The government is moving forward with its commitment to carry out much needed improvements to the capital, St. John’s City.
Minister of Tourism, Charles Fernandez, has announced a series of measures that will improve the city’s infrastructure.
One of the country’s main tourist shopping centres, Heritage Quay, will also be refreshed.
Minister Fernandez disclosed that he will walk through the city, accompanied by Minister of Works, Maria Browne, this week to identify the areas in need of work.
“We will be doing a walk-through to see what type of remedial work is needed to our infrastructure, more specifically, our roads, our sidewalks and our gutters. The aim is to see what needs to be done so that we will be at the top of our game when the new cruise season begins later in the year,” he remarked.
The tourism minister revealed that there are ongoing discussions with APUA to install additional lights in the city.
He also noted that when the cruise ship Arvia first arrived on 28th January on its first homeporting call, its captain commended the city’s beauty in the early morning and brilliant lighting.
In addition to the government’s aesthetic improvement of the city, Fernandez announced that Global Port Ltd. will also carry out upgrades of Heritage Quay starting at the end of the current cruise season.
According to the tourism minister, US$2 million has been earmarked for the project which is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2023/24 cruise season.
The improvements form part of Global Ports Ltd’s forty-year contractual agreement to manage the port.
Once completed, the enhancements will improve the look and user experience for those using Heritage Quay, but particularly cruise visitors for whom it is their first point of contact.
