Montserrat in 2020 - Government of Montserrat

Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s future

Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s futureSalem’s “Phoenix” Amphitheatreopened in 2013.The first annual Salem Afro-Caribbean Beneficiary Concertwas opened by Johnny Clegg andbrought crowds from the region,Africa, the UK, Canada and theUSA, including many diasporaMontserratians.Proceeds go to the generation ofSalem, as well as providing forunder-privileged children andneedy persons across the island.

Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s futureOther regular music events include“Domeserrat” (reflecting the domedarchitecture of the venue), whichcelebrates the close cultural ties thathave evolved between Montserratand the Dominican Republic.Another favourite is the “Cuba-Cabana” street music festival thatbrings well known bands to performin the streets of Salem

Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s futureThe UWI Open Campusnow shares its facilitieswith a premier USAMedical School

Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s futureThe UWI Open Campus is also hometo Montserrat’s School of PublicPolicy and Management, (MSPPM)the premier school for civil servicetraining in the region.The school benefits from a visitingfaculty from the renowned School ofOriental & African Studies (Universityof London), many of whom have nowmade their home in Montserrat

Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s futureThanks to the high-speed fibre-opticlinks, installed in late-2012, MSPPMis at the forefront of interactivevideo-lecturing.This also benefits the medical school

Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s futureThe water and fruit-juice processingplant, near Duck Pond, opened in2014.In addition to Montserratian springwater,a range of high-quality fruitjuices are now exported to the USA,Canada and Europe

Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s futureThe Montserrat company Emerald Spahas expanded its original business ofnatural nutrient-rich volcanic clayproducts to include facial and bodywashes and other skincare products.These are sold via a boutique inLittle Bay and internationally

Home to many of the island’s ICTand financial services businesspeople, Palm Loop, Woodlandsand Olveston now boast some ofthe premier residential propertiesin the region.Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s future

Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s futureGovernment has permitted a limitednumber of well-managed luxuryeco-lodges to be developed on theedges of the Centre Hills.In addition to providing a bufferzone at the edge of the forestreserve, a special “eco-levy”provides funding for protectingMontserrat’s unique flora and faunaand for maintaining forest trails

Modelled on the “Las Terrenas”property on the DominicanRepublic’s Samana Peninsula, arange of exclusive guesthousesexist throughout Montserrat’s westcoastMontserrat in 2020A view of the island’s future

Providence Estate, where Sir PaulMcCartney and his family stayedin the 1980s, was bought in 2012.A recording studio was built andthis has put Montserrat “back onthe map” as a terrific place toproduce new musicMontserrat in 2020A view of the island’s future

Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s futureThe island has developed itsfacilities for sports tourism.The 9-hole, 18-tee golf course isneighboured by 3- and 4-bedroomserviced villas that cater to familiesor golfing groups.A central clubhouse includesmeeting rooms and conference /function facilities

Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s futureThe serviced villas also provideaccommodation for those attendingthe residential tennis coachingcourses and for VIPs visiting thevarious sports eventsThe facilities also include arestaurant serving local, regionaland international dishes preparedby award-winning chefs

Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s futureThe upgraded airport building nowaccommodates air traffic control,increased passenger-handling andbaggage facilities, a restaurant andCIP/VIP lounge.Opposite the terminal building is asmall mall with shops on the groundfloor and rented office space above

Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s futureThe new marina at Carr’s Bay wasopened in 2016.The marina provides a “safe haven”for local fishermen as well asvisiting yachts. The RoyalMontserrat Yacht Club is basedhere, which has attracted manyinternational visitors, some of whomhave purchased luxury villas aroundthe marina with private moorings

The fish farm at Piper’s Pond wasestablished in 2015 and hasdeveloped a reputation for thespecialist seafood dishes served atrestaurants sited around theperimeter of Piper’s Pond.Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s future

Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s futureThe hotel on Potato Hill opened in2016 and attracts guests who seekthe tranquillity of Montserrat.The hotel has already developed aninternational reputation for itsunique cocktail (the recipe is aclosely guarded secret), sippedslowly by the infinity pool at sunset

The Central Boulevard in Little Bayis a “must-see, must-do” shoppingparadise, with designer boutiques –a favourite with cruise ship andyachting visitors, as well asinternational guests who visit duringMontserrat’s many music festivalsMontserrat in 2020A view of the island’s future

Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s futureMontserrat’s own “Panorama” steelband festival was first held in 2013.Since then it has grown to rival thefamous Trinidad festival, butattracts a following of its own.Bands from each community acrossthe island take it in turns to greetvisitors disembarking from cruiseships adjacent to Harbour Village

Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s futureBetween 2015 and 2019 a newcommunity has been established inLittle Bay, comprising individuallydesignedhomes with single-themestyling.Little Bay links to the airport via anew road through DrummondsThe white sands for the beach wereimported in 2014 during the finalstages of developing the waterfront

Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s futureThe eco-style boutique hotel on thehill above Rendezvous Baycompletes the 3-Bay Concept thatjoins with Little Bay and Carr’s Bayinto a single “Montserratian holidayexperience”.The public beach is occasionallyclosed for holding exclusive all-daychampagne beach parties forvisiting cruise ship guests

Public paths pass through the ecohotelabove Rendezvous Bayproviding a continuous walk fromBrades, down through Carr’s Bay,along to Piper’s Pond, aroundPotato Hill, along the Little Baywaterfront, up over Rendezvous Bayand onwards to Silver HillsMontserrat in 2020A view of the island’s future

Montserrat in 2020A view of the island’s futureSUMMARY