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The Council of Ministers of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) met in the Commonwealth of Dominica on Thursday, July 21, 2022 and issued the following statement:
OECS Council of Ministers [on Tourism]acknowledges that the OECS region is plagued by high air fares and poor intra-regional connectivity.
This situation has been further intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Council of ministers [on Tourism], acknowledges that limited connectivity has contributed to the high cost of interregional travel at a time when there is pent-up demand for travel. This is resulting in the loss of economic opportunities in the travel and trade sectors.
We recognize that having a regional carrier is of great importance to OECS member states, as intra-regional travel accounted for at least 25% of arrivals across the OECS region, more so in the second half of the year when member states The OECS organize major festivals and events.
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The Council of Ministers wishes to highlight the significant direct, indirect and induced contributions that travel and tourism make to our economies, employment and government revenue.
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In this regard, the OECS Council of Ministers: Tourism recognizing that regional travel is a strategic pillar for sustainable economic development, has agreed on the following: Rededication of efforts to advocate for a regional carrier, as a matter of urgency, for ease the demand for regional travel;
Acknowledging the important role of the CARICOM Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA) in the development of interregional travel and the need for Member States to facilitate route opportunities between air carriers by applying MASA as a means of improving air connectivity within the region; AND
Commitment to explore with the private sector a financially viable inter-island fast ferry service that would also facilitate the movement of goods, services and people at a more cost-effective rate while advancing the Free Movement Regime of the OECS.
Source: Organization of Eastern Caribbean States
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