Yachting Policy and Plans

POLICY AND POTENTIAL

St Kitts and Nevis Governments adopted a yachting Policy 2014.

This policy is broadly endorsed by SKNSA. However key elements of this strategy have been overtaken by events and the planned 5 year review is now overdue and much needed. SKNSA commits to playing a full role in that review.

The Policy Plan committed the Federal Governments to ‘the development of a world class and sustainable yachting sector, which contributes to strengthening our economy and improving the quality of life for the local community, while providing a memorable experience for visitors’ and the NIA to developing ‘a varied, high quality yachting product and related services sector, capable of delivering a superior and sustainable yachting experience to all yachtspersons visiting our shores. A sustainable approach to the yachting industry is in keeping with our destination brand “Nevis Naturally” and reflects the heightened environmental consciousness of Nevis, the protection of our coastal areas and reefs, strong social sensibilities and our intention to ensure the harmonious co-existence of the yachting sector with our local fishing and sea faring communities’. 

The Economic Benefits of Yachting – What SKN is missing

We know from ECCB research that the yachtsperson is a high-spend tourist and that the revenues generated by yachting exceed those of the cruise tourism. The location of St Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean island chain, which is the world’s second most popular cruising ground for yachts, and more particularly its strategic location in the Eastern Caribbean, which is a hub for yachting in the region, boasting some of the more mature and sought after yachting destinations in the region, represents an opportunity that must be seized and leveraged. 

Throughout the Caribbean earnings and employment generation from yachting are significant, particularly in those countries that have developed policies to attract yachting tourism. BVI pre pandemic had foreign exchange earnings from yachting of $100mUSD p.a. Trinidad and Tobago, $23m and 1200 jobs. Grenada $49m and 1000 jobs.

St Kitts and Nevis sits well behind these and other Caribbean nations despite its favourable location and amenities. The vast majority of large yachts visiting the Caribbean region spend most of their time in the island chain of Anguilla, St. Maarten, St. Barths and Antigua, on what is known as “the milk run.” St. Kitts and Nevis is within a 55 nautical miles (NM) range of these islands and is therefore perfectly placed to attract this yachting traffic. 

The visits of yachts and the development of a yachting subsector in Nevis has been severely constrained by the dearth of suitable ports and mooring facilities. Nevis does not have natural harbours. Oualie Beach is the most sheltered bay on the island and yachts primarily anchor or moor off Pinneys Beach which is on the sheltered leeward coast of Nevis. 

St Kitts boasts a number of natural bays and harbours which are relatively conducive to good mooring. 

An Agenda for Attracting and Developing Yachting Tourism in SKN

Most of the proposals we list here have been endorsed by SKN Governments as part of their Yachting Policy.

• We need better dialogue and cooperation between St Kitts and Nevis on the development of the sector and the establishment of mechanisms for joint administration and operation.

• We need to promote the development of facilities and support services and the retention, perpetuation and fostering of the skill base that exists on the islands.

• We need better dissemination of information on customs and immigration procedures and processing at ports of entry and better coordination between Customs, Immigration and Port staff open for longer hours in the day. In particular we need forms to be on line and for entry / exit to be better coordinated between ST Kitts and Nevis.

• We need better collection of data to understand better the dynamics of the industry on the islands

• We have an inadequate number of marinas, berths, slips, mooring buoys, jetties and tender docking facilities – we need a coordinated program to provide these on both islands and attract private sector investment.

• We need better maintenance of existing berths, slips and buoys

• We need up to date marine and coastal legislation for environmental protection

• We need increased provision of fuel docks

• We need harmonization issues with immigration/customs procedures and regulations of neighbouring French and Dutch territories and with SKN.

• We need an active and funded policy to promote tourism in Yachting across both islands, including the holding of a SKN Sailing week.

• We need to simplify and consolidate the taxes, duties and fees earned from yachts entering the country’s ports, marinas and harbours

• We need to strengthen the appropriate institutions and systems so that St. Kitts and Nevis becomes a leading international ship registry, committed to providing the highest quality ship registration services for all classes of vessels including commercial vessels and yachts.

SKNSA stands ready to help Governments address all these issues and play our full part in realising the vision set for Yachting in St Kitts and Nevis.