Different & Dynamic. Bigga, Brighta, Betta! Volume 11 • Number 16 • November 29, 2017 • Website: www.CaribbeanGraphic.ca
Tel: 647-669-9320 • Fax: 416-292-2943 • Email: graphiclyn@gmail.com
Guyanese-Canadian Businessman Under OPP Investigation For $119 Million Mortgage Fraud
Bhaktraj Singh (Raj Singh) aka Backtoe B.Sc., MBA
According to a November 8, 2017 Globe & Mail report the GuyaneseCanadian Raj Singh owned Tier 1 group of companies is under investigation into fraud allegations by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) involving the use of
syndicated mortgage investment funds. “The mortgage pools raised $119 million from 1500 investors to fund a development group planning to build condominiums and student residences.” The Globe & Mail’s report cited. A report by accounting firm, Grant Thorton which has been appointed trustee for the mortgage investors, said the OPP’s anti-rackets branch is investigating a condominium project at 28 McMurray St. W. in Bracebridge, Ont. that was one of the developments funded by the syndicated mortgage loans. The OPP sent a letter to investors in the McMurray project saying it is trying to identify victims and witnesses who will speak to the police. Grant Thornton said it also contacted the RCMP about the case. The trustee's report asks for court approval to give police the names of investors in the McMurray loans, and says it anticipates police will ask for names of investors in the other, related projects as the investigation continues. Toronto lawyer David Franklin, who is representing investors who lost money in the Tier 1 mortgage pools, said he contacted the OPP about the case because he was concerned that investors appeared to have lost money due to wrongdoing. ‘They were told these are safe, secure investments, you'll get 8 per cent on your money, it's good for your retirement and it's RRSP eligible,’ Mr. Franklin said. Mr. Franklin said he believes the Financial Securities Commission of Ontario (FSCO) took too long to act on concerns about wrongdoing that stretched back for years, and most of the investors' money has been lost as result.
According to court filings, FSCO suspended the two mortgage broker firms' licenses in October, 2016, after an investigation concluded that they promoted and sold the mortgage investments in violation of mortgage lending rules. FSCO alleged it discovered numerous conflicts of interest involving Bhaktraj Singh, who was a senior executive at the mortgage broker companies that were marketing the syndicated loans. FSCO said Mr. Singh was also a "director, officer, shareholder (either directly or indirectly) and/or profit participation interest holder" in most of the development groups that borrowed from the mortgage pools. The regulator said investors were not told about Mr. Singh's "clear conflict of interest" in marketing the syndicated mortgage investments without clearly disclosing he would also benefit from loans to entities in which he had a financial interest.” The Globe and Mail further stated, “Grant Thornton, which is overseeing 11 companies that held mortgages issued using the investors' funds, said in court filings it has concluded that most of the companies had loans outstanding for projects run by a group known as the Davies Developers headed by real estate developer John Davies. The group included Mr. Singh and others. Earlier this year, the trustee asked the court to appoint a receiver - KSV Kofman Inc. - to take control of the eight Davies Developers properties. In a report filed in court in June, KSV concluded only a small percentage of money borrowed from the investors appeared to have been used for its intended development purposes, while millions of dollars were paid to the Davies Developers group in management fees, consulting fees, dividends and loans. Justice Meyers in his endorsement concerning these transactions wrote: “This was apparent on day one. To answer the systemic cash drain built into the companies by design, Mr. Davies and Mr. Singh would have Tier 1 obtain further public investments. Tier 1 raised funds from real people on the basis than the funds would be lent to a developer on a secured basis to fund a building. But instead, Singh and Davies used new funds to pay accruing interest on earlier investments in other of the 11 companies. That is called a Ponzi scheme. Individuals who invested in these mortgages are now being urged to contact the OPP anti-rackets branch to assist them in their investigation.
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Volume 11 • Number 16 • November 29, 2017
Paradise Encountered, A Week At St Kitts' Ocean Terrace Inn As part of a Contra Agreement that was facilitated by St Kitts Tourism’s US based Adams Unlimited Public Relations Manager, Cathy Preece, Caribbean Graphic’s Publisher Tony McWatt and Director of Business Development/Photographer Lyn Balram visited the island’s Ocean Terrace Inn for a one-week stay that lasted from October 31 through to November 6. On all accounts it was an outstandingly pleasurable experience that the duo will now never forget and which they will always fondly remember. So much so that McWatt has already started scheming plans for a return to OTI during the coming year. The St Kitts Ocean Terrace Inn is an intimate 4 Star boutique hotel, where ‘the little things’ make all the difference. Having been totally renovated in 2015, it now offers state-of-the-art amenities, chic public areas,
mouth-watering cuisine curated by International Chefs, modern accommodations and a level of personalized service that has set a whole new standard for St Kitts tourism. Immersed as it is in gardens rich with colorful flowering shrubs and trees, which feature a manmade lagoon pool that meanders lazily through the grounds and its lush landscaping, Ocean Terrace Inn is located high atop one of St. Kitts most spectacular vistas, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the capital city of Basseterre and the neighboring island of Nevis. As Lyn and Tony found out upon arrival, much to their gleeful delight, OTI’s 34 perfectly appointed air-conditioned guest rooms and suites with complimentary Wi-Fi all have private furnished balconies or patios. Room types range from standard, terrace garden rooms, superior hillside ocean view to deluxe luxury poolside view rooms and luxury ocean terrace suites. Lyn’s room was a “presidential” luxury suite, overlooking the hotel’s courtyard and furnished with a bathroom the size of which would almost match that of standard rooms in many other hotels. The shower was sufficiently large as to accommodate her entire family if they’d been there with her. Much to her delight there was also a walk-in closest! Tony’s room, though marginally smaller, offered the benefit of double balconies. The first overlooking the Bay that borders the island’s capital city Basseterre, provided spectacular almost daily views of arriving and departing cruise ships with neighboring Nevis visible in the distant background. The second balcony overlooked the same courtyard as Lyn’s. Needless to say most of Tony’s hotel time was spent sitting on the Ocean view balcony, simply basking in the view of its breathtaking scenery while sipping on his favorite poison. Ocean Terrace Inn also offers an array of activities and amenities to its guests including a lagoon style swimming pool with beautiful cascading waterfalls; poolside bar; complimentary daily shuttle service to Friar’s Bay Beach and room service for in-room dining. Due to their hectic daily St Kitts exploration activities however, there was little time for either Lyn or Tony to enjoy any of the aforementioned amenities. They did however partake of the amazing cuisine offered at OTI’s two restaurants, the Ve r a n d a h a n d t h e completely newly renovated Fisherman’s Wharf. One of the most memorable events of their entire stay was the Sunday night dinner they enjoyed with the hotel’s Master Chef Larry Montrose. He prepared a series of mouth-watering dishes for the two, with names that were far too exotic to be remembered and tastes that were divinely delicious. That dinner was hosted by Chef Larry at Ocean Terrace Inn’s main restaurant, The Verandah, which offers both indoor and outdoor dining and is conveniently open for breakfast and lunch daily. At night, as was the Caribbean Graphic duo’s experience, the Verandah transforms into a romantic sophisticated setting with Caribbean culinary delights.
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The Graphic Lyn duo were also privileged to attend the official Saturday November 4 reopening of the hotel’s second restaurant, the Fisherman’s Wharf which had suffered somewhat severe hurricane damage. Perched on a pier stretching out into the Caribbean Sea, Fisherman’s Wharf is a combination of spectacular views of Basseterre with a menu dominated by fresh seafood. Chef Larry and his crew prepare regional flavors and only the freshest local ingredients for an authentic Caribbean experience. The reopening was very well attended, mostly by locals seeking to experience the Fisherman’s Wharf charming ambiance and its amazing food. While not enjoying the OTI’s spectacular views, its amazing food and the wonderful hospitality of its overly friendly staff, the Caribbean Graphic duo were busy taking in as many of St Kitts tourist attractions as was possible during their one week stay. These included numerous shopping visits to the Cruise Ship harbor, populated as it is with countless stores offering tourist oriented items for sale. During one of their many visits they even stumbled across a Guyanese owned restaurant where Tony delightfully in engaged in the consumption of a mutton curry and roti, while sipping a Carib Beer. As St Kitts adopted national beer, Carib can be bought at places within the island at pricing as low as US$1.oo. A discovery that was much to Tony’s delight. Thanks to some last minute arrangements by their Canadian based, good friend, Carib Manager Horace Bhopalsingh, the Caribbean Graphic duo were also able to visit the brand St Kitts brewery. Although the brewery wasn’t actually in operation at the time, the visit still proved to be most informative and educational. So too were the visits the pair paid to some of St Kitts’ other most notable attractions, including Brimstone Hill and the Batik Village. There was also a Sunday, November 5 excursion on the island’s scenic railway. It being Tony’s actual birthday he gleefully engaged in the consumption of copious amounts of the complimentary rum punch that was being served on the train, while enjoying the amazing scenic delights that punctuated the two-hour train ride. Prior to the St Kitts Tourism hosted
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Sunday Tour, which included a delicious lunch at the rustic roadside restaurant Cooper’s with its most unusual dining settings, the Canadians had also ventured over to neighboring Nevis, via a forty-five minute ferry boat that was as relaxing as it was enjoyable. They were met on arrival by one of the OTI General Manager Chris Ghita’s very good friends who willingly showed them around. The highlight of that visit was Lyn’s accidental meeting, while touring the island’s hot spring, with a cousin she’d never actually met before and her subsequent far too brief hookup with her uncle whom she had not seen for almost forty years. The rest of the duo’s time on Nevis was spent relaxing at the island’s world famous Sunshine’s Beach Bar indulging in its legendary lethal Beestinger rum punch. Unfortunately time did not allow for Tony to attempt to break the bar’s existing Beestinger consumption record of 17, an undertaking he would happily have pursued. As the saying goes, nothing good lasts forever and all good things must eventually come to an end. So it was therefore, after their incredibly enjoyable one week escape stay at the St Kitts Ocean Terrace Inn, enjoying as they did all of the hotel’s many delights and those of the island as well, it was time for the Caribbean Graphic duo to wend their way back home to their Canadian realities.
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Volume 11 • Number 16 • November 29, 2017
Commentary:
St Kitts’ Ocean Terrace Inn Thriving Under Chris Ghita’s Superb Management Chris Ghita’s journey to his current position as General manager of the St Kitts Ocean Terrace Inn actually started some twenty-three years ago. He’d entered the industry as a waiter, but quickly worked his way up through different departments, taking no days off. He says that back then his overall objective was simply to understudy various departments, their roles and respective job tasks. He was always trying to master all the different skill sets, so that he could one day be in a position to teach any of those roles from a solid position of accumulated knowledge. That journey which started on the beautiful island of Grenada, at the Spice Isle & Beach Resort, progressed into further industry educational knowledge accumulation from programmes at universities and colleges in various parts of the globe, Grenada, Sweden, even here in Toronto at the George Browne College. At age 29, having spent nine years at Spice Isle in different capacities, Chris Ghita became the Caribbean region’s youngest ever hotel General Manager when he was appointed to that position at Grenada’s Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort, a luxury turnkey property. From there he would go on to manage several other prestigious Caribbean properties, including St Lucia’s Village Inn, Palm Island in the Grenadines, Antigua’s Galley Bay Resort & Spa, as well as a couple of Sandals’ properties in Jamaica. His most favorite memories of those days are from his Grenadines’ Palm Island stint. He describes the island as a 134 acre slice of paradise, where the scenery was so magnificent it will now be remembered for the rest of his life. His daily routine there was often punctuated by sightings of pigeons, seagulls and sharks and of lobsters crawling alongside turtles in the depths of its crystal clear waters. Chris’ initial career dream had actually been to become a pilot, as from ever since he’d known himself he’d always wanted to fly planes. In pursuit of that dream he’d enrolled in the island’s pilot training school. As faith and fortune would dictate however, his mother simply didn’t have the financial resources to support his studies, so instead she encouraged him to seek employment as a means of earning himself the revenues necessary to pursue his passion. His employment search led him to a twenty-bedroom hotel, where he told the owner that he wanted to wait tables. Asked if he had any experience his response was “I think I do for I’ve seen others do it and I’m sure I can!” After a one-week trial, he was officially on the payroll earning a wage at the tender age of 17. He reveled in the exposure and opportunity to interact with so many different people and found himself always enthusiastically engaged in attempts to understand not only their respective cultures, but also their abilities to afford the vacation journeys they had made from wherever they came, all the way to the Caribbean. He also became very interested in traveling to the very places where those he was meeting had come from. Having come to St Kitts’ Ocean Terrace Inn with his small family background, raised as he had been by his single Mom, Chris Ghita has always known what it means to be humble. Throughout his now illustrious hotel management career journey, he’s always said to himself that the greatest importance would be for him to pass his immense acquired knowledge onto others. As a small boutique hotel and as a part of St Kitts’ only recent emergence as a tourism entity, OTI has given him the opportunity to work hands on with others who can definitely benefit from his experience and knowledge. His definition of OTI as a boutique hotel paints it as a small, intimate, less than fifty-room property, it actually hosts 34, offering personalized services, environmentally best friendly practices, hands on management, in addition to the ability to meet and exceed expectations as a direct result of its close knit family type work environment. In his opinion, OTI’s core customer is the region’s business community. 60% of OTI’s business comes from the Caribbean corporate community, particularly government ministries, the financial sector and sporting bodies. A s S t K i t t s ’ o n l y b o u t i q u e h o t e l o ff e r i n g l u x u r y accommodation, Ocean Terrace Inn has no real competitors in its class. The property offers outstanding meeting facilities for study groups, conferences and banquets. Coupled with its two
spectacular restaurants, the Verandah and the newly renovated Fisherman’s Wharf, these combinations make OTI an overly attractive option for Caribbean corporate hosting. OTI’s rooms are outstandingly spectacular in their luxurious spaciousness. Indeed if judged on size alone they would rank right alongside the very best that many of the region’s larger hotel’s have to offer. Until the recent establishment of the Park Hyatt, OTI’s was actually the newest inventory of rooms on St Kitts. Chris says that the major challenge facing OTI, and indeed the St Kitts’ entire hotel industry, is the availability, or lack thereof, of required skill sets. St Kitts is now still emerging as a tourism destination, which oftentimes makes it difficult to find personnel that can provide the right fit for the respective hotels’ needs. That necessitates the hiring of professionals who have are equipped with both training and management experience and who are willing to engage in coaching and mentoring their associates and subordinates. High turnover has also been a challenge in specific departments; kitchens and maintenance are among those which have proven to be problematic in that regard. That has forced Chris and his OTI Management group to reach out to St Kitts’ two existing vocational schools in attempts to establish partnerships that will allow students to participate in continuous year round internship attachments at the hotel. This allows participating young students to see themselves as part of the hotels’ integral plans and fosters a relationship whereby they come to regard OTI as their second home. Starting with part-time jobs at the hotel and upon completion of their studies becoming full-time employees. OTI now enjoys an annual occupancy rate of approximately 65%, which is by no means satisfactory to Chris as its General manager. As a boutique hotel with relatively limited room inventory however, OTI is often challenged by large group requests, frequently having to refer the excess guest numbers to other properties. Plans are however afoot to use the still available space on the property to construct condo type buildings, which would serve to significantly increase the hotel’s room capacity. That would allow OTI to take advantage of big group, large event opportunities that it presently has to forsake. The possibilities are for OTI to add another 30 odd rooms that would result in a total room capacity of 65. With that number of rooms available Chris believes that OTI’s average annual occupancy rate would easily climb to the around 85%. It would also allow OTI to become more attractive to leisure-oriented guests. With regards to the challenge of becoming more attractive to leisure-oriented guests, according to Chris OTI’s lack of direct beach access is both a threat and an opportunity. The threat being the perception that OTI is not adequately beach equipped to serve leisure guests. The opportunity is that OTI does provide a to and from shuttle service that takes guests directly to one of the island’s best beaches, which is only approximately ten miles away. An existing service that can obviously be better promoted as a means of allaying such previously mentioned negative perceptions. Although OTI is conveniently located within a ten-minute drive of the island’s international airport, it is also slap bang within the commercial district. That makes noise pollution an inescapable reality, especially during the carnival season. The silver lining to that dark cloud is the hotel’s attractiveness to carnival enthusiasts, particularly those visiting from other parts of the Caribbean and even at times North America, the numbers of which are ever increasing. As a small, newly refurbished property OTI cannot ever afford to take its guests for granted. Acceptance of this reality is evidenced by Chris and his management team’s emphasis on data accumulation. An opinion feedback card is not only presented, but its importance is also fully explained, to all visitors immediately upon their arrival, The information gathered from those cards is then used to analyze any apparent trends in visitor origins patterns. More importantly it is also used to identify areas of needed improvements. The results provided by OTI’s systematic data gathering activities are taken to the hotel’s training sites They are often used by Chris himself to provide staff with direct insights to how their performance in their respective sectors has been received by visitors and facilitates their direct understanding of what improvements are necessary. As part of his CEO responsibilities Chris engages in bi-weekly staff training sessions.
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC The People’s Paper, daring to be different. Website: www.CaribbeanGraphic.ca Tel: 647.669.9320 • Fax: 905.813.9403 Email: graphiclyn@gmail.com
Having won the award for being the second most sustainable hotel in the entire Caribbean, behind an Aruba based property, OTI’s active involvement with members of the local meat farming and agricultural industries allows it to acquire supplies, at pricing that makes its restaurant offerings highly competitive with other properties on the island. One relationship with a local pig farmer allows the hotel to provide separated waste as food for the pigs. The farmer also takes shredded paper from OTI’s offices for use as compost on his farm. In return he sells his pigs to OTI at a cost that is roughly 50% less than that offered to any of his other customers, including of course OTI’s hotel industry competitors. OTI’s food service menus are comprised almost exclusively of locally produced items. The only exception being at times when the farmer’s produce has been in sufficiently short supply as to warrant the use of imported or processed food items. That’s the hotel’s way of contributing to the further growth of the island’s economy. OTI’s prices compare favorably to those of other competitive restaurants. Dining in St Kitts is characterized by local patronization. Kittitians love dining out and seemingly do so at every opportunity. Birthdays which are of huge significance to most Kittitians and are often celebrated by dining out with all the trimmings. OTI stands out in St Kitts because of its emphasis on local development, the partnerships it has created with local farmers and agro processors, its engagement in environmental best practices both on and off site, as well as its exploration of sponsorship opportunities with schools. The hotel constantly provides support to young adults in the pursuit of their interests. All this stems from Chris inherent view of himself as a strident advocate for youth advancement and the constant pursuit of opportunities for sustainable development. He puts that into practice by inculcating locals into everything that’s being done at OTI, through proffered training and development. Everyone that falls under his management umbrella is provided with the exposure that will allow them to met and exceed the expectations others have of them, as well as those they have of themselves. Towards that end he has often given school teachers free weekend stays at the hotel that have included educational exposure to key areas of the property’s operations, including inventory control, reservations and sales. Such complimentary stays have also been hosted by the hotels Employee and Manager of the Month. In so doing Chris has tapped into his Grenadian experience where such practices are common within the island’s hotel industry. Chris sees education of the industry as a process, but says that it was never been his intention to stay at OTI any longer than is necessary for him to achieve the objectives he’d established at the time of his appointment. He’s already developed his succession plan and identified members of his staff who can continue the process after he’s left. His succession plan for OTI is not as yet as strong as he would like it to be; hence he’s already overstayed the two-year time frame he usually gives himself at each property he manages. His objective is to have a system in place that will allow for the seamless management of the hotel’s sustainable development, so he plans on staying on for a while to ensure that is in place before he departs for his next journey, which will most like be in the form of a training consultancy. That will be his way of ensuring that the outstanding knowledge and expertise he’s accumulated over his now twenty-three-hotel industry journey is indeed passed on to as many others as possible. Not only for the benefit of St Kitts but also for the entire Caribbean region.
Publisher/Editor: Contributors:
Legal: Accounting: Graphic Design:
Tony McWatt Selwyn Baboolal, Chef Phillip Hendricks, Dr. George Traitses, Mala Rambharose, Rudy Lochan, Sanjay Patel, Cherry Khan Oumarally and Baboolal Haroon Gafur Julie Rambali, infiniteLinx.ca
Volume 11 • Number 16 • November 29, 2017
CARIBBEAN GRAPHIC
Guyanese-Canadian Tourism Council Visit Guyana Tourism Awareness Supplement
GCTC Conducts Fly Jamaica Sponsored Guyana FAM Tour A Guyanese-Canadian Tourism Council's (GCTC) Fly Jamaica sponsored four member group of media persons and travel agents visited Guyana over the November 10-14, 2017 weekend on a familiarisation tour in a bid to attract more Canadians to come and experience Guyana's famous hospitality among other things for which it is noted. The team, consisted of owner and CEO of Roraima Travel, Mr Syed Rayman; Publisher of the Caribbean Graphic Newspaper, Mr Tony McWatt; Travel Agent Ms. Shararazad Hack-Gill; and one of Canada's top food stylists, Mr. Nathan Fong. During a debriefing session with local media Mr. Fong, who is also one of Canada's culinary ambassadors, expressed his belief that Guyana has a bright future in food tourism. “I think Guyana's tourism has great potential; their culture and culinary background varies,” he said, adding: “Seeing the vast richness of their cultural background; the Chinese, East Indians, African, it's a melting pot of cuisines.” The tour was also made possible through the support of the Marriott International, and the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel as well as the Guyana Tourism Authority.
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Volume 11 • Number 16 • November 29, 2017
Tourism A Significant Contributor To Guyana’s Development - Says Minister Gaskin Minister of Business with responsibility for Tourism,
24 Tourism Planning Business Session at the Regency
Dominic Gaskin, has encouraged regional stakeholders
Suites.
to regard the tourism sector as a significant contributor to
In his remarks, the Minister noted that there is value in
the development of Guyana.
preserving Guyana’s natural habitat, adding that more
“There is enormous potential in this industry’, it can hold
needs to be done to attract visitors to the hinterland.
its own against all the other well-established industries.
“Hinterland tourism is the product that we are promoting
We have a mindset that seems not to acknowledge
and there is some unwritten or unspoken agreement that
tourism as a serious economic sector, but it is,” the
this is the strength of our tourism industry,” Minister
Minister said. He was at the time addressing regional
Gaskin said.
officials and stakeholders from Guyana’s ten
Over the last four months, the Department of Tourism
administrative regions, who were attending a November
has been consulting with regional stakeholders to identify tourism hot spots. These will be included in the Draft Tourism Policy. The Session saw various recommendation being discussed and reviewed. Some of the suggestions included Shell Beach, the Harpy Eagle’s nesting site, the Kissing Rock and the Hosororo Falls in Region One. Other identified tourism hot spots include the Potaro River, the Eagle Mountain, and the North PakaraimasExpo and Safari in Region Eight. Region Six suggested sites include Orealla/ Siparuta, Number 63 and Bush Lot beaches, historical Berbice, Canje river and Agri- tours Meetings will continue across the country after which the Ministry and the regional stakeholders will work together to have those identified hot spots further developed.
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Explore Guyana 2018’ Offially Lunched Explore Guyana 2018, the nation’s official tourist magazine was showcased, on the evening of November 22, at the British High Commissioner’s residence. Publisher Lokesh Singh, in his remarks at the launching ceremony, explained that 35 thousand copies of the magazine will be available for free distribution in and out of the country. This move, he said, is part of the effort to target the diaspora and prospective tourists. “We’ve seen this magazine grow over the years and I’m pleased to share with you as well that I believe tonight’s edition is going to be the largest edition we have published in the history of the magazine. We are going to deliver to you, a magazine of 112 pages, which tells you that the tourist industry is growing,” he said. Andrea de Caires, President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, gave some insights into this year’s magazine. She noted that tourism is changing and “our guests want to become immersed in Guyana. This cultural tourism is the new boom and they want to know everything there is to know. So, what we have done this year, for the first, divided the magazine by month so if you are here in November you can open up to November and you can see all of the activities that are happening in that month.” Minister with responsibility for Tourism, Dominic Gaskin, also endorsed the magazine and spoke of its importance to the local tourism drive. He observed that the magazine can hold its own next to any international tourist publication both in content and quality. “This magazine that is being launched will play an important role in raising awareness of Guyana’s wonderful tourism product that we seem to be hiding from the rest of the world maybe it’s not deliberate … but with magazines such as Explore Guyana, we can be discovered by readers from all over the world. Guyana can become a leading green destination by the year 2025 and we must ensure that it does by developing our unique product by marketing our unique destination,” the minister said. Apart from highlighting the country’s diverse species, its vast hinterland regions, wide-ranging cuisine articles, local Video Producer Alex Arjoon and Photographer Michael Lam are also featured along with an article the British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn on Prince Harry’s visit to Guyana. The winners of the THAG Children’s Essay Competition were also awarded at the launch.
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Caribbean Jewel
“ Marriott Sizzle: Sizzlingly attractive Guyanese beauty Davie Sukdeo is now the Guyana Marriott Hotel's Director of Sales having been recently appointed to that prestigious position. With Davie's obvious beauty and brains now in charge of its sales the five star hotel's occupancy levels can be expected to sizzle if not soar! “
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Volume 11 • Number 16 • November 29, 2017
GCTC Fly Jamaica FAM Tour Diary Over the November 10-14, 2017 period, four Canadian based media travel agent representatives conducted a Fly Jamaica sponsored FAM Tour of Guyana and its tourism oriented attractions. The Canadian group was comprised of GuyaneseCanadian Tourism Council Members, Chairman Syed Rayman and Media Relations Director Tony McWatt, Toronto based Travel Agent Sherry Hack-Gill and Vancouver based Food Columnist Nathan Fong. The following is a Daily Diary highlights account of the Group’s activities during their four day Guyana visit. Day 1: Friday, November 30 Tony and Syed arrived at Toronto International Airport at approximately 6:00 am to check in for the Fly Jamaica flight, which was scheduled to leave at 9. Hopes of an upgrade to Business Class were dashed by the flight’s completely full status. The check in procedures were however, pleasantly punctuated by interactions with Ryan Rahaman, the son of Tony’s Guyana based cousin Carolyn and nephew to Syed, through marriage, who as a race car driver was also traveling back to Guyana on the same flight to participate in the Annual International Motor Racing Meeting. The 2017 version of which was being held at Timehri on Sunday November 19. After an uneventful flight, the Group arrived safely in Guyana, collected their bags, proceeded through Customs and Immigration without undue hassles and were met upon emergence from the Arrivals Terminal by a name sign bearing Guyana Tourism Authority Driver, Corwin Ward. An exciting night drive from Timehri to the Georgetown Marriott culminated in the Group’s safe arrival at the luxurious hotel. There they were met by the GTA’s Representatives Michelle Sewnazie and Syed Ibrahim who gave them an official welcome, complete with item filled bags and a detailed briefing on the hectic itinerary that had been planned for them in the days to follow. A flawless coconut water check in for the three Marriott based Group members, Sherry, Syed and Tony was prefaced by Nathan’s reluctant departure to the Princess Casino Hotel, where he’d been scheduled to stay. Not surprisingly barely had Tony entered his room that he was disturbed by a distress phone call from the GTA’s Annarie Seecharan. She had called to report Nathan Fong’s expressed dissatisfaction with his Princess Ramada accommodations and his request to be relocated to the Marriott. Day 2: Saturday November 15 Having enjoyed the Marriott’s sumptuous buffet breakfast, which to Tony’s delight surprisingly included curry chicken and roti, the Marriott based trio were soon
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boarding the Norman Sookhoo driven GTA provided transport van for the trip to Ogle airport for their scheduled flight to Kaieteur Falls. Already present in the van was a most sullen Nathan Fong, complaining bitterly about the countless perceived inadequacies of his Ramada Princess accommodations and again insisting that he be relocated to the Marriott. This despite Tony having patiently explained that the rooms had been assigned based on the provisions that had been received by the participating sponsor hotels, the Princess Casino Ramada and the Marriott. The brief drive to Ogle was followed by their boarding of the Air Services Limited twin-engine aircraft that would take them to Kaieteur. The ensuing flight which lasted approximately ninety minutes was enjoyable in its proffered aerial views of the Georgetown city landscape, the coastlines of the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers, the latter mighty waterway dotted by some of its reported 365 islands and finally the mighty Kaieteur itself. To the Group’s disappointment other than her announced safety measures the pilot never said an actual word during the flight and noticeably failed to point out any of the landmarks that were visible. Kaieteur itself was a wonderful experience and the hours spent simply enjoying its awesome splendor were truly memorable. The Amerindian guided trek to and from the falls was also both interesting and enjoyable. All of the group’s members were duly impressed by their young guide’s demonstrated knowledge of the surrounding flora and fauna. During the trek back from the falls to the Kaieteur National Park Lodge there were off track sightings of a few of Guyana’s famous orange plumed Cock-of-the-Rock birds. An uneventful flight back to Ogle was followed by pick up at the airport and transportation back to the Marriott, during which Tony was informed by the GTA hosts, via telephone, that arrangements had been made for Nathan to be transferred to the Marriott as per his incessant requests, later that evening. Syed and Tony spent the rest of the evening dining at the New Thriving Restaurant in the company of one of the former’s longstanding Guyana based friends, while Sherry was also out and about with her relatives.
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FAM Tour Diary Day 3: Sunday, November 19 Day three of the FAM Tour began with an early morning 6:30 am rushed breakfast at the Marriott by all four of the Fam Tour Group members. Nathan Fong having successfully been granted his much-desired transfer from the Princess Casino Ramada, compliments of the hard work of the GTA’s Annarie Seecharan and Carla James-Chandra in addition to the outstanding generosity of the Marriott’s Director of Sales Davie Sukdeo. This was followed by the Group’s departure via GTA provided van transportation for the drive across the Demerara River floating bridge to Vreed-En-Hoop and eventually to Parika. This was the first leg of the Group’s scheduled Essequibo River Tour that was being hosted by the GTA and conducted by the Parika based Old Fort Tours. Accompanying the Group was Hadoc Thompson, GTA’s Product Development Officer, while Corwin Ward was the day’s Driver. At the speedboat loading point, a few miles distance from Parika’s market stelling, the Group was met by Sean their very expressive Old Fort Tours Guide for the day. Having boarded the sizeable speedboat they set off for the Fort Island first stop on the Essequibo River tour. Encountered engine problems with the boat forced an initial attempted return to Parika, before it was decided to proceed to Fort Island where the boat would be replaced. On Fort Island the FAM Tour Group, along with other members of the Tour party which had grown in size to 15 individuals including the boat pilot and Tour Guide, spent close to an hour exploring the island’s fort ruins as well as its ultra impressive heritage museum. Having successfully switched boats the touring party then proceeded to the Saxacali island beach for a brief viewing stop, during which no one accepted the Guide’s offer to disembark. From Saxacali it was onto Bartica where the FAM Tour members enjoyed a forty-five minute tour of the town’s main streets and general market. For Tony it was a nostalgic experience for as a kid he had spent many of his childhood summer vacations roaming Bartica’s streets and beach. His Uncle (mother’s brother) Dennis Shaw having served as Bartica’s Deputy District Commissioner for many years during the sixties, Tony even eventually recognized his now departed Uncle’s former house which still stands along Bartica’s beach front. Having left Bartica the Party then made a relatively brief stop at the scenic Baratara Falls before proceeding to the Tour’s final stop, the exotic Aruwai White Sand Resort. Upon arrival at Aruwai they were treated to a delicious lunch of vegetable rice, barbequed chicken and green salad, washed down by some thirst quenching fruit punch. After lunch the Group was taken on a guided tour of the resort including a trek along its white sands beach to the on site mini zoo, which was impressively occupied by a number of animals and reptiles including the famous labba. A relaxing hour at the resort was followed by the hair raising, 150 mph top speed journey across the fearsomely might Essequibo fiver from Aruwai to Parika, a trip which lasted ninety bone jarring minutes and which, as eventually enjoyable as it was, should not be recommended for the faint hearted! Upon arrival at the Parika boarding point, the Group was met by Old Forts Co-Owner Camille Boodhoo who handed out Cadbury chocolates to each of the disembarking passengers. That was her impressively generous way of apologizing for the inconvenience that had been caused by the switching of boats from the initially larger vessel to the much smaller one that was eventually used. Having returned to the Marriott, Syed and Tony’s offsite dinner plans were thwarted by their run in with Johnny Gordon, a Canadian based mutual friend, who immediately invited them both to join him and his friends at the hotel’s third floor Executive lounge. Several bottles of red wine later, the Loungers ventured downstairs to the hotels’ expansive lobby bar where further hookups with additional friends continued well into the evening’s later hours. Day 4: Monday November 13 An early morning Media Debriefing at the Ministry of Business’ offices was followed by an intense networking session with representatives of the Tourism Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), After the networking Session which provided useful contacts, especially for the FAM Tour’s two travel agents Sherry and Syed, there was GTA hosted lunch at the Cara Lodge, which unfortunately was overly delayed in being served. From Cara it was a rushed trip to Ogle Airport to pay a courtesy call on Fly Jamaica’s CEO Roxanne Reece at the airline’s local headquarters. Upon conclusion of the very pleasant courtesy call, three of the Group’s members Sherry, Syed and Nathan were transported back to the hotel while Tony was dropped off at the Georgetown Cricket Club Bourda Pavilion to attend a scheduled meeting with the Club’s Board of Directors. Unfortunately, much to his chagrin the said meeting never occurred and having waited a good three hours only to be disappointed he made his way back to the Marriott. Tony’s profound Bourda disappointment was however almost completely removed by the experienced joy of eventually meeting in person, the Marriott’s newly appointed Director of Sales, the ever charming Davie
Sukdeo. In a much appreciated demonstration of outstanding customer service, Ms Sukdeo, having completed her extended work day and gone home to spend quality time with her kids, nevertheless took the time to return to the hotel at almost 9:00 pm to conduct a guided tour of its facilities for Sherry, Syed and Tony. A gesture of outstanding hospitality that was most gratefully appreciated by all three Canadians. That ended the FAM Tour’s official itinerary on a highly impressive note and as such it was three grateful Toronto based Canadians, accompanied by their seemingly less appreciative Vancouver based co-member, who were up at 3:00 am the following morning for the Fly Jamaica flight back home. Roxanne Reece having arranged for the entire group’s upgrade to business calls that flight was that much more enjoyable than the initial one had been. Having been successfully concluded it is now hoped that the FAM Tour Group members will henceforth share their overly memorable exposure to Guyana’s tourism attractions with as many others as a means of encouraging increased Canadian visitor traffic to the country’s shores.
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Volume 11 • Number 16 • November 29, 2017
Guyana’s Tourism Poised For Takeoff There is a new buzz in the communities of the Guyana diaspora these days; stretching from Guyanese watering holes in Paramaribo, Bridgetown, Philipsburg and St. Johns up north to Atlanta, Richmond Hill, Brooklyn and farther north to Scarborough and east across the Atlantic to south London. The default term is Guyana as a tourism destination, offering an experience little known to many generations of Guyanese migrants who began taking up residency overseas as early as the fifties and sixties.
The old country Many early migrants may be familiar with the efforts of the old GAC to connect coastland dwellers with especially Kaieteur and Orinduik. They may have been conditioned to think that tourism was for others, for our Caribbean neighbours to the north, blessed with white sandy beaches and blue waters, but not for the black water country. That perception of the older migrants may even have been strengthened by the famous quip of President Burnham about the undesirability of Guyana’s becoming ‘a nation of waiters, pimps and sycophants.’ Dr. Jagan himself thought that with the economic trinity of sugar, rice and bauxite being so formidable in the sixties, there was little need or incentive to develop a tourism sector in Guyana.
The jungle strikes back A.J. Seymour expresses it elegantly and prophetically in his poem ‘There runs a dream.’
Then history moved down river, leaving the forest to creep back Foot by quiet foot, and overhang dark waters to the sea While Seymour gracefully captures the historical process whereby the ‘bush’ would subsume the lands cleared for plantations up river, he may not have envisaged the triumphant return and the ascendancy of the forests and green spaces in this climate-sensitive, tree-hugging, eco-oriented 21st century. It is in this milieu that Guyana is proudly proclaiming itself as an ‘Amazon destination’ and ‘South America un-Discovered.’ The jungle has struck back; green speaks, and environmentally aware tourists in Europe and North America are listening, and booking travel. What a previous generation felt ashamed about and kept hidden from the travelling public – dark waters, intriguing wildlife, forest dwellings and remote cultures – are now the currency in the new tourism market. Travel magazines published by the Guyana tourism sector proudly display jungle creatures on the covers. Sighting the jaguar, fearsome creature of the jungle as he is, is bragging rights for the modern visitor to Guyana.
Tourism takeoff As every tourism developer knows, developing a tourism sector is not a matter for romanticism but for careful planning and decision-making. The tourist is free to indulge and chase a dream, but the destination developer needs to offer a solid visitor experience that embraces a good and appealing product that offers pleasing moments in a safe environment. Nothing can be left to chance; what occurs between the arrival hall and the departure lounge has to be an experience of sustained quality that offers good value for money. What is Guyana doing to ensure this takeoff? What are the decisions reached, plans and initiatives elaborated to take tourism to the next level in Guyana?
Norman Sue Bakery Ltd.
Thanks for your loyal and much appreciated continuing support.
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Tourism Organisation Three main entities bear responsibility for driving the march of tourism in Guyana. These are the Department of Tourism in the Ministry of Business, which has the mandate for Policy and Strategic direction. The Department is headed by a Director General who reports to the Minister of Business. The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) is the semi-autonomous body that discharges the mandate for marketing, product development, research and data collection. That body is located in Sophia and is governed by a Board of Directors. Currently the GTA is being re-structured to enable the body to fulfil the objective of attracting 500,000 arrivals to Guyana by 2025. The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana is the umbrella private sector body for the tourism industry. It comprises the owners and providers of tourism properties and services and seeks to advance the interests of that constituency. Several Administrative Regions have also formed, or have intentions to form, Regional Tourism Associations. The aim of these entities would be to plan for tourism development within each region.
Marketing the destination This is principally the responsibility of the Guyana Tourism Authority. While the sums allocated for marketing of Destination Guyana have increased substantially over the years, the increasingly competitive nature of tourism in Guyana makes those sums appear inadequate to the marketing challenges, forcing the authorities to devise innovative and more cost-effective methods of reaching the appropriate markets. Our essential strategies for marketing include: Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Ÿ Ÿ
Attendance at relevant international trade fairs (including international bird fairs) Road shows in key markets to stimulate business to business contacts Advertisements in selected local and international publications Increase in digital marketing Distribution of collateral material at local and foreign events and through overseas missions and other diasporic entities Production and support for the production of videos that highlight the tourism product Support for filming ventures likely to place Guyana’s attractions before a large international viewership
Those are the principal strategies being employed to market Destination Guyana.
Developing the product Recognising that Guyana’s tourism product has certain comparative advantages, efforts are being made to ensure that the strengths of that product are developed to a quality level. Special areas of emphasis will include the following: Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
Community-based tourism that strengthens hinterland village economies A new national register of tourism hotspots across the 10 Administrative regions of Guyana A calendar of cultural and heritage events aimed at boosting diasporic and other travel to communities, towns and village locations in Guyana Birding and wildlife itineraries that would be of special interest to those enthusiasts An annual calendar of Sports Tourism events capable of attracting increasing numbers of sporting travelers Elaboration of a Plan of Action to develop and manage Sports Fishing in Guyana
Managing the Destination With marketing and product development initiatives in place, some Destination management strategies become important. Principal among these are the following:
Providing attractive incentives for persons wishing to invest in tourism Ÿ Strengthening the tourism security apparatus so as to provide adequate security and safety for visitors Ÿ Reviewing border entry arrangements to reduce arrivals related hassle for visitors Ÿ Supporting the establishment of institutions that will provide relevant hospitality training for persons employed in the sector. Ÿ
Conclusion In 2016 Guyana recorded the highest volume of visitor arrivals since records were being kept. The aim of the Ministry of Business is that by 2025 Guyana must be welcoming half a million arrivals. Authorities are targeting both diasporic and non-diasporic visitors to Guyana. The firm belief of the Ministry is that the medium of the diaspora can be a strategic hook for attracting non-diasporic visitors, due to the relationships and networks established by diasporic residents in their new place of residence. Diasporic Guyanese are in a unique selling position to interest other nationalities in visiting and exploring the home that still has a special place in their hearts. Donald Sinclair Director General Department of Tourism Ministry of Business
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Volume 11 • Number 16 • November 29, 2017
Guyana Consulate Hosts GCTC Official Launch Reception Department of Tourism DirectorGeneral, Donald Sinclair, through whose initiative the Guyanese-Canadian To u r i s m C o u n c i l ( G C T C ) w a s established, was among the persons on hand to witness its official November 16 launching. The launch, which took place at the Guyana Consulate in Toronto, also coincided with the official opening of the consulate’s spanking new location, situated in the same building it has been occupying for several years but now on the seventh floor, a move from the second floor. Formation of the GCTC was one of the main decisions emanating from the Diaspora Business and Tourism Forum, held at the JC Banquet Hall, Scarborough, Toronto, Canada, last May, with Sinclair urging participants to accelerate its implementation. In his address, Sinclair had said he was eagerly looking forward to the formation of the body and that those chosen should also be tasked with initiating further discussions on fam trips to Guyana, another area which those present felt should be pursued. Reflecting on what has taken place since the GCTC was established, Sinclair lauded the efforts of the body, pointing out
that its existence could have far-reaching effects on thousands of Guyanese in the diaspora. According to the director-general, “it is one of the most significant initiatives to have occurred as far as diaspora tourism is concerned”. The nine-member council was formed in June and last weekend, three members including Chairman, Syed Rayman, made a fam tour to Guyana. He pointed out that the mission is to further promote Guyana as an attractive tourism destination while the purpose and objectives are to plan, promote and provide educational programmes and activities; to engage the community in promoting togetherness and respect for each other; to develop community knowledge of Guyana’s eco-tourism and to generate funds for the implementation of the council’s objectives. Apart from the recent fam tour, other standard strategic initiatives include the launching of a website, launching of a monthly newsletter, Guyana Independence tour in May 2018 and Centennial College Guyana Hospitality tour in June 2018. Other members of the council a r e v i c e - c h a i r Ly n d s a y Davidson, Teddy Boyce, Tony McWatt, Professor Mohammed Khan, Cyril Bryan, Stanton Carter, Regina Cheong and Angela Thomas.
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Buying A House On A Single Income Changes to the age for Dependent Children – effective October 24th, 2017 That first monthly mortgage payment can be startling for younger homeowners unaccustomed to such a big bill. As single home buyers rely on one source of income to pay the lender, it’s a good idea to take out some protection.
On October 24th, 2017 the age for dependent children was changed from under 19 to 22 years of age or under and they do not have a spouse or partner. If a child is over 22 years of age and they are financially dependent on their parents due to a physical or mental condition, then they would also be considered a dependent child. From August 1, 2014 to October 23, 2017, a dependent child was defined as a child 19 years of age or under and who did not have a spouse or common-law partner OR a child who is 19 years of age or older but has a physical or mental condition, that makes them dependent on their parent for financial support. Prior to August 1, 2014, a dependent child was defined as a
child 21 years of age and under and not married or in a common-law relationship. If the child was over 22 years old, they should have been enrolled in a tertiary level institution before turning 22 years and be financially dependent on their parents. In order to sponsor your dependent child, the parent does not need to show a minimum income, however the parent should not be on social assistance for reasons other than disability. If the dependent child has a child, then the sponsor would need to meet the income requirements. Please ensure that you check to see if your child meets the age limit requirements before submitting your sponsorship application. Nadine Mahabeer is a weekly guest on “Immigration Mondays” on Nationwide 90FM in Jamaica – Monday mornings at 10am EST – streaming live on the Internet.
At a time when a lot of young adults are postponing marriage, the number of Americans buying a house on a single income is substantial. According to recent statistics as many as 47% of Millennial home buyers last year were unmarried. Because single mortgage applicants rely on one salary and one credit profile in order to secure a loan, getting through the underwriting process can be a bit trickier. However, the more you understand about what the process entails, the better your odds will be of getting a lender to say “yes.” Here are some crucial things that can help. When you apply for a mortgage on your own, lenders will be looking at just one credit profile: yours. Needless to say, it has to be in great shape. It’s always a good idea to review your credit report beforehand, but that’s especially true of solo buyers. You can get a free copy once a year, from all three credit bureaus, at www.annualcreditreport.com. Make sure that it doesn’t contain any mistakes that will make you look like a bigger risk than you really are. If you see any, contact the credit reporting company right away, so it can investigate on your behalf. (For more, see Check Your Credit Report.) You’ll also want to avoid doing anything that could hurt your credit, such as making big credit card purchase right before or after you apply for a home loan. And think twice before canceling any old credit cards. You might think you’re helping your cause, but you’re actually reducing the average age of your accounts and lowering your credit utilization ratio, two things that could hurt your application.
If your employer either doesn’t provide disability insurance or offers a bare-bones plan, you might consider looking into more robust coverage on your own. That way you’ll get help paying your bills should you experience an illness or accident. A specialized product known as mortgage protection life insurance can also help take care of your mortgage payments if you become unable to work. It’s only intended to help with home loan payments (some policies are a big more flexible), so it’s not a comprehensive financial solution. Still, because it typically has a looser underwriting process, it’s an option for those with riskier jobs or poor health, who consequently have trouble finding affordable disability coverage. Having a co-borrower on the loan can sometimes help home buyers clear the underwriting hurdle, especially if you don’t have a long credit history. The lender will look at the co-borrower's income, assets and credit history – not just yours – when assessing the application. While he or she may be doing you a huge favor by joining you on the loan, make sure the coborrower knows the consequences. In the event you have trouble making your loan payments, the bank can go after the co-borrower, too. If you don’t want to worry about that, you should wait until you can qualify for a loan by yourself. Thanks to low-down-payment programs, you need not be well-heeled to get a mortgage on your own. However, it does require having a sparkling credit report and making sure that you have sufficient income protection. Government-insured loans and co-borrowers can also be of help.
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Volume 11 • Number 16 • November 29, 2017
CARIBBEAN KITCHEN
Yam Crusted Fish With Yam Gnocchi In A Yam Butter Sauce This recipe by Ocean Terrace Inn Master Chef Larry Monrose, was actually the Winner of the Live C o o k O f f Ya m Challenge during St Skitts’ 2017 Restaurant Week. Having directly sampled Chef Larry’s ‘sweet hand” we are sure that this will be much of a gastronomical delight as the amazing dishes he served us during our stay at the hotel this past October month end.
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Seamers Will Be Vital Says Estwick Assistant coach Roddy Estwick believes West Indies fast bowlers will have a critical role to play if the Caribbean side are to make an impact in the two-Test series against the Black Caps starting next month. Coming off the recent Zimbabwe tour where spinners were vital because of the slow, turning tracks, Estwick said the conditions in New Zealand provided the opportunity for the Windies attack to show their quality.
Selection Headaches For Windies Ahead Of KIWI First Test MCWATT ON CRICKET
performances had been improving steadily, and this had been in part owed to the outstanding work from the seamers.
“The fast bowlers have gone well for the last year. During that time you would realise we've won a Test match Estwick said it was important for the pace attack to use the outing to in every series so the fast bowlers have f a m i l i a r i s e t h e m s e l v e s w i t h been doing a decent job,” he contended. conditions, ahead of the Test series. “The pitches are completely different “What we have to try and do now is to what we encountered in Zimbabwe look to do even better in this series, so the fast bowlers are going to be very, so all in all it was a very good day.” very important. The thing about it is West Indies arrived on a quest to win to get some miles in their legs, make their first series on New Zealand soil sure they're up and ready to go at New in 22 years. They beat minnows Zealand from ball one.” Zimbabwe, 1-0, in a two-Test series in Bulawayo last month, to win their The first Test gets underway at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on third Test in eight outings this year. December 1. Estwick said the Windies'
KIWI’s Announce First Test Squad Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell is set to make his debut in the first Test against West Indies on December 1. With BJ Watling unavailable due to a hip injury, Blundell will be drafted into New Zealand's XI to play in front of his hometown fans at the Basin Reserve. Pace bowler Lockie Ferguson, too, joined the squad as cover for Tim Southee, who is expecting the birth of his child. Selector Gavin Larsen said Blundell's improvement with the gloves over the past year has earned him a promotion. Less than two weeks ago, he picked up 10 catches in Wellington's victory over Canterbury in the Plunket Shield. New Zealand’s coach Mike Hesson has also lauded Blundell's consistency - both with the gloves and the bat - over the past two seasons in the Plunket Shield, and backed him to chip in with significant
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performances on his Test debut. Hesson further added that even though Blundell carries a relatively reserved demeanour for a wicketkeeper, he is confident the 27-year old's prior acquaintance with the New Zealand players will help him communicate effectively from behind the stumps. Southee, however, is not ruled out of the opening Test, and Larsen said that Ferguson, who picked up 12 wickets despite a thumb fracture earlier this month, was drafted into the squad only as a backup. New Zealand squad Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee (subject to availability), Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, Lockie Ferguson, Tom Blundell (wk
The West Indies will begin their latest Test Series against their New Zealand hosts on December 1 having not defeated the Kiwis on home turf since 1995. It’s been a very long twentytwo years and in this their latest attempt to correct that imbalance, the West Indies will have to fire on all cylinders. The first step in doing so will be to make sure that they field an XI that will give them the very best chance of winning the first Test. In attempting to do so the Windows Selectors will likely experience some headaches in identifying the most suitable and competent personnel, particularly for the numbers 3 and 6 batting positions and also for the third bowler. Kraigg Brathwaite, the Windies #1 Opener, thankfully came into some form, retiring out on 80 in the second innings of the Windies’ solitary warm-up match before the Test. Although he failed in both innings of that match, Kieran Powell will likely retain his position at the top of the order in a somewhat straightforward selection. The # 3 position is however, likely to cause the Windies Tour Selectors some severe headaches. Shimron Hetmeyer who batted in that position in both innings of the warm-up match, failed miserably in both instances, registering scores of 12 and 10. His average in the three Tests he’s played to date stands only at a paltry 16.00, which will hardly provide the Selectors with much confidence. Still he’s an obvious talent so they may still be inclined to gamble on him. Shai Hope and Royston Chase have been the Windies most consistent batsmen within the past two Series and will therefore continue to occupy the numbers four and five positions.
#6 however can be expected to pose even more problems for the Selectors, as the incumbent Jerome Blackwood, with scores of 4 and 0, was an even bigger failure in the warm-up match. His returns in the Tests he’s played of late will also be cause for concern to the Selectors. Stridently knocking on the door in the quest to replace Blackwood is Sunil Ambris, the twenty-four year old Vincentian who very strongly registered his claims for inclusion with an aggressive 153 in the first innings of the warm-up match. Ambris also scored two centuries in the Caribbean Regional four-day competition which earned him his call up to the Squad, as a replacement for the dismally performing Kyle Hope. Common sense would suggest that Blackwood should sit and Ambris should play, but sensible selection hasn’t exactly been standard practice for the West Indies of late. So who knows what the Tour Selectors in their infinite wisdom will decide. Positions seven, eight, ten and eleven will be straight forward choices of Dowrich as the wicket-keeper, Holder as the Captain and third seamer, with Roach and Gabriel as the front-line pacers. The final spot will be a toss up between a fourth seamer, Cummings, Joseph and Reifer as an outside possibility being the available choices, or Bishoo as the spinner. Pitches and conditions in New Zealand tend to favor seam rather than pace, so the expectation is that the Selectors will opt for a four-prong seam attack, with Chase and Brathwaite providing the required spin. The only question to be resolved would then be the identity of the fourth seamer. It will be interesting to see who is chosen, but given their record of late I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the final choice becomes one of the two Bajans, Cummings or Reifer, at the expense of young Joseph.
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