Driving tourism in the Eastern Caribbean : the case for a regional Ferry

As an important source of employment and a key economic pillar, tourism plays a significant role in resuming growth in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). This pre-feasibility assessment demonstrated that a regional ferry system could make a positive contribution to tourism competitiveness in the OECS, and that a proper feasibility assessment of a regional ferry is warranted. Demand for regional ferries is not new to the OECS, the region has had a regional ferry system in the past and there are a number of sub-regional or country-level ferry systems that are operational. In addition, there have been initial signs of interest from potential investors for financing a regional ferry. However, a lack of regional coordination as well as significant regulatory, infrastructural, and institutional challenges has affected the fate of many regional ferry proposals from potential investors. This paper serves as a background for a feasibility assessment of a regional ferry, providing evidence and preliminary data on the movement of people, cargo, prices of moving within the region, and existing fleet of ferries. It assesses competitive effects of a regional ferry vis-a-vis the cruise industry and air travel. The study draws interesting lessons from two successful regional ferry systems: the Greek ferry system and the Baltic Sea ferry system. It also provides a clear roadmap of next steps, and the criteria that should be looked at in a follow-up feasibility assessment.