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Excellent Points, Jangle!
I am hoping that the Jamaican government acts sensibly and AVOID any attempt to host the IAAF World Relays. The cash-strapped Bahamas government realized that the country was not benefitting in any way from this overrated two-day event, despite pouring anywhere US$5 to US$9 million each time. In fact, the only real beneficiary is the IAAF. (I could expand more on the benefits to the IAAF, but I can’t be bothered to at this time.)
To talk about having a great impact on visitor arrivals is a fallacy. Sure, athletes and their supporters, management teams, and foreign journalists will arrive, but this does not qualify as a great impact, plus the IAAF, which maintains broadcasting rights, will be broadcasting the event globally through a wide variety of selected channels and via YouTube. The task up upgrading our ancient national stadium is also a costly one. The Bahamas, owner of one of the newest stadiums in the region, had to invest somewhere in the region of US$9 million to meet the IAAF’s criteria.
Jangle, you are absolutely correct when you stated, “If the relays coming to Kingston, that's just a speck that will not change anything on the tourism map.”
You are likewise correct when you said, “There’s a reason why Bahamas is giving it up. The World Relays is not generating enough interest amongst the top athletes because it’s too early in the season.”
To cite one example as support, although there have been three IAAF World Relays so far (2014, 2015 and 2017), Ethiopia has never sent even one athlete.
By the way, Jamaica as the “Mecca” of tourism is wild talk which ignores the facts. The islands of the Bahamas get MUCH MORE tourist visitors annually than Jamaica, and the same with the Dominican Republic. So as you again accurately stated, “Bahamas gets 2m more visitors annually than Jamaica. It’s cheaper and easier to get to the Bahamas from North America and Europe than it is to get to Jamaica....and it’s safer. The World Relays will not even create a ripple in Jamaica’s tourism earnings.”
In conclusion, I would hate to see a repeat of the Cricket World Cup fiasco, which was preceded by wild arguments about the perceived profitability of this ill-fated venture.
Jamaican’s economy is such that the government needs to prioritize the spending of every dollar. There is no way that Jamaica should even consider becoming involved in the May 10 – 11, 2019 IAAF World Championships!
To talk about having a great impact on visitor arrivals is a fallacy. Sure, athletes and their supporters, management teams, and foreign journalists will arrive, but this does not qualify as a great impact, plus the IAAF, which maintains broadcasting rights, will be broadcasting the event globally through a wide variety of selected channels and via YouTube. The task up upgrading our ancient national stadium is also a costly one. The Bahamas, owner of one of the newest stadiums in the region, had to invest somewhere in the region of US$9 million to meet the IAAF’s criteria.
Jangle, you are absolutely correct when you stated, “If the relays coming to Kingston, that's just a speck that will not change anything on the tourism map.”
You are likewise correct when you said, “There’s a reason why Bahamas is giving it up. The World Relays is not generating enough interest amongst the top athletes because it’s too early in the season.”
To cite one example as support, although there have been three IAAF World Relays so far (2014, 2015 and 2017), Ethiopia has never sent even one athlete.
By the way, Jamaica as the “Mecca” of tourism is wild talk which ignores the facts. The islands of the Bahamas get MUCH MORE tourist visitors annually than Jamaica, and the same with the Dominican Republic. So as you again accurately stated, “Bahamas gets 2m more visitors annually than Jamaica. It’s cheaper and easier to get to the Bahamas from North America and Europe than it is to get to Jamaica....and it’s safer. The World Relays will not even create a ripple in Jamaica’s tourism earnings.”
In conclusion, I would hate to see a repeat of the Cricket World Cup fiasco, which was preceded by wild arguments about the perceived profitability of this ill-fated venture.
Jamaican’s economy is such that the government needs to prioritize the spending of every dollar. There is no way that Jamaica should even consider becoming involved in the May 10 – 11, 2019 IAAF World Championships!
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
,as for the cricket comparrison the WC was a financial waste but T20 cricket has shown a 25 % increase in visitor arrivals yearly to KGN !
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