Tourists have nothing to do! Other islands eating our lunch — Fraser

Deputy Premier Julian Fraser has expressed frustration over the lack of engaging activities for tourists arriving in the territory.

During the budget debate in the House of Assembly yesterday, Fraser painted a vivid picture of visitors wandering aimlessly with little to do after disembarking from cruise ships. “When you see some days ago, I went out by the cruise ship… I was amazed at the size of those ships,” Fraser recounted. “Then those people get off the ships… and they’re walking around like wandering Jews. There’s nothing to do, there’s nothing to see”.

The veteran legislator emphasised the urgent need to restore historical sites and create attractions that align with the expectations of tourists who read about the territory’s history before arriving. He suggested restoring iconic sites, such as the historic Thornton House, which he said could become a major draw with proper planning and investment. “It’s not just the structure itself, but the area where it sits can be amalgamated with the structure to form a real tourism attraction,” he said, urging the government to invest in restoration efforts.