Taxi Drivers Cry Foul Over Tuk-Tuk Promotions, Accuse Tourism Officials of Conflict of Interest

SOURCE REAL NEWS ANTIGUA: ‘Where is the advertising for the taxi associations,’ operator asks, as tuk-tuk operation is branded ‘conflict of interest

Based on an ad promoting Antigua and Barbuda, several taxi drivers are accusing Ministry of Tourism officials of a “conflict of interest.”

The magazine advertisement, which features the Tourism logo, states simply, “be HERE.” However, the image features a tuk-tuk, a vehicle the taxi drivers allege is owned and operated by senior people in the Ministry and the Tourism Authority.

“Now, that’s an issue!” one taxi operator declares, while alleging, “they are getting special treatment.”

Even though Minister Charles “Max” Fernandez reportedly “walked with Ian Joseph to the World Travel Market recently, I don’t see them advertising the taxi associations,” the operator adds. Joseph is the disputed president of one of the taxi associations.

The operator agrees that everybody has to make a living; however, he does not believe the tuk-tuks are safe. “The other day, I passed one on the side of the road, unable to climb the incline going up Cedar Valley Road,” he relates. “It was being pushed up… . Big joke.”

Another taxi and tour operator agrees that competing interests are at war in the industry. He, too, asserts that the tuk-tuks are owned and operated by those in control of tourism, who are “giving away the work that belongs to taxi drivers.”

Accordingly, he believes that promotion of the tuk-tuk as an alternative mode of transportation is to his detriment and that of other vehicle owners, who must try to earn a year’s income in the six months of the tourist season.

He notes that, at present, having a number of ships in port does not necessarily translate to work for the taxi operators.

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