{"id":192672,"date":"2023-12-21T14:05:37","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T18:05:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=192672"},"modified":"2023-12-21T14:05:37","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T18:05:37","slug":"all-visitors-must-be-greeted-with-a-smile-measures-coming-to-address-behaviour-of-immigration-officers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/all-visitors-must-be-greeted-with-a-smile-measures-coming-to-address-behaviour-of-immigration-officers\/","title":{"rendered":"All visitors must be greeted with a smile; Measures coming to address behaviour of Immigration Officers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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During the budget debate on Tuesday, Immigration Minister Steadroy Cutie Benjamin outlined plans to enhance the welcome experience for visitors arriving in Antigua.<\/p>

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He expressed a commitment to working collaboratively with other ministers.<\/p>\n

“I want to hold the hand of my member for St. John North when you speak about kiosks. We, the immigration, work with you to make certain that when you arrive in Antigua, transiting immigration and customs will be something that is seamless. We are working towards that, my dear friend, so very shortly,” Minister Benjamin assured.<\/p>

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The minister stressed the government’s dedication to improving the ease of doing business and making the overall experience more pleasant for individuals arriving and departing.<\/p>

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He shared that the Prime Minister from St. John City West emphasized the duty to make life better and easier for everyone.<\/p>\n

“Listen, our duty is to make life better, to make it easier for all persons coming and leaving to feel welcomed,” Minister Benjamin emphasized during the session.<\/p>

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He acknowledged the importance of addressing the conduct of some immigration officers, highlighting that visitors should feel welcomed and not encounter situations that make them feel unwelcome.<\/p>\n

The minister expressed concern for individuals who are hesitant to go through immigration processes and promised a change.<\/p>

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“There are some people, you know, who are horrified to go to immigration. All that is going to stop because you’re going to be evaluated to make certain that you treat all visitors to this country with the kind of smile that comes from all of us here \u2013 the type of love that we all demonstrate. This must be reflected also by our immigration officers,” he declared.<\/p>

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Minister Benjamin assured that steps would be taken to evaluate and improve the conduct of immigration officers, ensuring that visitors receive the warmth and hospitality that Antigua is known for.<\/p>\n