Last Updated on August 1, 2025, 3:05 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Port Zante welcomed thousands of Cruise Passengers to the shores of the island on Tuesday and Thursday giving businesses to several small vendors. The tourists had the opportunity to experience the local cuisine. The port was bursting with activity and business was being conducted with several small scale vendors getting the opportunity to showcase their product.
The tourists who deboarded the ship to try the local delights were extremely satisfied with the food and the experience. However, this positive day was given a negative turn by some local publications who took the experience of a few local vendors to paint the whole day in misery.
The locals were delighted to have had the opportunity to conduct business for the cruise day, which is a rarity in the summer months. However, some vendors’ experience became a massive problem for the publication who attacked the small vendors.
The publication asserted that the small vendors should not be allowed to sell food at port zante, in their attack they had also questioned the government for their lack of preparedness. The people who went around the port trying the local cuisine which is not available in the cruise ships did not have any complaints.
However, the focus of this propaganda publication was completely on the failed and negative experiences of two or three shops. This is not to say that the negative experiences should be kept under wraps but the focus of the day should have also gone into the positives.
The small vendors who were ruthlessly attacked for conducting their business in the country were a large part of handling the crowds of cruise passengers, the success of the cruise day at Port Zante. The sidelining of small businessmen for the political propaganda of the opposition is discouraging the small vendors to conduct business.
Seeing that the summer months of the year are known to be slower and cruise days are free and far. Using these days to put down the small vendors and business owners for making a living out of their talent and local cuisine reflects negatively.
The reports were biased as several vendors did not have a problem with the smaller businesses setting up shop in Port Zante. However, the focus was given to negative experiences, completely disregarding the positives
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
