BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, JULY 8TH 2008 (CUOPM) – The tourism industry is set for an unparalleled period of growth.

That’s according to St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of State for Tourism, Sen. the Hon. Richard “Ricky” Skerrit.

In an exclusive insight for TravelMole - - the online community for the travel and tourism industry – Minister Skerrit detailed the strategy of ‘synching’ - a move away from the previously dominant sugar trade to a sustainable, responsible tourism industry aligned with a more diverse agricultural policy.

“All the developments currently planned for the island such as Kittitian Hill, Silver Reef and the massive Peninsula plan are all strands in an overall strategy of ensuring luxury, low impact products across the islands,” he said.

“These will help create local jobs, wealth and career paths for many of our citizens.”

Minister Skerritt went further when he said: “All of the developments have as their highest priority low environmental impact and they are all subject to the most rigorous of planning standards. Coupled with this we believe they will all benefit by a resurgent agricultural industry which will allow us to increasingly supply local food and drink.”

St. Kitts is poised to enjoy the predicted growth in ‘authentic’ Caribbean experiences that many of smaller Caribbean islands are concentrating on including wildlife, heritage, culture, sport and of course music.

Friday night ‘liming’ in the newly developed ‘strip’ in Frigate Bay is typical of this new strategy at work.

Here there are several bars all serving local food and beer and virtually all with a different flavour of live music most nights of the week.

This type of expansion coupled with the well established culture and heritage sites such as the Brimstone Hill Military Fortress, the scenic cane train, top class scuba diving, not to mention events such as International Cricket and Music, make for a destination looking forward with confidence.

Skerrit summarised by saying: “I am confident that all the pieces of the jigsaw are slowing coming together.

“We are on the verge of creating a tourism product that will be the envy of the world and one that people will be happy to travel too whatever the route, distance or cost.”