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Falmouth welcomes first cruise ship
Edmund Bartlett, Tourism Minister.
The historic town of Falmouth, Trelawny was transformed into a bevy of activity on Thursday as the first cruise ship was welcomed at the newly-constructed pier.
Hundreds of tourists disembarked the mega-liner, the 'Voyager of the Seas', which arrived with 3,000 passengers, many of whom walked the Georgian town of Falmouth, which has been designated for pedestrian only some sections.
The town was abuzz with activities from the pier with its artisan village and shops, to Water Square, where a sea of vendors lined the streets selling food and craft items.
There was a variety of music everywhere and all forms of attractions including tram carts and horse and carriage used in the former years.
The ambience was one becoming of a town rich in history and the residents turned out in droves to be a part of it.
Courting major cruise operators
Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett said Thursday's operations went without hitch, a sentiment shared by the cruise operators.
"The new port of Falmouth is a statement of the readiness of Falmouth for prime time cruise tourism. I say this because this port and its facilities as well as the development around the port, is going to be the finest of its kind not only around the Caribbean but the world," he said.
Mr. Bartlett emphasized that they are already courting major cruise operators.
He sought to assure players in the tourism industry that other ports will not be affected by the opening of the Falmouth pier.
Heritage tourism
In the meantime Culture Minister Olivia "Babsy" Grange said there are major plans to embark on heritage tourism in all aspects in Falmouth.
"To ensure that everybody is on board the best is being projected. I’m very impressed with what I see here today and I want to make this point, that for the first time, Jamaica has started on the right footing," she said.
And local political representatives on Thursday, reeled off superlatives about the day that many had doubts about.
The 'Voyager of the Seas' will be making weekly stops at the port ahead of the world's largest cruise ship, 'Oasis of the Seas' which is scheduled to make its inaugural stop on March 22.
Edmund Bartlett, Tourism Minister.
The historic town of Falmouth, Trelawny was transformed into a bevy of activity on Thursday as the first cruise ship was welcomed at the newly-constructed pier.
Hundreds of tourists disembarked the mega-liner, the 'Voyager of the Seas', which arrived with 3,000 passengers, many of whom walked the Georgian town of Falmouth, which has been designated for pedestrian only some sections.
The town was abuzz with activities from the pier with its artisan village and shops, to Water Square, where a sea of vendors lined the streets selling food and craft items.
There was a variety of music everywhere and all forms of attractions including tram carts and horse and carriage used in the former years.
The ambience was one becoming of a town rich in history and the residents turned out in droves to be a part of it.
Courting major cruise operators
Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett said Thursday's operations went without hitch, a sentiment shared by the cruise operators.
"The new port of Falmouth is a statement of the readiness of Falmouth for prime time cruise tourism. I say this because this port and its facilities as well as the development around the port, is going to be the finest of its kind not only around the Caribbean but the world," he said.
Mr. Bartlett emphasized that they are already courting major cruise operators.
He sought to assure players in the tourism industry that other ports will not be affected by the opening of the Falmouth pier.
Heritage tourism
In the meantime Culture Minister Olivia "Babsy" Grange said there are major plans to embark on heritage tourism in all aspects in Falmouth.
"To ensure that everybody is on board the best is being projected. I’m very impressed with what I see here today and I want to make this point, that for the first time, Jamaica has started on the right footing," she said.
And local political representatives on Thursday, reeled off superlatives about the day that many had doubts about.
The 'Voyager of the Seas' will be making weekly stops at the port ahead of the world's largest cruise ship, 'Oasis of the Seas' which is scheduled to make its inaugural stop on March 22.
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