As the official destination marketing organisation for the island, the St Kitts Tourism Authority (SKTA) consists of a team of dynamic professionals with a wealth of knowledge to assist individuals and travel industry partners in planning an unforgettable trip filled with memories to last a lifetime.
Honourable Marsha T. Henderson, Minister of Tourism, is a born Kittitian and a proud advocate for the promotion and advancement of her beautiful island. She speaks to us about the unique qualities that make St Kitts a year-round destination and the steps the country is taking to ensure a sustainable future as the Caribbean’s eco-tourism gem.
Q&A WITH HONOURABLE MARSHA T. HENDERSON, MINISTER FOR TOURISM, SKTA
How does SKTA market St Kitts as a year-round destination and an island worth meeting?
Honourable Marsha T. Henderson, Minister of Tourism (HMTH): St Kitts beckons visitors with its year-round allure, providing abundant cultural experiences, adventurous pursuits, wellness opportunities, and culinary delights. With this, we ensure there are exciting events and happenings on the island year-round, especially during the non-peak season for the Caribbean.
To entice travellers to explore St Kitts in its non-peak seasons, we offer a line-up of notable events called the Summer of Fun. The events for this year include the St Kitts Music Festival (22nd – 30th June), Nevis Mango Festival (5th – 7th July), St Kitts and Nevis Restaurant Week (11th – 21st July), Nevis Culturama (15th July – 6th August), and Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 Cricket (21st August – 8th September). The Summer of Fun offers a chance for travellers and locals alike to experience the very best of what makes our island stand out from other Caribbean destinations.
What great strides has SKTA made in strengthening its brand and driving destination visibility and interest?
HMTH: In the past year, our tourism efforts have focused on increasing airlift and cruise arrivals to boost visitation, paired with continued product innovation, including the Kittitian RumMaster programme and our ongoing special events like the Summer of Fun.
Regarding airlift, we are proud of our significant advancements both within the Caribbean, where we are bolstering local ties, as well as on the international stage.
In November 2023, St Kitts and JetBlue hosted an inaugural flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), which is now the first year-round direct route from the New York metropolitan area that offers flight services three times a week.
Ahead of the Summer of Fun, American Airlines has committed to additional airlift during the week of the St Kitts Music Festival. In addition to our existing service, a second flight will operate non-stop from Miami on Wednesday 26th June, Thursday 27th, Sunday 30th, and Monday 1st July.
Our historical airlift summer schedule also includes weekly lifts from Atlanta on Delta Airlines and Newark on United Airlines, as well as two flights a week from Gatwick Airport on British Airways. The American Airlines schedule reflects weekly flights from Charlotte and JFK and a daily service from Miami.
We are thrilled to continue to expand island accessibility through daily flights from St Maarten on Winair and two flights a week from Antigua, Dominica, and Tortola. Additionally, InterCaribbean Airways flies four times a week from Barbados, and Caribbean Airlines flies three times a week from Trinidad and twice from Barbados.
To further promote regional accessibility, the Makana ferry provides laid-back ferry voyages from Sava, Statia, and St Maarten to St Kitts every Monday and Friday.
On the island, our Kittitian RumMaster programme is led by two of St Kitts’ prestigious rum experts and invites travellers to deep dive into the history of rum and distilling. Travellers will gain hands-on experience in creating spiced rum and learn the methodology of creating rum-based Caribbean cocktails. The immersive experience is designed for rum aficionados and visitors wanting to learn more about the spirit’s story in St Kitts.
Can you tell us about the many awards and accolades St Kitts celebrated throughout 2023?
HMTH: We celebrated many accolades throughout 2023, including Caribbean Journal’s prestigious Tourism Minister of the Year award, a placement in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Hot List, Far & Wide’s Reader’s Choice Awards, Travel + Leisure’s Readers’ Choice Awards, AFAR’s Where to Go in 2024, World Travel Awards, and Amex Travel’s Top Destinations of 2024.
SKTA also won a Magellan Gold Award for the Caribbean Eco-Friendly Sustainable Destination category. Most recently, St Kitts was named Green Destination of the Year by Caribbean Journal’s Caribbean Green Awards.
What makes St Kitts a haven for eco-conscious travellers seeking unforgettable experiences in harmony with the environment?
HMTH: Eco-adventures and eco-tourism are major driving forces for our tourism sector. One of the top things to do in St Kitts is trekking and adventuring through the thriving rainforest. While most rainforests on Earth are disappearing, the rainforest in St Kitts is actually expanding thanks to old sugar plantations now being reclaimed by the natural environment. Eco-adventure activities in St Kitts include ziplining through the lush rainforest, hiking up Mount Liamuiga, diving into ancient shipwrecks, and riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) through sugar estate ruins.
In the culinary space, St Kitts is expanding on the trending farm-to-table experiences across the island, as seen with our many farm-to-table and sea-to-plate options, as well as the Liamuiga Natural Farm experience which is a newer addition to our unforgettable eco-tourism offerings.
We also have wonderful properties that eco-conscious travellers would be delighted to stay at. These include Sunset Reef and Belle Mont Sanctuary Resort.
The former is a boutique luxury villa hotel with a commitment to leaving a minimal footprint on the environment that boasts some truly advanced technological management systems.
For example, a state-of-the-art geothermal system transfers energy quickly and efficiently. The pool stores excess energy in the form of heat produced by the resort’s air conditioning, which is then transferred when needed for the hot water in hotel rooms, laundry, and kitchen facilities. Sunset Reef also has an advanced eco-friendly sewage treatment plant.
The 5-star eco-chic Belle Mont Sanctuary Resort is nestled on Mount Liamuiga amongst 400 acres of fertile, organic farmland and lush tropical forest. Alongside the resort, the area has been transformed by authentic culinary experiences with farm-to-table dining and delicious Caribbean-style restaurants. As a working organic farm, the resort is committed to preserving and celebrating the natural beauty that surrounds it.
How will St Kitts remain at the forefront of the sustainable tourism movement in 2024?
HMTH: Woven into the fabric of St Kitts, sustainability is more than just a trend; it’s a deeply ingrained lifestyle embraced by the local population that goes beyond traditional ecological sustainability.
Our government recently brought to parliament a bill to ban single-use plastics, along with a timetable for implementation that will be structured in three phases and affect the importation, sale, and distribution of several items.
Phase 1 involves banning the importation of t-shirt plastic shopping bags as of 31st December 2024. This will be followed by a ban on the sale and distribution of these bags by 31st March 2025.
The second phase involves a ban on importing Styrofoam food containers and plastic straws, effective 30th April 2025. The sale and distribution of the same items will be banned as of 21st July 2025.
Finally, Phase 3 involves banning the importation of single-use plastic cups, plates, and utensils from 31st August 2025, followed by a ban on selling and distributing the same products by 30th November 2025.
We are also planning to convert to LED lights, which are significantly more energy-efficient than traditional options as the government is likely moving away from using more electricity-consuming lighting sources.
Our island boasts a remarkable environmental success story. The Forest Ordinance of 1904 provides lasting protection for the central mountain forests. This, combined with the island’s naturally steep topography, has created ideal conditions for the rainforest to thrive.
As a result, St Kitts’ rainforest continues to expand, reclaiming previously abandoned sugar cane fields. This ongoing process highlights the effectiveness of long-term conservation efforts and the government’s continued commitment to the increased protection of these natural resources.
For travellers that are thinking of visiting St Kitts this year, what differentiates the island from other Caribbean hotspots?
HMTH: Our island offers a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and vibrant culture that sets us apart from other hotspots in the region. One of the most enchanting qualities of St Kitts is undeniably her people. The culture is rich, and our traditions are vibrant; each is a testament to our history and sense of national pride.
We welcome visitors with open arms, so whether you’re exploring local markets, attending a festival or event, or relaxing on the beach, you’ll be greeted with warmth and hospitality.
Additionally, St Kitts is steeped in history as one of the Caribbean’s oldest colonised territories. Visitors can explore historic sites such as Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, which happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and learn about the island’s colonial past through museum visits and guided tours.
What must-see sights, must-do excursions, and must-experience cultural traditions would you recommend?
HMTH: Travellers must visit Romney Manor at Wingfield Estate, which was once owned by Thomas Jefferson’s great-great-great grandfather. Romney Manor at Wingfield Estate was the site of the first permanent plantation settlement in the English Caribbean and is now a sprawling hub and home to Caribelle Batik and Old Road Rum, the oldest intact rum distillery on the island.
While visiting Old Road Rum, visitors can become a Kittitian RumMaster. You’ll get a first-hand look at what it takes to go from sweet sugarcane to smooth spirit, sampling island-specific flavour profiles and trying your hand at small-batch production. You’ll conclude your Kittitian RumMaster experience at Spice Mill on Cockleshell Beach, where you can celebrate with some dedicated beach time and an authentic Kittitian meal.
Travellers should also visit the St Kitts Scenic Railway and experience the three-hour train tour that rolls across steel bridges and winds through small villages, offering a one-of-a-kind experience in exploring the island.
For one of the most beautiful views of St Kitts, stop by Timothy Hill Overlook for a 360-degree view of the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, Friar’s and Frigate Bays, and our sister island of Nevis.
A trip to St Kitts is not complete without visiting one of our many beaches. Cockleshell Beach is well known for its warm waters and golden sands, bordered on all sides by lush hills. Out in the distance, you can even catch a glimpse of Nevis.
Finally, what bold vision is SKTA looking ahead to 2024 with?
HMTH: We look forward to continuing our momentum throughout 2024 and attracting travellers globally. We have been proving our success with our recent increase in airlift, cruises, and various on-island initiatives to increase our sustainability efforts and economic activity.
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