Apr 14 - GSD Says Government Is “Making Up Their Upper Rock Policy As They Go Along”
The GSD has said that it is “incredible” how the Government will “defend a rushed policy” whilst failing to acknowledge the implications of the same.
The GSD now urges Government to disclose full details of the policy to restrict access to the Upper Rock to foreign registered vehicles and explain the consultation process in developing and implementing this policy. The party said that the Tourism Minister confirmed last night that this forms part of the Nature Reserve Management Plan which, the GSD says, according to their manifesto would be rolled out after full consultation with stakeholders.
GSD Tourism spokesman Lawrence Llamas MP said: “We do not have an issue with the principle of the policy itself. It is the handling of the policy and the foreseeable problems arising from the lack of planning that we want to highlight.
“Firstly, Government fail to understand the negative experience inflicted on the average tourist who is unaware of this policy and find themselves having to turn around and make last minute transport arrangements to visit the Upper Rock, otherwise, they would have deployed Tourist Board staff to the land frontier and the Upper Rock to provide tourists with customer service and any necessary information rather than having a security officer by Windmill Hill burdened with this duty.
“Secondly, I would like to trust that Government have taken a holistic approach; however, it is hard to believe when there are no exceptions for tourists with disabilities.
“Finally, the GSD would like to know what plans they have to deal with a taxi service which needs to cater for the city service but will undoubtedly have to expand its rock tour service?
“It certainly is a ‘fabricate as you go along policy’ which was not even been communicated to stakeholders such as hotels!”
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