In a referendum earlier this week on whether the Cayman Islands should develop cruise berthing infrastructure, 65 per cent voted ‘no’. This resounding rejection of a plan to facilitate, especially large cruise ships, has far-reaching implications for Jamaica and its cruise industry, being a close neighbour of the Cayman Islands and with both territories forming part of the western Caribbean cruise itinerary.

The western Caribbean cruise itinerary generally involves a group of destinations which may be visited within a period of seven days. The other destinations within this cycle include Cozumel in Mexico and The Bahamas.

The destinations together generally create what is considered to be a workable and marketable itinerary in the cruise business, offering business logistics, considering, inter alia, fuel costs and travelling time from and to the cruise originating port. Then there is consideration of marketability, with potential cruise guests wanting to pursue different and varied experiences within a single itinerary.

This week’s referendum result is not what Jamaica would have desired, but respecting the expressed will of the people is inviolable to the preservation of democracy. In addition to the referendum results, there are other regional and global challenges of note. Within the region, Nassau, Bahamas, is approximately 160 nautical miles from some United States, South Florida, home ports, offering cruisers the opportunity for shorter cruises within a current popular four-day cruise itinerary. Then there are global issues such as fuel costs and the current uncertainties surrounding the likelihood of economic slowdown, which will negatively impact leisure decisions, even if it is mild and short-lived.

The current realities could easily influence fears and doubts about the future, but this is not the time to assume a defeatist mentality. Instead, we should embrace the challenges and be propelled by our resilience, our track record of beating the odds, and the fact that Jamaica is known and remembered among tourists for the genuine charm and warmth of our people, combined with a physical landscape of breathtaking wonders.

While we are at an unenviable crossroads in the cruise tourism business, Jamaica must determine the imperatives of this moment. One such may be a longer-term geopolitical consideration of engaging our active Diaspora connections in the United States of America to assist us making the case for a cooling off of the tension between Washington DC and Cuba and simultaneously engaging Havana in consideration of moving closer and gradually to the centre of democratic ideals without each sacrificing its national character and dignity.

The simple fact is that Cuba, with approximately 11 million people, should be an active participant in the socio-economic development of the Caribbean archipelago, and certainly, it has the potential to transform cruise itineraries in the western Caribbean. Haiti, too, must be a subject at the forefront of a western Caribbean regional Diaspora discussion and engagement with decision-makers in Washington, guided by determined efforts to find workable solutions with specified, practical medium-term objectives.

Jamaica simply cannot expect to attain and maintain socio-economic advancement with two of its closest and largest neighbours remaining locked out of the vast opportunities for the creation of prosperity within our space. We are too close to ignore the realities of these islands, and our development will be thwarted if we look the other way.

The reality is that persistent poverty and retarded economic mobility cannot be contained. They eventually develop into antisocial characteristics, then migrate to other shores, causing a mushrooming and widening of the negative impacts.

Finally, we must address our guests experience concerns for tourists who visit our island. The social media space, with its far-reaching global connections, tells too many stories of tourists feeling short-changed after their vacation to the island. This will require our regulatory institutions to put a check on our penchant for disorder and chaos in our resort urban centres and ensure that everyone who is licensed as a tourism service ambassador understands the obligatory role of being a custodian of providing a positive Jamaican experience to our guests.

Today we face uncertain challenges, but we are equipped with the tested and proven resilience, creativity, and passion to overcome. Let’s get on with it.

markahylton@hotmail.com