—Continued from previous page …market, as well as sit in on a variety of intimate Roundtables where you can talk to experienced cruisers on a one-to-one basis regarding your equipment and/or the places you hope to someday visit. On-line registration is now open. All of the above is included in your registration fee of just US$35 for SSCA members or $50 for non-members at the “early bird” rate, or $40/$55 after October 31st. The theme this year is Clean Wake, Worldwide and Locally. Used sails and sailcloth will be collected for the SSCA Clean Wake Project “Second Life Sails”, which benefits Haitian fishermen who rely on sail-powered boats. Seven Seas Cruising Association, Inc. is the largest non-profit organization of voyaging cruisers in the world. Founded in 1952, SSCA is celebrating 61 years of making cruising dreams come true. For more information visit www.ssca.org and click on SSCA Events. Master’s Thesis on Carriacou and Cruisers Complete Last year Erin Heeney visited Tyrell Bay, Carriacou, Grenada to conduct research on the relations between locals and yachties. Her master’s degree thesis is now complete. ERIN HEENEY
New Flights to the Eastern Caribbean Crew changes? Guests arriving? Airlift to the Eastern Caribbean has some new additions! American Airlines will be increasing its service from New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport to Antigua & Barbuda this fall. The carrier will be operating daily non-stop flights to Antigua from November 21st, 2013 to March 31, 2014. American will be operating a 737 aircraft for the New York service. From London, Virgin Atlantic will also be increasing its service to five flights into Antigua’s VC Bird International Airport this winter, while Thomas Cook will be adding a new once-weekly service to Antigua from Manchester. American Airlines will also be adding two new flights from Miami to St Kitts. Beginning November 21st, the two new Miami flights will operate on Thursdays and Saturdays, in addition to the existing Friday and Sunday flights from Miami that were added last year. Tradewind Aviation introduces their signature “Premium Scheduled” nonstop service to Anguilla and Nevis from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Anguilla and Nevis join Tradewind’s St Bart’s route.
PAGE 6 CARIBBEAN COMPASS SEPTEMBER 2013
travel. In the case of ocean cruisers, or “yachties” (people who live on and travel by private sailboat), they are rarely considered in tourism discussions yet they have significant economic and social impacts on many small islands throughout the world.” In May and June 2012, Erin interviewed individuals to hear their stories about Tyrell Bay, the people who live there, and the yachties who visit. The interviews centred on the interactions and relationships between locals and yachties and how they perceive one another. Erin found that “The [relationship] between locals and yachties in Tyrell Bay was very positive and based on common and shared attitudes and behaviours, few tensions, and a somewhat balanced power structure. There is a sense of connection between the two communities that is based on understanding and real relationships. There was a sense that yachties are more like locals than other tourists… There is a strong social connection between locals and yachties in Tyrell Bay, which forms the basis of a positive tourism experience.” She adds, “However, there is some worry that as the world becomes more globalized and as more tourists visit Tyrell Bay, there is the opportunity for the social and cultural fabric of the community to be compromised. Based on research from around the world, it is frequently found that tourism that is grassroots or community-based, as seen in Tyrell Bay, is more successful in the long run. In order to ensure a sustainable future, this sense of open communication already seen between locals and yachties needs to be fostered and further supported by other stakeholders such as local and federal governments and economic development agencies.” For the full report see http://erinheeney.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/researchsnapshot-relations-between-locals-and-yachties-in-tyrell-bay-carriacou.pdf.
Erin says, “As a researcher and avid traveller by land and sea, I have many questions surrounding tourism… Typically tourists are classified by their nationality, with little attention given to the way in which they travel and the motivations behind such
Welcome Aboard! In this issue of Compass we welcome new advertisers Marigot Casino of St. Lucia, on page 36; and Crown Foods of St. Lucia, in the Market Place section pages 42 through 44. Good to have you with us!