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Bad roads driving tourists away
Published: Sunday | April 7, 2013 2 Comments
Bad road conditions en route from Golden Grove to Bath in St Thomas force this motorist to take the bushes to spare his front end major damage. - Ian Allen/Photographer
The Government could be well advised to use some of the billions of dollars now available under the Major Infrastructure Development Programme (MIDP) to fix roads in communities frequented by the millions of visitors each year.
Scores of tourists have identified the bad roads across the island as one of the factors which spoilt their vacations.
"Better road, the road is too bad," said one visitor. "Better street signage and direction (needed). Fix the potholes," remarked another.
In addition to the poor conditions of the road, some visitors were terrified by the daredevil-type driving showcased by the drivers of some public passenger vehicles.
"Bus driver drive too bad," said one visitor with another arguing that the "drivers in Jamaica are crazy, something needs to be done about the bad driving".
"Bumpy roads! Great foods," said another visitor in the plethora of comments left by tourists in the 2011 Visitor Opinion Survey conducted by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).
Potholes scary
The difference in the state of highways and parochial roads was not lost on one visitor who pointed out that he or she had a problem with the roads.
"Some roads have a lot of potholes big like a crater. However, the highways are superb," the visitor said.
Another tourist believed the poor state of the roads is the number-one issue tainting Jamaica's tourism product.
"Number-one problem, roads. Number-two problem, water debris. Conditions are bad," the visitor noted.
Another traveller appealed to the authorities to fix the roads because it makes traversing the country very dangerous.
"Please help ensure roads are fixed. Too much potholes which lead to accidents (very important)," the visitor said with another pleading, "Please tell them to fix the roads in St Elizabeth, Spanish Town and parts of Kingston. The roads are bad."
A visitor even suggested that the Government should "use some of the tourism money to fix roads".
Late last week, the Government provided details of the MIDP, which is being financed by a concessionary loan from the China Ex-Im Bank.
The programme is scheduled to run for three years until 2016 and should see the rehabilitation of some 430 kilometres of roadway.
tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com
Published: Sunday | April 7, 2013 2 Comments
Bad road conditions en route from Golden Grove to Bath in St Thomas force this motorist to take the bushes to spare his front end major damage. - Ian Allen/Photographer
The Government could be well advised to use some of the billions of dollars now available under the Major Infrastructure Development Programme (MIDP) to fix roads in communities frequented by the millions of visitors each year.
Scores of tourists have identified the bad roads across the island as one of the factors which spoilt their vacations.
"Better road, the road is too bad," said one visitor. "Better street signage and direction (needed). Fix the potholes," remarked another.
In addition to the poor conditions of the road, some visitors were terrified by the daredevil-type driving showcased by the drivers of some public passenger vehicles.
"Bus driver drive too bad," said one visitor with another arguing that the "drivers in Jamaica are crazy, something needs to be done about the bad driving".
"Bumpy roads! Great foods," said another visitor in the plethora of comments left by tourists in the 2011 Visitor Opinion Survey conducted by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).
Potholes scary
The difference in the state of highways and parochial roads was not lost on one visitor who pointed out that he or she had a problem with the roads.
"Some roads have a lot of potholes big like a crater. However, the highways are superb," the visitor said.
Another tourist believed the poor state of the roads is the number-one issue tainting Jamaica's tourism product.
"Number-one problem, roads. Number-two problem, water debris. Conditions are bad," the visitor noted.
Another traveller appealed to the authorities to fix the roads because it makes traversing the country very dangerous.
"Please help ensure roads are fixed. Too much potholes which lead to accidents (very important)," the visitor said with another pleading, "Please tell them to fix the roads in St Elizabeth, Spanish Town and parts of Kingston. The roads are bad."
A visitor even suggested that the Government should "use some of the tourism money to fix roads".
Late last week, the Government provided details of the MIDP, which is being financed by a concessionary loan from the China Ex-Im Bank.
The programme is scheduled to run for three years until 2016 and should see the rehabilitation of some 430 kilometres of roadway.
tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com