appreciate In the Caribbean there is a land government to deal ment. Since this clientele competitors with the same
authenticity, discretion, se- relatively small number of with. Not to forget a qual- does not accept medioc- objectives? There is no such
renity, and locations where destinations that qualify for ity infrastructure. They’re racy, the island is more or a thing as competition. The
beautification and clean- pursuing the development not looking for a highway less compelled to upgrade clientele will determine
ness are taken seriously. of this segment in a full out to speed on, but they defi- its infrastructure, facilities, what it likes and what suits
Mediocrity and fakeness effort. Those are the ones nitely don’t appreciate and services which may it best. Since every island is
are unacceptable. Yet, where serious high-net- potholes in the roads. Yet, contribute to an improved different and often unique,
they love some simplic- worth individuals should be they love a somewhat ru- overall standard and qual- there are choices. First at-
ity and a laid-back atmo- able to explore the poten- ral atmosphere. They love ity of life of the island’s tract this clientele to the re-
sphere in a luxury setting. tial of a return of investment a natural landscape that is community. This clientele gion, then offer the options,
And they’re trying to find that may be different than beautified by orange blos- is also willing to pay higher and the client will decide.
what ailing living in their you think; it is satisfaction soming flamboyant trees wages or charges for ser-
country back home is. and joy rather than interest and pink flowering bou- vices. Just think about the Not trying to do anything
rates on their capital. They gainvillea bushes. saying ‘success breeds suc- about finding new ways for
Tourism authorities who say have enough that already; cess’. A word of caution improving the socio-eco-
“hmm, yes, we also want they are looking for what is Some islands that have though. The improvements nomics of an island may
those ALSO”, are most likely missing, a paradise resem- the potential to attract this must not become a finan- be called complacency, I
not getting them. This seg- bling environment. clientele, should consider cial burden for the ‘na- would categorize it as “The
ment does not fit in with joining efforts and form a tive’ members of the island Continuing Art of Suffering
cruise ship tourism or forms A safe living environment task force or action group community. Greed of de- in Silence” q
of over-tourism. This seg- with an insignificant to zero that focuses on this seg-
ment requires a different crime rate is important to ment and come up with re-
approach and strategy. them. A stable reliable is- freshing and useful advice
and suggestions. No, not a
‘study group’. I hate that
word ‘study’. One doesn’t
need a heap of accumu-
lated theory collected in
a report that defends itself
from being read because
of its thickness. The last
thing needed is a commit-
tee that wastes hours and
keeps minutes. The group
should definitely not be
an assembled choir whose
members can only sing the About the author
shanties of their own ship.
Cdr. Bud Slabbaert is the Chairman and Coordinator
of the Caribbean Aviation Meetup, an annual results
The taskforce should be an and solution oriented conference for stakeholders
independent and impartial of ‘airlift’ in the Caribbean which will be June 16-
group and the members 18 on St.Maarten. Mr. Slabbaert’s background is
should consist of thinkers accentuated by aviation business development,
and movers-and-shakers strategic communication, and journalism.
with brains that are as clear