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Golding not satisfied
Published: Monday | January 10, 2011 3 Comments and 0 Reactions
Joy Douglas (front row left) general manager of the Urban Development Corporation, ambassador of the People's Republic of China, Chen Jinghua, Prime Minister Bruce Golding and opposition spokesman on tourism, Dr Wykeham McNeill at the soft opening of the Montego Bay Convention Centre last Friday. - Photo by Janet Silvera
Jamaica doesn't have enough attractions to excite visitors, PM says
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
On track to become the all-inclusive department store of Caribbean tourism, Prime Minister Bruce Golding says he is not satisfied Jamaica has enough attractions to keep visitors excitingly engaged.
The prime minister, who said he feels strongly about this position, was speaking at the soft opening of the multi-billion dollar Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St James last Friday.
The centre will host the region's most important marketing event, Caribbean Marketplace, January 16-18.
Likening the island's offerings to side orders, instead of main courses, Golding said, "in so many things, we offer a little of this and a little of that, but we can offer more than knick-knack".
Well-conceived attractions
He lauded the successes in the island attractions, such as Chukka Caribbean, Dolphin Cove, Mystic Mountain and Margaritaville Caribbean as well conceived, designed and managed, adding that they have all become a significant part of the brand.
He is, however, concerned that other frontiers waiting to be conquered, beckon.
"What brings visitors to Jamaica are not the fabulous hotels, nor the fabulous cuisine, it is the people," he argued, adding that there is something about Jamaican people that endears others, "So much of it comes out of our culture, there is a mystique about us," he said passionately.
At the risk of offending the many all-inclusive chains across the length and breadth of the country, Golding said, tourists come to Jamaica for rest and relaxation, but that does not mean that they want to be locked away in a hotel room undisturbed.
Borrowing from the popular term, 'We are more than a beach, we are country', he said whatever can be done to expose the visitors to get out and have a good time should be encouraged.
Fabulous story
To ensure this prospect becomes a reality, he has charged the tourism minister to find international investors to invest in attractions, when he goes fishing for hotel investors.
"The story of Jamaican tourism has not yet been fully written, there are new chapters to be written, and it has been reading well so far, let us continue to build this fabulous story that we call Jamaica."
In the meantime, he feels the convention centre is the new dimension, reminding the country that despite being a highly developed and mature tourism market there was so much more scope for growth and expansion.
"This project is significant, not only in what it has accomplished, but in terms of the opportunities that it unveils," he acknowledged.
Published: Monday | January 10, 2011 3 Comments and 0 Reactions
Joy Douglas (front row left) general manager of the Urban Development Corporation, ambassador of the People's Republic of China, Chen Jinghua, Prime Minister Bruce Golding and opposition spokesman on tourism, Dr Wykeham McNeill at the soft opening of the Montego Bay Convention Centre last Friday. - Photo by Janet Silvera
Jamaica doesn't have enough attractions to excite visitors, PM says
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
On track to become the all-inclusive department store of Caribbean tourism, Prime Minister Bruce Golding says he is not satisfied Jamaica has enough attractions to keep visitors excitingly engaged.
The prime minister, who said he feels strongly about this position, was speaking at the soft opening of the multi-billion dollar Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St James last Friday.
The centre will host the region's most important marketing event, Caribbean Marketplace, January 16-18.
Likening the island's offerings to side orders, instead of main courses, Golding said, "in so many things, we offer a little of this and a little of that, but we can offer more than knick-knack".
Well-conceived attractions
He lauded the successes in the island attractions, such as Chukka Caribbean, Dolphin Cove, Mystic Mountain and Margaritaville Caribbean as well conceived, designed and managed, adding that they have all become a significant part of the brand.
He is, however, concerned that other frontiers waiting to be conquered, beckon.
"What brings visitors to Jamaica are not the fabulous hotels, nor the fabulous cuisine, it is the people," he argued, adding that there is something about Jamaican people that endears others, "So much of it comes out of our culture, there is a mystique about us," he said passionately.
At the risk of offending the many all-inclusive chains across the length and breadth of the country, Golding said, tourists come to Jamaica for rest and relaxation, but that does not mean that they want to be locked away in a hotel room undisturbed.
Borrowing from the popular term, 'We are more than a beach, we are country', he said whatever can be done to expose the visitors to get out and have a good time should be encouraged.
Fabulous story
To ensure this prospect becomes a reality, he has charged the tourism minister to find international investors to invest in attractions, when he goes fishing for hotel investors.
"The story of Jamaican tourism has not yet been fully written, there are new chapters to be written, and it has been reading well so far, let us continue to build this fabulous story that we call Jamaica."
In the meantime, he feels the convention centre is the new dimension, reminding the country that despite being a highly developed and mature tourism market there was so much more scope for growth and expansion.
"This project is significant, not only in what it has accomplished, but in terms of the opportunities that it unveils," he acknowledged.
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