There are more calls for Tourism Minister Asot Michael to go over what many see as his failure to boost the country’s tourism numbers.
The Democratic National Alliance (DNA) has joined in criticizing Michael’s performance.
The DNA has expressed the view that the Government and the Minister of Tourism have done nothing to diversify the tourism product. Michael, the party said, has failed badly.
Communications Officer Malaka Parker told Antigua News Room (ANR) the figures for June are especially concerning.
Parker said the minister appears to have fallen asleep on the job.
“We were on record at least a month ago calling for the resignation of the tourism minister; and even if we look at the way the entire Sandals saga was handled, we think that the minister is asleep on the job.
“And certainly his track record thus far cannot be deemed acceptable by the people of this country,” Parker said.
Parker, who has worked in the cruise sector, said Heritage Quay – a duty free shopping plaza – is looking like a ghost town.
She added that many merchants, traders, taxi men and others in the tourism sector have opined that “they are not feeling any movement in that sector at all.”
