TOURISM INFORMATION GAPS

Ben Harrison, International Correspondent

Last week, The Vincentian responded to a call from a couple from England, who were vacationing for two weeks in St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

Prior to leaving their home in England, Dr. Falkner (Rao) and her husband Brian did considerable research to prepare for their first visit to our island. They had a copy of our Ministry of Tourism map and a long list of places they wanted to visit. Because both are enthusiastic home gardeners, they were looking forward to visiting Montreal Gardens.

Arriving at ET Joshua Airport in Arnosvale, they noted telephone numbers, listed for Tourist Information Services. During the week, anxious to find out directions and information about several destinations, including Montreal Gardens, Dr. Faulkner repeatedly called the listed numbers repeatedly during the day, but the telephone was never answered.

She then called the number listed in the Cable & Wireless directory for the Ministry of Tourism and when she eventually talked to some one, she was given a telephone number for a Parks Department , which she called. The person at the Parks Department said that Montreal gardens was a private garden , with which they had nothing to do and were unable to supply any information. They told her to call Tourism Information Services.

Not wanting to go full circle once again, she found a telephone number for Montreal Gardens in the directory; called the number listed and spoke to owner Timothy Vaughan, who promptly arranged a visit and provided directions.

The Faulkners were staying with friends on the Leeward side and arranged with a taxi to take them to the Gardens from Kingstown at a negotiated fee of $150.00 which was increased by an additional $30.00 demand for a tip on their return to Kingstown.
It is unfortunate that what otherwise was a very positive experience for the Faulkners, was compromised by the difficulty they experienced in getting information about the Gardens and the unacceptable taxi fee, plus the less than professional attitude of the driver.

The Vincentian made several attempts to call the advertised tourism information numbers at various times throughout the week making one last attempt on Tuesday morning. The airport number did not answer, there was no answer from the Tourist Information number listed at the Cruise Ship Terminal, and although a very helpful operator at the Ministry of Tourism attempted to connect us with two different lines in their offices. Neither line was answered. The best the operator could suggest was to call later.

It would be presumptuous to second guess the professionals in our Ministry of Tourism, whose business is to disseminate information about St. Vincent & the Grenadines around the world. But one wonders if their global perspective is not overshadowing the importance of little details in our own backyard that are so important to facilitating the enjoyment of visitors to our shores.

It has been said that “You only have one opportunity to make a good first impression.” Not everyone travels in organized groups. Like the Faulkners, they do their homework over the internet in their home country and arrange their own exploration to the sites that interest them the most. How many people have given up in disappointment and frustration when confronted with communication obstacles similar to those experienced by the Faulkners?

On a final note: The Faulkners did say that their visit to St. Vincent was “Love at first sight.” They liked the friendly people they met, enjoyed many other tourist destinations and were amazed at the unparalleled beauty and creativity of Montreal Gardens, in spite of their difficulty in getting there.