Contributing writer Dickson Igwe
There is no escaping the influences of globalization on Virgin Islands politics, commerce, and community.
Now, your wannabe Admiral Horatio Nelson was recently invited to be ‘honorary co skipper’ for the day on board a yacht owned by a delightful, brilliant, and extremely well traveled Canadian couple. Paul and Joanne Strome own a yacht moored at Nanny Cay, and for a sum that would pay the annual mortgage of many a home, they berth their vessel in the British Virgin Islands.
‘’PAS DU FAKE’’ is a 1979, 35 foot Columbia sailboat that is sloop rigged. She displaces about 11 tons, and is powered by a 28 horsepower Volvo – Penta diesel engine. This Skipper for a day was instructed on various aspects of sailing much too intricate to describe in a short story. However, this wannabe seaman, with his son, had the time of their lives. How awesome is the archipelago named the Virgin Islands. It is indeed a sailor’s paradise.
Your Seafarer had the opportunity to sail to Norman Island from Nanny Cay one Saturday morning in XANADU. Four human beings spent a wonderful day at Norman Island bobbing about a very pretty Bay with a spectacular vista of these Virgin Antilles. This was a majestic morning; and swimming in the warm waters while observing the pristine geography and peaceful tranquility under and above the sea was deeply refreshing: reinvigorating. ‘PAS DU FAKE’ is a quintessential and classic family type yacht.
Master Seaman Strome stated that Virgin Islands waters were the best for sailing and related activities he knew. This coming from a veteran yachtsman, and seasoned mariner, a veritable explorer who has dipped his feet in some of the best sailing waters on Earth, was indeed a revelation for this Chronic Observer.
Sailing on a brilliant Saturday morning, with the trade winds at perfect pitch, sails filled, the solid and powerful breezes, combined with a favourable sea current, propelling a classic boat towards Norman Island. It suddenly struck both Swashbucklers like a shot in the arm this thought: ‘If the Virgin Islands possess such a world class product in its sailing environment, why is there not a concerted effort to get more Virgin Islanders involved with the sailing and marine industry in all of its varied parameters?’
Paul Strome. Photo courtesy arts.uwaterloo.ca
A marine, sailing, and shipping College for example, linked to the best institutes of the type in the world, could provide courses in all aspects of sailing, boating, and marine geography and biology. Virgin Islanders could rediscover the lost art of boat making, then add to that, lucrative technical skills and knowledge. This would be a new marine centered learning and nautical curriculum composed of various subjects, from marine electronics and nautical engineering, to yacht design and manufacture, add yacht maintenance, and management. Master Strome asserted that the Virgin Islands were a natural laboratory for a state of the art, and world class marine institute.
Strome, is a retired Canadian special education and child leisure specialist, and worked for years in the North Pole building an educational curriculum and learning prototype for the indigenous populations. The Adventurer and Yachtsman further stated that the Virgin Islands could gain precious knowledge of environmental sciences, in the upkeep of coral, reefs, and sea life.
A school of scuba diving could see many locals armed with new and vital skills in underwater exploration and survivability, and that could mean jobs not just in the leisure diving industry, but underwater cable lay and maintenance; underwater construction and welding, and so on and so forth. One venue thought of for a ‘’College of the Oceans’’ was Prospect Reef.
OK. Enough said on this aspect of tourism commerce: the unique Virgin Islands sailing geography and industry as critical pillar of tourism economics. In any event, returning to that controversial topic of AIR ACCESS into the territory, Strome was in full agreement with this TEST PILOT.
A truly international airline facility would boost the charter yacht industry, and enable yachters from all over the world to fly directly into Beef Island via jet charter. And that would benefit the overall health of the national economy through an increase in the quantity and flow of cash in the local economy, add increased revenues for yachting businesses, marinas and moorings. More yachters flying directly into the Virgin Islands could also mean an expansion in the yachting industry, and that would provide greater employment opportunities in the country for those who want to work.
The global jet charter industry is a growing one, and would complement the various leisure type facilities in the BVI such as the yachting, hotel, villa, and resort business, by flying in guests from specific destinations from all four corners of the globe. All it takes is imaginative management, collaboration, and digital technology. Yes, the world is truly a global village these days. And this is another aspect of the airport debate that has not been fully assessed or charted by the anti airport crowd.
Finally, there has been much lamentation on the BVI shopping High Street in recent weeks. One commercial Big Wig even stated very publicly that the country was losing as much as $50 million in cash outflows to St. Thomas annually. One would determine that when Puerto Rico and the US mainland are factored into the equation, the figure could well be in excess of $100 million.
But one might also add, that in a world driven by international trade, are there not equal, if not greater cash inflows into the local economy from the global traveler, investor, and tourist? In any case, are these local businesses globally competitive? That is the only Math that matters these days. Are these retailers able to provide a product or service comparable with that found on any High Street in any global city? The answer is a most definite yes.
Luxury yacht. Photo courtesy fubiz.net
And this local consumer can testify to that assertion. Just before Christmas Day, he decided to be patriotic. He ambled into a well known retailer and pharmacy by the Round a Bout in Road Town to dispense with his hard earned cash. As your Quintessential Bargain Hunter stood on the shop floor and looked around he was delighted. This business had it right. The merchandizing was exceptional: excellent. The staff was very friendly, professional, and helpful.
But the highlight of this shopper’s odyssey was the mix of products available. They were of very high quality, impeccably displayed, focused on the discerning customer, and most importantly, of similar value with any retailer in St. Thomas, and the US mainland. This speaks of a retailer who is at the top of her game: thoughtful, demanding, and unrelenting in the provision of a quality product and service, at great value.
A Modus Vivendi of providing a pleasant shopping experience to her business’s customers that is world class. Bear in mind, there are a number of these globally competitive affairs in the BVI. One example is a toy store cum stationers at Pasea, where the choices are as good as any other on Earth. These retailers all possess a common denominator. They are businesses that would be competitive anywhere in the world.
The Virgin Island’s Consumer is no different from any other. He or she is a global customer with access to internet shopping, fast travel, and the discount shopping offered at the WAL Marts and HOME DEPOTS, the local retailer equally utilizes for his or her stocks. This is not going to change. The local consumer like consumers everywhere is a selfish beast. He or she is concerned with his or her bottom line. And that spells two words, or three depending: VALUE FOR MONEY.
Offer that combination, and then some, and the local retailer will get the BVI consumer and customer’s hard earned cash. An effective retailer who offers great value will prosper, whether their business is a shoe store on the Main Street of Road Town, British Virgin Islands; or an electrical superstore in distant TIMBUKTU. It is the same the world over.
Globalization is creating a homogeneous shop floor, with value for money at the top of the shopper’s requirements. Customers, no matter where they come from, expect the best products and services, at optimum prices, wherever they may live and shop.
In retailing, as with anywhere else, either you get with the global programme or sink. Period!
Dickson Igwe is an education official in the Virgin Islands. He is also a national sea safety instructor. He writes a national column across media and has authored a story book on the Caribbean: 'The Adventures of a West Indian Villager'. Dickson is focused on economics articles, and he believes economics holds the answer to the full economic and social development of the Caribbean. He is of both West African and Caribbean heritage. Dickson is married with one son.
