As Antigua and Barbuda embarks upon the road to physical and economic recovery following Hurricane Irma, the United Progressive Party is urging the Government to convene a Post-Disaster Summit with regional stakeholder participation.
“Because of our geographical position, and our being the headquarters of LIAT, Antigua and Barbuda is uniquely positioned to become the leader in spearheading a comprehensive, integrated, disaster-risk reduction plan for the OECS,” explained Senator Harold Lovell, political leader of the UPP.
“It would integrate the most effective logistics, planning, and community-awareness initiatives that address disaster-preparedness techniques and emergency response,” he added. “In this way, it would promote development that is really sustainable among regional stakeholders who face similar challenges.”
“Whereas CDEMA mostly provides assistance to member-territories after the passage of particularly fierce hurricanes, there is a need, right now, for policies and strategies for recovery, and those will come out of greater dialogue and stakeholder engagement,” he said.
A regional summit would also allow Antigua and Barbuda to play a leadership role in crafting the tourism-recovery and destination disaster-management aspects of the plan.
In the meantime, from the tourism perspective, Lovell said it is critical that Government communicate that Antigua is still open for business – even as we continue to rebuild Barbuda.
“Tourists may learn a lot from seeing the steps and process to recovery,” he noted. “It will demonstrate that, as a nation, we are creating a robust, comprehensive emergency management plan. Disasters may happen, but we must demonstrate that we are capable of securing the safety and security of not only our citizens but also our visitors.”
Going forward, Senator Lovell believes that destination disaster-management must become a key component and distinctive feature of Antigua & Barbuda’s long-term strategic plan for the tourism product.
“While the restoration of consumer confidence and arrival numbers would be considered indicators of successful tourism recovery, the broader issue of disaster-management must center on reducing the region’s vulnerability in the first place,” he concluded.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
Can we have a more ORIGINAL and “deep-thinking” proposal?? This is nothing “genius” or innovative. It’s so obvious. Come betta than dat Lovell.
Lovell seems to know how to do everything when he is the opposition.
Has all the ideas. When the upp was in charge no ideas in his head
Comments are closed.