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LOCALTuesday 27 March 2018
Wealth Tourism Development in the Caribbean
By Cdr. Bud Slabbaert cial airliner needs far more al trip planning for business tending the event. There funding to build it, unlike
staff and attention, from jet operators. Again, want- were more than 1,000 pri- most of the Caribbean is-
ORANJESTAD - “We want ticket counter to the stairs ing to know what hurdles vate jet flights over the five lands. They don’t even
more private and business for embarking and all the they face, and finding out days. want an airport; they have
aircraft coming to our air- additional tra-ra around what they knew about our Davos doesn’t have an a good heliport. Where do
port.” – “You’re right,” I re- the handling of aircraft and airport. We learned from airport. The closest airport the rich-and-famous’ jets
sponded. “We’re looking passengers. each other. They received is Samedan, at an eleva- land? Nice, a major inter-
for a mover-and-shaker a better insight of our desti- tion of 1,707 mtr/ 5,600 ft national airport that is rela-
to do it” – “Good thing,” I How did I change 60% nation ‘from their perspec- Europe’s highest airport but tively nearby. Nice is not
replied. “We were think- scheduled commercial tive’. has no scheduled flights. keen on it, since it has too
ing of you!” – “Who me?”. flights against 40% business Why mentioning ‘from their It’s one of the world’s most many scheduled commer-
That was the essence of aviation, into 60% bizavver- perspective’ in both cases? challenging airports due cial flights. Cannes is not
being invited to an airport sus 40% scheduled, without Because their clients make to its difficult mountain to- far away and specializes in
board meeting. While driv- losing business of the lat- the decision where to go, pography, the winds, and private and business avia-
ing home, it went through ter segment? Sales pitches but the service providers the thinness of the air at this tion. Ground transportation
my mind: how on earth and PR don’t do the trick. ‘from their perspective’ altitude. For the event, the to Monaco on congest-
am I going to do this? As Forget 101 college market- will discretely advise them airspace over Swiss’ Davos ed roads takes too long
their PR associate, I had a ing. I decided to visit the what may be best on how and the adjacent Austrian though. Helicopter service
good sense of the airport’s operation center of the to get there. What’s my territory is virtually closed to Monaco make sense.
strengths and weaknesses. business aviation operator point? Solving problems is by the air forces. Excep- Another hint for the Carib-
I had often suggested that that had the largest fleet essential! Not ‘hot air’ pro- tions are made for helicop- bean. You may not have
General Aviation deserved of aircraft (140) headquar- motion, nor sales pitches. ter flights directly to Davos roads and time-taking
more attention, because tered in Portugal. In detail, In aviation development; to bring in the ‘crème-de- ground transportation, in-
it’s more lucrative. Two they explained their opera- there is no such a thing as la-crème’. stead you have water be-
ground staff members can tions and when airport is- opening a can of airplanes. Where do their jets fly to? tween the territories and
handle a private jet from sues popped up. If I could I should point out that the Option #1: Zurich Interna- a ferry ride is time-taking.
passenger and luggage take care of that, would airport for which I handled tional Airport and used by Helicopter service may be
handling to refueling. The they come more often? the aviation development the highest ranking politi- an alternative to accom-
landing and handling fees Yes! So, I worked on it. The was located in Switzer- cal officials who need ex- modate this clientele. Plus,
are excellent. A commer- airport went successfully land. Who followed the in- tra protection and official the costs of a helipad are
through three evaluations ternational news this past Swiss government recep- a fraction of developing
and it became their pre- months, may be aware of tion. It takes a 1 ½-hour-plus or extending a runway.
ferred airport in the region the World Economic Forum limousine ride to Davos. Some islands don’t even
‘from their perspective’. in Davos, Switzerland. Thou- Option #2: ‘My’ regional have a helicopter on loca-
I visited some of the major sands of the world’s richest airport. Only 1 ¼-hour-or- tion. The configuration of a
companies in Houston, Tex- and most powerful people less drive because of a passenger helicopter can
as that handle internation- from 70 countries were at- non-saturated route. A be changed in 10 minutes,
‘low-key’ airport and less have a hoist attached, and
extra policing or security be ready for rescue opera-
needed. No air traffic slots. tions.
The ‘140-aircraft company’ Why would you like to have
decided that we’d be their this clientele and what is
preferred airport. I told the the sense of this wealth
airport director that he had tourism? They are spend-
to move out and make his ing ten times as much per
office available. The com- person than the average
pany used it for its aircraft mass-tourism visitor. US$
dispatcher to handle their 900 plus for a hotel night
flights for three nearby air- is not uncommon, neither
ports including Zurich Inter- is a US$ 20,000 plus week’s
national, and in addition, villa rent. It is not just the
two of their own customer positive economic impact.
service agents, a ground Since this clientele does
transportation coordinator, not accept mediocrity, the
and a chief-pilot to handle island is forced to upgrade
crew arrangements. its infrastructure and facili-
What’s the point for the Ca- ties which may improve the
ribbean? You don’t need a overall standard of living of
major airport to attract and its community.
bring in a certain clientele. This clientele is also willing
You need a smooth func- to pay higher wages or
tioning airport that is well charges for services. If they
equipped, and mediocrity like the destination they’re
is not an option. A 5,000 ft loyal and return; often
/ 1,500 mtr runway is often more than once a year.
enough. Every passenger arriving on
Monaco, one of the world’s a private jet is a potential
wealthiest nations, doesn’t investor in the region. Think
have an airport. No space about it.
for it; just like some of the Success breeds success
Caribbean islands. or… it may at least rub
They do have plenty of off.q
