The island’s cleanliness ratings among air arrivals (see Thursday newspaper) are worrisome. According to figures from the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), these dropped from 3.80 in 2024 to 3.66 in 2025 and 3.52 this year, on a scale of 1 (“very poor”) to 5 (“excellent”).
The destination depends on travellers, making what they think very relevant. If it is increasingly perceived as untidy or even dirty, there could be negative consequences for the tourism economy, aside from detrimental effects on the environment, nature, hygiene and even public health.
The only possible good news is that the trend may at least partially be the result of greater awareness. A growing number of people have come to realise the importance of cleanliness and note a lack of such including when on vacation abroad.
Interestingly, the rating by cruise passengers fluctuated between 4.00 in 2024, 4.23 in 2025 and 4.17 in 2026. Since many of them take tours, this might indicate that whoever was responsible for roadside cleaning along major routes last year did a better job.
Speaking of which, waste management was among issues cited in a motion of disapproval for Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Patrice Gumbs adopted by a 9 to 6 majority in Parliament at the end of the 2026 budget debate. It pointed to the deteriorating state of cleanliness and continued concerns about garbage collection.
The recently initiated car wreck tagging and removal process in Cole Bay was certainly a step in the right direction. Making residents, starting with youngsters, more conscious of the need to pick up after themselves and stop littering obviously plays a role too.
Also required is enhanced contracting for garbage hauling and district cleaning. Above all, there should be stricter enforcement of applicable rules and regulations.
