During a radio address to commemorate November’s designation as Tourism Awareness Month, Minister Skerritt noted that the attractive offerings of the twin island Federation continues to resonate regionally and internationally particularly in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe and further afield. As such, he stressed that “the tourism sector is vitally important to our country and we all need to better understand support and protect tourism as one of the key drivers of the economy.” 

“Collectively, visitors to St. Kitts and Nevis spend approximately EC$500 million in our economy each year,” Minister Skerritt disclosed. “This expenditure creates and supports thousands of jobs and spreads benefits throughout our economy through the buying and selling of various goods and services that supply the needs of our visitors and sustain the tourism sector as a whole.” 

Practical examples of the trickledown effect of the tourist dollar were given including one which highlighted a front desk clerk at a hotel who directly benefits from visitor expenditure which helps to pay her wages. That clerk in turn may apply for a loan from a local financial institution. The employee at the lending agency that approves that loan benefits as interest revenue will accrue on the loan. The bank employee benefits from tourism indirectly by serving the needs of his customer whose income comes directly from tourism.