Some things have a habit of repeating themselves. The so-called "Down Street" businesses between L'Escargot and Sea Palace are unhappy again because the tenders taking cruise tourists to Philipsburg still are not consistently using the pier built in that location last year (see Monday paper).

The merchants involved claim that their business increases by 1,000 per cent, or 10-fold, when the area does get a water taxi. They fail to understand why harbour authorities cannot have one out of every four tenders go there as reportedly was promised.

The complainants have a point when they say that US $2 million was spent on the new jetty precisely to "spread the wealth" a bit by creating an alternative landing in addition to the existing ones at Bobby's Marina and Captain Hodge Wharf. That the latter two spots remain more popular is understandable, as they not only were first, but also are closer for passengers who choose to walk to town from the visiting ships, which naturally makes this part of Front and Back Streets, Boardwalk Boulevard and Great Bay Beach busier.

The whole idea was to change that at least somewhat with the third pier, but other than actually sending the boats, it requires creating the necessary conditions on land as well, such as sufficient security and activities to create a livelier atmosphere. This is also where the same storeowners come in, because they too can contribute by, for example, providing some live music to welcome the guests.

All in all, the issue has been dragging on for too long already. The ferries must service the new pier in a fair manner and one out of four does not seem unreasonable.

At the same time, a joint effort is needed to make the area in question more attractive, because it is ultimately the visitor who has to feel comfortable disembarking, wherever that may be.