HEAVEN
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Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner WriterOCHO RIOS, St Ann:
FORMER PRESIDENT of the St Ann Chamber of Commerce, Kumar Sujanani, has said there is a miraculous drop in the cases of tourist harassment in the resort town of Ocho Rios.
Speaking at the annual general meeting of the chamber recently, Sujanani, a businessman with interests in the tourism sector, praised the efforts of the chamber's vice-president, Desmond Palmer, and others who he said played a role in the improvement.
"Their efforts have resulted in significant improvement where harassment is concerned," Sujanani said. "It is simply miraculous to see the changes in Ocho Rios. This is a dream come true!"
ARRIVALS DOWN
Tourist harassment has been a key element in the reduction of cruise ship arrivals at the Ocho Rios port over the last few years, resulting in several cruise ships diverting to the newly built port in Falmouth.
However, following efforts by the police, with support from the tourism ministry and business sector, there is finally some progress.
It is unclear how much of an improvement there has been, but according to Sujanani, the new situation is a relief.
Vana Taylor, Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association executive, also commended the police team, while Leopold Williams, immediate past-president lauded Tourism Minister Dr Wykeham McNeill "for his quick response" to the concerns of the chamber and the Ocho Rios business community in general.
"This is one time where we can say a politician has really worked," said Williams.
Meanwhile, new president of the St Ann Chamber of Commerce, Oral Heaven, has pledged to continue the efforts of the chamber in seeking to uplift the parish of St Ann.
"We have to look at how to continue to build on the success of the past administration," Heaven told reporters after he was elected as president for the 2013/2014 year.
Heaven, a bank manager, was the sole nominee to fill the vacancy created after Williams declined to seek re-election after one term in office.
Heaven said one of the areas he will target is the cruise shipping port.
"As it relates to cruise shipping, for example, we have lost out to Falmouth, but with the development coming of the pier in Ocho Rios, we expect business to grow and come from that. So, we will continue to work with the minister of tourism, so we can get Ocho Rios back to being the number one cruise shipping pier in Jamaica."
rural@gleanerjm.com
1 2 >
Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner WriterOCHO RIOS, St Ann:
FORMER PRESIDENT of the St Ann Chamber of Commerce, Kumar Sujanani, has said there is a miraculous drop in the cases of tourist harassment in the resort town of Ocho Rios.
Speaking at the annual general meeting of the chamber recently, Sujanani, a businessman with interests in the tourism sector, praised the efforts of the chamber's vice-president, Desmond Palmer, and others who he said played a role in the improvement.
"Their efforts have resulted in significant improvement where harassment is concerned," Sujanani said. "It is simply miraculous to see the changes in Ocho Rios. This is a dream come true!"
ARRIVALS DOWN
Tourist harassment has been a key element in the reduction of cruise ship arrivals at the Ocho Rios port over the last few years, resulting in several cruise ships diverting to the newly built port in Falmouth.
However, following efforts by the police, with support from the tourism ministry and business sector, there is finally some progress.
It is unclear how much of an improvement there has been, but according to Sujanani, the new situation is a relief.
Vana Taylor, Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association executive, also commended the police team, while Leopold Williams, immediate past-president lauded Tourism Minister Dr Wykeham McNeill "for his quick response" to the concerns of the chamber and the Ocho Rios business community in general.
"This is one time where we can say a politician has really worked," said Williams.
Meanwhile, new president of the St Ann Chamber of Commerce, Oral Heaven, has pledged to continue the efforts of the chamber in seeking to uplift the parish of St Ann.
"We have to look at how to continue to build on the success of the past administration," Heaven told reporters after he was elected as president for the 2013/2014 year.
Heaven, a bank manager, was the sole nominee to fill the vacancy created after Williams declined to seek re-election after one term in office.
Heaven said one of the areas he will target is the cruise shipping port.
"As it relates to cruise shipping, for example, we have lost out to Falmouth, but with the development coming of the pier in Ocho Rios, we expect business to grow and come from that. So, we will continue to work with the minister of tourism, so we can get Ocho Rios back to being the number one cruise shipping pier in Jamaica."
rural@gleanerjm.com
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