Dear Editor,

Now that Port Royal has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, it is time to put it on the map.

The historical and cultural significance of the town is now recognised, and this could be a major boost for tourism. While some efforts have been made to enhance the area, especially with the building of the cruise ship dock, the approach lacks a clear vision of what and how they expect Port Royal to become.

It is important to preserve the area and rich history while making it more accessible and appealing to visitors and locals alike. If we have more cruise ships entering Port Royal, there are spin-offs to other sites, with tours around the capital city of Kingston. The potential is immense, if only we can envision it and put things in place instead of sitting back, hoping for it to happen.

When travelling, it is not difficult to see how other countries have capitalised on world heritage site designations to boost tourism and promote their countries. Morocco is one of the most-visited countries in Africa and boasts several world heritage sites.

I recently visited Marrakech in Morocco, the city is booming with tourists. Despite its raw, unpretentious vibe, there is a lot to experience. The Medina (old city) is vibrant, colourful, and filled with character and charm, with its markets (souks), beautiful old buildings, and cuisine. The old square Jemaa el-Fnaa, also part of the heritage site, looks like a large rundown marketplace with many tents, vendors, and hustlers. The square has a history of its own and is now a vital tourist attraction with links to several souks with hidden gems, crafts, and spices. It is clean and safe and at nights the square comes alive with locals, young and old, gathering in droves to sing, dance, play music, play games, eat, drink, and share their culture with visitors from around the globe. The tours and day trips from the city centre are numerous and include walking tours as well as longer trips to mountains, the dessert, waterfall, etc.

Years ago there was a Port Royal ferry which linked downtown Kingston to Port Royal providing regular service for residents of the town and visitors. Since the ferry no longer exists, is it feasible to have water taxis or even a smaller vessel used as a ferry? We only need feasibility studies to explore the possibilities which could help to capitalise on what Kingston has to offer in terms of culture, entertainment, and cuisine. The same effort and energy used to travel to Paris to present the case for Port Royal to become a heritage site should be used to transform Port Royal into something much more than what it is. The town already has a nice mix of chill spots for food and drink, scenic views, and trips to Lime Cay. Other organised activities, such as cycling, jogging, and fishing, could help to enhance the character of the town.

Port Royal, with its prime location on the coast, could become a mecca in the region, regaining its status as the jewel of the Caribbean. It has the potential to attract more tourists from the all-inclusives on the north coast for day trips, tours, and unique leisure and cultural experiences.

P Chin

chin_p@yahoo.com