|
Today the yacht services business and tourist day-chartering business provides a lot of jobs, there are numerous boutiques and supermarkets, bars and restaurants, internet cafes and a dive operator.
There are several hotels on Union Island, as well as schools, churches and a small health clinic.
The official currency is Eastern Caribbean (EC), though U.S. dollars and Euros are widely accepted.
Telecommunications services are provided by Cable & Wireless which offers landline and wireless services (GSM); Digicel offers competing wireless services - including the network formerly operated by AT&T Wireless/Cingular. High Speed Internet services provided by Cable and Wireless - typical HS data rates of 512 kbit/s down and 128 kbit/s up. The island is connected to the Saint Vincent mainland by a series of digital microwave towers (through connections to neighbouring islands of Canouan and Bequia).
WiFi services in the harbour are offered through HotHotHot Spot, a service offered in Union through Erika's Marine Services, is also offered in Bequia in the Grenadines, as well as Dominica and Antigua (both Falmouth and English Harbours and Jolly Harbour).
A featured watering hole is Happy Island, ask for Janti (Ramage) - Happy Island is a man-made island in the middle of Clifton harbour.
Happy Island sits in the outer harbour of Clifton, Union Island; Palm Island can be seen in the backgroundFerry services operate between Clifton and Saint Vincent, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday on the MS Barracouda and the MS Gemstar. Ferry services also operate bi-weekly between Ashton and Hillsborough, Carriacou (Grenada) on Mondays and Thursdays.
The tourism industry plays an increasing role in Union Island's economy. A large number of yachts visit the island each year, often on their way to the nearby Tobago Cays. There are a number of local guest houses, including St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, the Anchorage Yacht Club and hotel, and a small luxury hotel at Bigsand beach in Richmond Bay.
There is a "cruiser's network" operated by volunteers for the yachting community providing information for visiting boaters; the network operates on VHF channel 68, Monday through Saturday, at 09h00. Information given on the cruiser's net includes: local navigational issues, daily weather reports (including hurricane watch), customs and immigration rules and regulations, cultural activities, commercial announcements and other matters raised by Cruiser's Net participants.
A key feature of the Union Island region is the Tobago Cays National Marine Park. The Tobago Cays are a group of small uninhabited islands surrounded by reefs – snorkelling, scuba diving, swimming with the sea turtles are all favourite pastimes of visitors. Entry to the park (for visitors) costs EC$10/person/day – park fees can be paid in Clifton at the Custom's Offices, the Tobago Cays Marine Park office at the waterfront, or in the park itself from park rangers.
Looking out at Belmont Bay from the Big Sand HotelThe Union Island Sailing Club sponsors two sailing dinghies that participate in local regattae – the Club is trying to help Unionites rediscover the sailing skills of earlier generations. The two boats, Unity One and Unity Two are frequent winners of regional sailing events.
|
