EDITORIAL - Focus on long-term gain

There has been much interest recently in the controversy and court case surrounding the construction of the Hyatt Hotel on Bay Street, St. Michael. Residents of this island have been following these developments closely to see how this particular dispute will ultimately end.

Barbados has become a much desired holiday destination for visitors from the US, Europe and Canada. It is also considered an attractive real estate option for higher income investors looking for part-time homes. However, how beneficial would this be for Barbados in the long run?

The consideration of the development of Barbados’ coastal properties is very attractive to the Government of Barbados for several reasons. The main reason, along with the returns made from the sale, is the immediate employment opportunities available during the construction of the properties, as well as the long term employment for staff on its completion. Other reasons may include the increasing number of housing opportunities for visitors to the island, and the marketing of the island by the developers themselves. However, isn’t the main beneficiary in these types of development projects the developers?

Having considered some of the perceived benefits, let us now consider some of the disadvantages of this revenue-earning initiative. In selling these coastal areas, we are restricting our own citizens from accessing the very attributes of which we boast. This is not to say that the beaches themselves are restricted to visitors alone; but direct access by locals will be a lot more difficult.

Another point for consideration is what will happen when there is no more prime land to sell. When all the beachfront land has been fully developed and there is no more profit to be derived from this avenue, what will the Government sell next? In the short term, this may all seem very lucrative and profitable, but it is not a lasting line of revenue.

A more feasible approach would be to invest fully in our tourism product. There are several hotels and resorts of varying standards to meet any pocket, but many of the entertainment facilities have suffered and closed due to the current economic situation being faced in the country. The Government should try to build up the Bajan culture in a way that is profitable to the country while being attractive to visitors and investors alike.

We also should take this opportunity to commend Barbadians, particularly those in the service industries, for the outstanding job they have been doing as it relates to customer service excellence. Because of this, Barbadians have continued to make vast improvements in making a tourist’s visit to the island substantially more pleasant. However, it is our responsibility as Barbadians to ensure that we keep up this practice of excellence. There is absolutely no point in promoting and teaching about the merits of customer service if we continue to behave in the same abrasive manner.

These are some of the things that the Government should focus on. It is in these things that we will see long term benefits. Although these short term solutions may seem very attractive in the current economic climate, their benefits will soon be consumed and ultimately forgotten as Barbadians continue to deal with their individual situations. By investing in the future, we can all look forward to enjoying the fruits of our success for years to come.