One or more legacy airlines from the UK, US and Canada are expected to be the first carriers to operate to Argyle Airport, which is under construction in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Speaking to The HUB during the 18th World Route Development Forum, in Abu Dhabi, Glenn Beach, CEO of the island’s tourism authority, said at least one legacy and potentially a large LCC or charter carrier were among those with whom he was in advanced discussions about operating to the new gateway.
Beach also said almost all the private funding to complete the airport, the island’s first international gateway, had been secured and that it was “on schedule” to be completed by March 2013.
“The new airport is going to be a major game changer for tourism in St Vincent and the Grenadines but we don’t want to become another St Lucia or Trinidad offering mass tourism, we don’t people visiting and feeling like they are still in a part of Europe,” he said.
Beach said the island’s would seek to offer a sustainable tourism alternative with major attractions including the St Vincent and Grenadines position as a major yatching and pristine coral and diving destination.
He also revealed that the tourism authority was initiating an island-wide grading of hotels to prevent “the problem of hotels being overpriced” and ensure “they are getting more value for money, in a time of global economic uncertainty that is a big deal.”
(by Oliver Clark)
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