Dear Sir:

I have yet to hear a single convincing argument that the introduction of land-based casinos to Barbados would bring additional and meaningful numbers of long stay visitors.

What compelling incentive would be put in place?

Would the gambling odds be better here in Barbados, than in the bewildering choice that targeted travellers already have literally on their doorstep?

About two years ago I attended a travel trade seminar at a new brand named hotel in St Maarten.

As soon as you entered the reception area you were confronted with banks of one-armed bandits, set in dimmed lighting more befitting a twilight zone than a luxury hotel.

Is this really our vision for sustained tourism development in the Caribbean?

It must seem very tempting for any government, to be lured with the thoughts of additional windfall gaming tax revenue, but I am glad that our (Barbados) Minister of Tourism has taken a strong stance against casinos.

Having seen a fall off in cruise ship passengers over the years, Bermuda is currently considering overturning a long-held ban on the operation of cruise ship casinos whilst in port.

At the same time they would suspend a US$14 cabin tax currently levied on ships calling on the island.

If the Bermuda Government overturns the current restrictions, then cruise lines would be able to open their casinos after 10pm, allowing hotel based visitors and presumably locals, access.

I am not sure whether this could be a possible compromise to a Barbados solution.

As oil prices have risen, many of the ships that currently berth in Bridgetown have tended to actually leave earlier to ensure less fuel is burnt by cruising at a slower speed.

However, if they could be persuaded to remain in port longer, then this could possibly entice a few more passengers off the ships to spend an evening in a revitalised Bridgetown or enjoy the current offerings in St. Lawrence Gap.

This maybe, might be a possible trade-off.

Should this idea have support, there would also have to be other considerations. As an hotelier, I already feel that cruise ships have several advantages over their land based colleagues.

In the anticipation of the change of legislation in Bermuda, one of the

Cruise operators, Norwegian Cruise Lines, is showing willing (as reported by the Royal Gazette), by making ‘hefty monetary contributions to support Bermuda tourism’.

NCL has committed to supporting the Bermuda Music Festival to the tune of US$150,000 and is donating US$275,000 to the Bermuda Heritage Museum and the St. George’s Foundation.

Premier of Bermuda, and also the Minister of Tourism, Ewart Brown, who spearheaded the initiative, recently reported that a similar commitment from Royal Caribbean Lines is being negotiated.

I have no doubts that the National Trust and Barbados Museum and Historical Society could make good use of similar contributions.

Obviously there are security and other logistical considerations, but if it could be a win-win situation for both the destination and the cruise ship operators, then why not?

It would also enable us to carefully gauge, over a period of time, whether there is in fact any real demand for casinos onshore.

Adrian Loveridge