Not enough attractions — PM

BY HORACE HINES Observer staff reporter

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

ROSE HALL, St James — Prime Minister Bruce Golding has mandated tourism management agencies to widen the search for foreign investment for the expansion of the attraction side of the local tourist industry.

Golding said he was not convinced there were enough first-rate attractions on the island and urged that focus not just be placed on hotel development.

"I am not satisfied that we have enough attractions to keep our visitors as excitingly engaged as we want them to be. We have seen impressive success of investment of attractions that are well-conceived, well-designed and well managed. You think of Chukka Cove, Dolphin Cove, you look at Margaritaville, you look at Mystic Mountain. These are attractions that have done well and are themselves becoming parts of the Jamaican brand name. But there is scope for so much more," Golding said.

To this end, the prime minister has challenged Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett to expand to global levels the campaign for investment in local attractions.

"I want to suggest that there are other frontiers that beckon, that are waiting to be conquered. I have asked the minister of tourism as he goes around the world and as he promotes tourism, and as he promotes investments in hotel development, that he include in his promotions investment in attractions as well," Prime Minister Golding charged.

The prime minister was speaking Friday at the opening of the US$35million Montego Bay Convention Centre in time to host the premier regional tourism trade show, Caribbean Marketplace -- set to take place from January 16-18.

"In so many things we offer a little of this, and a little of that. We can do so much more, we can do so much better than this kind of knick-knacks approach. And it is a challenge that I throw out to the Ministry of Tourism, to the JTB (Jamaica Tourist Board), to the TPDCo (Tourism Product Developent Company) to the Tourism Enhancement Fund, let us expand Ed Bartlett's big thinking," Golding argued.

"Let's look at areas of tourism that perhaps we have never conceived in any serious ways before and let us see what may not yet be within our grasp but within our reach if we simply reach out far enough. Let's do the evaluation, the analysis, let's study the market, let's stretch our possibilities. We're gonna build a strategy to bring not just more tourists to Jamaica, but more tourists of different types, of different interests," he said.

Meanwhile, in bringing greetings, the tourism minister conceded that "Jamaica has been limited as a destination in its ability to attract players in the very lucrative meetings and conference sector".

He, however, noted that with the availability of the Montego Bay Convention Centre, the destination is now strategically poised to earn from the pool of US$280 billion that the International Congress of Conference Association indicates is available from the 400,000 conventions and exhibitions that are organised globally on an annual basis.

Bartlett noted that the facility — constructed by Chinese firm Complant, through a loan from the Chinese Government — boasts 50,000 square feet of exhibition space, over 20,000 square feet of banquet facility and more than 11,000 square feet of meeting space.

"We now have the largest meeting facility in the English-speaking Caribbean," said Bartlett.

POST A COMMENT

You must first register and then login to be able to post a comment.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and before commenting you need to register, conveniently, by clicking the link above.

COMMENTS (16)

1/12/2011

Some Ideas for Kingston and Port Royal.
1. A real pirate ship tour Port Royal.
2. Water sports in a cleaned up harbor.
3. A Casino Kingston waterfront.
4. Recreational Cycling, jogging paths along the Palisadoes, and restaurants .
5. Legalize Pot.

PL BOGLE
1/11/2011

@ U.S Liberal odean You know that you are really full of crap. You are one of those neutralized American Citizens so don't use the words "us Americans " When your commenting on a J'can forum. So go hold your corner.

Carlos Bryson
1/11/2011

I like your thought process in the regard Mr. Prime Minister. You are the first in my opinion to echo these sentiments. I would go a bit further in suggesting that the current leaders in the industry along with the JTB make a serious effort to develop and encourage the small operators through mentoring and partnering. In a way democratize the industry and create more responsible stakeholders. In the process increasing the value of the product.

Paul Gentles
1/11/2011

Govt. job is to create the environment to foster development...so go create stability,significantly reduce crime i.e daily murders,double or triple taxation in the form of extortion and put proper accountabilty and auditing procedures in place which fosters corruption to evade counter-productive red tape etc.
Work on the infrastructure...fix roads,tighten the ports...then people will invest with less fear and attractions will be able to attract to justify expenditure..

U.S Liberal odean
1/11/2011

why does ja continue to invest its money in tourism while ignoring the needs of you country and the level of development that your country needs? what about helping jamaicans and stop bending over for foreigners? Jamaicans are treated like crap when they visit foreign countries like america, canada and the EU, yet the government of ja has still not learn to take care of its people first. when will u guys learn to find an alternative to tourism? poor ja, always bending over for us americans lol

Kwame Gordon-Martin
1/11/2011

@Pancho Morris, I have been to Puerto Rico many times and Jamaica has by far, a wider variety of attractions. For instance, the three biggest attractions that exist in and around San Juan are the colonial fort, the rain forest with observation tower and the rum factory. We have all of these things and more! Our outstanding issue is CRIME!! The second outstanding issue is underdevelopment of what we have like Milk River, Bath, Reich Falls, Blue Mtn. hiking, Port Royal, Lime Cay, etc, etc, etc.

Verna Kitson
1/11/2011

Golding wants a disneyfied Jamaica, and Jamaicans just want a Jamaica we can live in with some guarantee that we won't be killed, maimed, underpaid, extorted or otherwise mistreated. For me, the best "attraction" would be a PM who actually cares about the people of Jamaica, rather than the entertainment of tourists. If we the people are doing well, that will translate directly into a more positive experience for tourists.

David Armstrong
1/11/2011

When I read all the comments the PM have made in this article I now understand why he he is not a good leader and the type of leader that will solve the social problems plaguing the country. A strong visionary leader would not say things that indicate he is relying on others to find solutions or for that manner not have a plan of what he wants to put in place. He is challenging and suggesting to others to find solutions to find more attractions for tourists. We should challenge him to to fix JA.

oneil walter
1/11/2011

How about a little investment in the youth of the country who help to keep the name of Jamaica foremost in the mind of some of the tourist that come to JA. Like getting the stadium track laid so Gibson relay can run. I only see this zeal from the government only when it has to deal with tourism. What are u saying those athletes and the industry of track and field does nothing for the country ? Shame on JA government for being so shortsighted . Full time u see the value of what we've got.

Danny Hawes
1/11/2011

I have an idea for an attraction. However, what kind of facility the government put in place to support ideas from locals who would need financial backing?

San Patrek
1/11/2011

This is a very good observation from the PM. He doesn't need to look far for answers though. The local population should be his first port of call. What would enhance the lives of local citizenry better is also likely to make the experience of tourist richer. Community tourism is a concept that needs to be explored and develop. More designated parks and green spaces in urban areas. More cycle tracks in mountainous regions. Opportunities for camping and hiking in places that are open but safe.

Peter Pan
1/11/2011

Maybe the Prime Minister should warn these investors about the predatory nature of the All-Inclusive hotels, who for the most part, is the point of sales for most of these attractions in the Island. They take the lion share of the proceeds and the attraction operators benefit little from these tours. Also, the guest from these All-Inclusive hotels spend VERY little at these sites (based on personal observations). You are lucky if 10 out of a group of 100 buys anything.

David Armstrong
1/11/2011

"I am not satisfied that we have enough attractions to keep our visitors as excitingly engaged as we want them to be." This kind of statement is not wht you would expect from the leader of a country especially when that country is riddled with corruption and crime. He is concerned about not having enough attractions when their are so many distractions that is holding JA back. Is he not concerned about the corruption in the political system and the violent crimes - problems that tourists detest.

Chuck Emanuel
1/11/2011

What is needed is to seek Innovation and engagement from Members of the Cabinet and MPs, of how to develope and generate long term Investments that will create Jobs for the country. Some of these MPs who are loafers needs to be equipped with marketing, sales and programming skills with the ability to generate investments for Jamaica. There are just too many political activists in Governance doing nothing but talk shops and advocating more taxation.
Hold them Accountable !

pancho morris
1/11/2011

It's about time someone in power took notice of this. I have been back to Jamaica several times and there isn't very much to do there. Jamaica needs more attractions like they have in Puerto Rico. We can do better and we should do better. We are the shining start of the Caribbean.

Jay Brown
1/11/2011

Mr Golding, here is my suggestion.
If only we could "fix" up Jamaican for Jamaicans, it would make so much of a difference and the vistors would find the Jamaican way and life and places very attractive.
Instead we are making the same mistake of our predecessors, that spending millions in some isolated place to take our visitors away from the "real" Jamaica.
Use our tax dollars to make Jamaica better for Jamaicans and rest assured the visitors will enjoy it also.
Rail service is an attraction

Do you feel buying into Facebook now is a good investment for the long-run?
	Yes
	No

View Results
Results published weekly in Sunday Finance

Username:
Password:

Teen killed for laughing at man who fell from bicycle

Not enough attractions — PM