Portland’s newly installed Resort Board has armed itself with a slew of new strategies which it plans on rolling out shortly as it seeks to boost the parish’s tourism offering.

Board member and President of the College of Agriculture Science and Education (CASE) Dr Mary Nichols said based on the composition of the board there is no way to fail to succeed.

“Portland must take back pride of place because everything started here,” she told the Jamaica Observer North East as the Board highlighted some of the plans the administration hopes to tackle.

Chairman of the month-old Board Larry Robertson was able to identify the challenges of the previous administration and use them as starting points this time around.

“I think what was really hindering some of our plans was the lack of organisation and the lack of ideas. I think that there are enough ideas within the parish. We could develop these ideas and have a very unique tourism product,” he told the Observer North East.

Among the many tourism projects on the horizon for the parish are the refurbishing of the world-famous Boston Beach.

“It’s where people actually cool off during the days, and lunchtime on Saturdays and Sundays, to have their share of jerk and the beach is where they come to do surfing,” said Robertson of Boston Beach.

Some of the private properties also slated for further developments are Blue Lagoon which involves rebuilding a restaurant that was destroyed by a recent hurricane and Bay View Villa whose management will be constructing a non-motorised water sports facility.

Robertson also disclosed that the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) is currently examining a master plan for Folly and this is to be unveiled shortly. He explained that the search is also on to find private investors to improve the facilities at Rafters Rest and the room stock on this eastern parish has been increased with the newest additions of rooms from Sea Bell Resort.

Improvements are also expected at Somerset Falls and Carder Park.

Robertson said there are also plans to develop ground, air and sea transport to accommodate the expected increase in tourism activities.

“We’re aiming for the Ken Jones Airport development,” he said, adding “we want development of the property itself such as restaurants, rental car facility, proper lighting and so on,” he said.

The committee will have their chance to put some of their plans into action with the upcoming Fisherman’s Regatta and Seafood Festival scheduled for the Independence celebrations. There will also be the staging of a street dance in August, a 5K, 20/20 cricket tournament and a boat and swimmer’s race. To execute these events, the committee will, as in previous years, rely on assistance from students of CASE.

“One of the greatest tourist opportunities that we have at the moment is with CASE.” he said. “CASE has all the necessary infrastructure to expand the parish’s tourism.”

Robertson spoke specifically of the educational institution’s hospitality programme which, he said, covers every aspect of tourism.

According to CASE president, two in every three persons employed in the tourism industry in Portland are graduates of CASE.

She noted that while CASE would be featuring prominently in Portland’s tourism development, the institution is still battling with the usual problems.

“CASE has the raw resources. What we need is the capital. We have the land and a mini-stadium all we need is for partners to come in,” she said, calling for support from both private and public sectors.

Meanwhile, she noted that in marketing the parish, there should be an emphasis on presenting an authentic Jamaican experience.

“It’s really about looking at the authentic, local products that are here and encouraging people to stay with it.” she said. “Not only must we grow and eat Jamaican, we must buy Jamaican, especially where the dollar is now.”

Some members of the new Board recently took the opportunity to tour the new craft market.

“We are interfacing with the tenants to speak about issues affecting them to resolve any problem which they may be faced with,” explained Nichols who added that they also wanted to encourage more craft vendors to trade in authentic Jamaican goods.

She noted that a major focus will be unlocking the region’s agro-eco tourism potential.

Unlike previous years, members of the Resort Board had to fulfil several criteria, including attendance at meetings and a background in the field. As such, the new committee is a reflection of a wide cross-section of Portland with persons from local businesses, hotels and the education sector.