By Amanda Nieves
The temporarily suspended airline REDjet has provided increased traffic from the Caribbean, one of Barbados’ largest source markets.
This was pointed out by Alvin Jemmott, General Manager Divi Southwinds, and former President of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, during an interview with the media at the reception for long standing visitors to the island at Ilaro Court on Wednesday evening.
From his stand point as a hotelier, Jemmott gave a rundown of the value of REDjet to the tourism market in Barbados.
“The introduction of REDjet started a trend for Barbados where we would have seen additional airlift capacity into the island from the Eastern Caribbean and that obviously would have helped to increase our numbers. Barbados depends on the Caribbean as one of the source markets for Barbados, it is a very important market for us and anything that will help to grow that market will be good for Barbados’ tourism and for our economy,” he stated.
Addressing the question as to whether or not Government should come to the aid of REDjet, Jemmott acknowledged that it was not his place to say, but reiterated the undeniable value of the airline.
“I am not the expert on whether Government should interject into private enterprises or not, what I do believe is market pressure will come to bear and those who can make it through the tough market conditions, will. If Government can see that there is a possibility of saving a private enterprise by interjecting, then by all means, but I am not really the expert on whether Government coffers should be used for a private enterprise,” Jemmott added.
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