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Former ABHTA Chair Backs Government’s Investment in Tourism Sector
Former chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA), Vernon Jeffers Sr, has voiced strong support for the government’s recent decision to invest in the tourism sector through the Social Security Board.
Speaking on The Big Issues over the weekend, Jeffers—who also previously served as general manager of Jolly Beach Resort—described the move as a sensible and necessary step given tourism’s central role in the national economy.
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Former ABHTA Chair Backs Government’s Investment in Tourism Sector
Former chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA), Vernon Jeffers Sr, has voiced strong support for the government’s recent decision to invest in the tourism sector through the Social Security Board.
Speaking on The Big Issues over the weekend, Jeffers—who also previously served as general manager of Jolly Beach Resort—described the move as a sensible and necessary step given tourism’s central role in the national economy.
“Well, my initial reaction from the moment I heard the Prime Minister make the announcement [was that] I fully support and endorse the idea,” Jeffers said.
“At the end of the day, if tourism is ultimately our main industry, even from a government standpoint… the government and the people, on behalf and through Social Security, should also be willing to put their foot in and to play their role in carrying out such an investment.”
His comments come in the wake of confirmation by Prime Minister Gaston Browne that the Antigua and Barbuda Social Security Board had acquired Jolly Beach Resort, injecting capital to support the reopening of the long-closed facility.
The decision has sparked a national debate about the use of pension funds for commercial ventures, with critics warning of financial risks. However, Jeffers’ endorsement adds weight to the argument that strategic investments in the tourism sector could yield long-term benefits for the country.
Jeffers’ remarks are among the strongest public endorsements to date from a key tourism figure and highlight a growing consensus among some stakeholders about the need for bold measures to revitalise the sector.
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Its amazing that the naysayers think we can divorce SS from tourism. A former tourism minister arguing the tourism industry is too risky hemps to explain why he had problems promoting the industry. A&B is now breaking records in terms of tourism arrivals probably because the persons now in charge, have faith in the product
@Tenman…. Don’t worry, the UPP naysayers and apologists will soon say that Vernon Jeffers is an ABLP operative.
One thing the UPP and its supporters are good at is not being able to recognize good sense, even if it slaps them. They much prefer to operate within the echo chamber, masticating on the cud of their own conceit.
Jeffers once managed Jolly Beach.
Job opportunities are far and few under this cabal.
They have killed the economy.
Jeffers is looking a good paying job again.
What better way to get it than to endorse this ludicrous plan by the governmet.
It is not a public sector job so he doesn’t have to retire at 65 years.
He is almost there or has already passed it.
So if he gets a job that pays well who cares about pension..
Thats how some people think.
He is concerned only about his pocket and to hell with the lowly worker under his watch.
Selfish cabalist!!!!!
He speaks as a hotelier and as an executive and not as one of the poor citizens and pensioners of this fair land of ours. The plight of pensioners who must depend on the meagre funds from social security for daily maintenance and survival is far more important than an individual and his opinion. Social Security funds is one fund that we cannot afford to play chess with. It is life and death for too many persons. Investment yes…..risky business NO!
@Audley Phillip….. Here you go again, yapping your chops at things that are out of your understanding. Keep pretending, you blue charlatan pretending to be what you’re not. You blue and yellow petticoat is showing from beneath your black pants.
“Prominent Hotelier fully endorses plan to invest in Jolly Beach Resort”
Give Brixtonian a break!
I’ve said time and time again that the ABLP, and especially Gaston Browne are totally controlled by Hotel lobbyists like Jeffers.
Look how he come out of the woodwork like a bloated termite to boost this risky government investment that could be so disastrous for future pensioners.
Which government official (or should I say puppet) has put Jeffers up front as some sort of promotional spokesman for this $75 Million Jolly Beach potential foible?
Diversification of this large Social Security fund is way way better than putting all of our Treasury eggs in one wasteful basket.
Browne must be held to account when this goes belly-up – even when he’s out of office. Why you think he talking ’bout 10 or so years down the line.
When we Antiguans get a “first world” mindset to financial matters instead of a “third world” that takes what we are told or given; then, and only then will Antigua & Barbuda 🇦🇬 be a REAL force on the financial and global stage.
However, this can NEVER happen if this current incompetent PM isn’t held to account on his “my way or the high way” fiscal policies …
I concur with every sentiment @ Audley Phillip 👏🏾
How on earth can a fat cat hotelier lecture old age pensioners, who are struggling to survive on meagre finances talk about a long term risky investment when many aren’t even given what they are entitled to today.
GIVE ALL CRITICAL THINKERS A BREAK!!!
Sometimes I wish I was wrong …
Take the politics out of this debate. And the failed UPP former Finance Minister who bankrupted this country and tried to sell off State Insurance, the Airport and the same Social Security should shut to hell up. No pension scheme in the world is doing well. People are living longer and the young are dying younger due to their excesses in alcohol, diet and speed. No pension scheme can survive or sustain itself on the half a percent interest the banks are offering. We must think outside the box. More innovative ways must be found. I don’t know if the Jolly Beach investment is good or bad but I am willing to listen and dissect all the information. I have alot of confidence in PM Browne’s financial acumen. He has demonstrated his skill with the WIOC acquisition. The public needs to be reminded of that genius move by the PM.
As I mentioned earlier, more WHATABOUTERY from the Gaston Browne supporters about UPPs past governance. They’d do well to remember that their ‘do no wrong’ leader has had 11 years to correct the Social Security scheme.
Gaston Browne’s so-called “financial acumen” has failed miserably, and if he was so brilliant at it as his supporters make him out to be, he would’ve been more transparent to one and all and the citizens of Antigua & Barbuda 🇦🇬 would have rejoiced at his financial wizardry. Simple!
If Jolly Beach ends up like Tranquility Bay where all the investors in their Timeshares lost all their money so Ayres could buy the property for pennies, then a big NO to gambling with Social Security. All round bad idea.
@Jess. If the investment fails, Social Security will still have the asset which can be sold. It will be backed by government guarantee anyway. This is different to the cabal who owned and managed the ABI Group which owned Tranquillity Bay and was being used to milk Jolly Beach. Are you aware that all suites and rooms at Tranquillity Bay were linked to Jolly Beach and never paid a cent for utilities. That is why they had to close when Jolly Beach closed.
I offered GM a valid way to coordinate his preferences for the Jolly Beach project, but I think he is to egotistical to even listen anyone.
A safe bet for the Jolly Beach project, is to sell the number of units that are on offer to his CBI clients, then take that money and construct the other 200 units that he wants to add to the property. That way you do not have to touch social security, and the government still make a boat load of money.
So I don’t see the big deal. That way he wouldn’t have to go against the pentioners wishes, and still come out golden.
But if there is a collapse of the tourism industry , it wouldn’t be the pensioners money that’s Lost.
A simple, but effective choice.
And for the few who says that the government can always sell the asset, at what cost would it be sold? More than likely it would be sold at a massive loss.
These old simpletons can be easily lead with cobwebs. It is inconceivable that they even went to ‘modern day’ schools. If the Money-Hawk suddenly says that, on careful consideration he thinks otherwise, it’s a certainty that every last one of them would be in agreement and would put their respective spins on the story. They certainty can’t think for themselves; then again, that’s how they are being paid.
It has always been one of ALP coordinate pillar to celebrate it’s leader as brilliant,and that the world and Caribbean need them,can’t you remember all the brilliant Lester bird posters stock up during elections, and goons like late Raul would call to the radio air wave each morning proclaiming what a brilliant leader Lester is, they all fraudsters plagiarizing some back ground advise they were getting, in lesters case Tim Hector just help him allot, and now Ron saunders is Gaston resource man, but all the make up brilliant false accolades Gaston is getting Lennox Weston and Sherfield Bowen are two much more educated person than Gaston brown, he can’t walk in their shoes, he use to plagiarize Lennox Weston Ideas.