Travel Tips

Antigua Renames its Highest Mountain in Honor of Obama

Locations in this article:  Chicago, IL

Barack Obama closeupThe Prime Minister of the Caribbean nation of Antigua announced yesterday that the country’s tallest peak would be renamed Mount Obama in honor of the new American President.

The erstwhile Boggy Peak will likely benefit from the infusion of attention and visitors its new moniker will earn it when it is re-christened on August 4, Obama’s 48th birthday.

The mountain is a popular hiking spot for locals and tourists alike.

Many islands of the Caribbean have been suffering from a dramatic recession-induced drop in visitors. Tourism is the number one industry throughout the region, and to spur demand, many resorts and hotels have been offering deep discounts.

Of the decision to rename the 1,300-foot high mountain, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer simply said that he wanted to celebrate Obama’s inauguration with a gesture that would resonate with “people of color all over the world, and indeed all people,” and “ignite hope and action in people of many countries who might still be passive in the face of inadequacies and injustice.”

Spencer originally wrote to Obama after the election in November telling him of his intentions.

However, not all Antiguans were equally thrilled at the prospect. Some reportedly questioned the Prime Minister’s motives, while others were unsure of Obama’s relevance to their country.

Related links: Antigua Sun, Associated Press

By Karen Elowitt for PeterGreenberg.com.

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