Awakening Economic Activity In Vieux Fort

The town of Vieux Fort was poised to be well on it way to serous economic revival until the global economic and financial crisis put a screeching halt to major hotel developments on the fringes of the southern town. Properties due to be developed in Praslin, Black Bay and River Doree would have provided several jobs and energized agriculture, craft and other key sectors.

The Southern Tourism Development Committee, (STDC) with a mandate to advance tourism development from Laborie to Dennery, has had to rethink its plans for training a workforce for the expected hotel developments. Cuts in government subvention have not helped and to date the STDC's General Manager Mr. Sylvanius Fontenard, is waiting on a Village Tourism programme to kick-start tourism activities in the south. Village tourism is likely to take full effect in the next financial year. Mr. Fontenard says civil society groups and investors in the east and south will have to play a major role in the proposed Village Tourism programme.

Land space for development is not a problem in Vieux Fort and the air and sea ports are well positioned for both industrial and tourism development. Mr. Fontenard thinks that the proposed closure of the George F.L. Charles airport could be just the catalyst Vieux Fort needs for a spike in economic activity. It will immediately benefit guess houses, taxi drivers and call for the construction of conference facilities and see the realization of the full potential of the Hewanorra International Airport. In addition, it will be a huge relief on tax payers who have had to foot the bill for running two airports.

Source: Caribbean Business Report