CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (July 16, 2010) — Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in the Nevis Tourism Authority Mr. John Hanley disclosed that small and medium enterprises will have the opportunity to partake in the tourism pie during his tenure in office.

The new CEO, the first Nevisian to be appointed to that position told the Department of Information in an interview on Wednesday, that the tourism pie should be shared not just among the larger players in the tourism industry on Nevis but by everyone.

He also discussed immediate and long term plans in relation to the Authority’s marketing.

“Four Seasons will be opened on the 15^th of December and on the same day American Eagle will resume its flights. That is absolutely great news and that means we will have a lot more air lift and greater connectivity to the island and that’s a tremendous boost. At the Tourism Authority we plan to begin our marketing efforts, we plan to upgrade our marketing efforts so that we can be ready in time to take full advantage of these two developments.

“After December 15^th we plan to continue intensifying our marketing efforts. We want to get out the word that not because Four Seasons has been closed that Nevis is closed,” he said and added that tourism was doing quite well on Nevis and the Authority planned to develop that.

According to Mr. Hanley, The Authority also planned a tourism consultation which would provide feedback and ideas from stakeholders. He said the information gathered would be of benefit in the development of a strategic plan that would allow the benefits to tourism on Nevis to trickle down to everyone.

With regard to the tourism outlook for Nevis Mr. Hanley said these were tough financial times but the future did not appear bleak.

“At this point in time things are a little bit difficult financially but I think that when the Four Seasons reopens things are going to get a lot better. So once I have the financial support and the Administrative support I think we are going to move ahead in leaps and bounds in tourism in Nevis,” he said.

Notwithstanding, in response to his July 1^st appointment to the executive position in the island’s key tourism promotion entity Mr. Hanley told the Department that he was excited about the appointment which brought with it an opportunity to effect positive change.

“I am also very proud to be the first Nevisian and when our local persons can assume these roles and make a positive impact on the tourism landscape of Nevis then that is something really to look forward to. All I can say is that I am going to give it my best shot and I am going to give it my best,” he said.

Meantime, Advisor to Tourism in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) Mr. Alistair Yearwood had much confidence in the new CEO

“I have to congratulate and welcome Mr. John Hanley, as of July 1^st he has taken up the position of CEO of the Nevis Tourism Authority, a very important position in the whole tourism outlook of Nevis.

“He is the first Nevisian National to hold the post and I think that is appropriate and congratulations Mr. Hanley and welcome to the frontier of tourism on Nevis. I am sure it will be a very successful sojourn for you,” he said.