St. Kitts-Nevis is fairly well positioned to compete in today’s difficult economic environment due to the decision taken in 2006 to shift the balance of the Federation’s visitor target market towards providing a high-quality destination experience for a more sophisticated customer with greater spending power.

“Investors and developers of world-class tourism products such as Marriott’s Vacation Club International, Ocean’s Edge, and Christophe Harbour, have reinforced this positioning by their continued work and presence on St. Kitts and through their own public relations and advertising efforts that showcase St. Kitts abroad,” Minister of State for Tourism, Sen. the Hon. Richard Skerritt said in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly on Tuesday.

Minister Skerritt said that the global crisis means that St. Kitts is now in a serious market share battle with every other destination vying for the same higher-end of the market.

“To effectively penetrate this market and keep the discerning traveler coming to our shores requires an aggressive programme that includes attracting and maintaining appropriate airlift, providing a superior visitor experience on St. Kitts and implementing a consistent and well-integrated marketing programme,” said Mr. Skerritt.