92 November 2015 - Business View Caribbean
Indeed, Telemaque believes that a rebuilt port will, in
the long run, actually help to enhance tourism on the
island by increasing employment. “Creating a diverse
environment that can reduce unemployment will en-
able it to be more conducive for visitors and for busi-
ness. A socially dilapidated environment is not attrac-
tive to tourism, but when there are less idle hands,
you have less social challenges. When people are em-
ployed, the social enhancement becomes a far more
reachable objective and the whole experience chang-
es. You have better homes; you end up with more tax-
es so that you can make better streets; and you end
up with happier people and your visitors are treated
better. And we believe that those things, combined to-
gether, will create a more buoyant, stronger, tourism
product. So, diversification helps.”
In addition to the new marine terminal, Antigua is also
