NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2024 14 EDMUND BARTLETT FEATURE the Reynolds Pier in Ocho Rios to the bauxite port in Discovery Bay, thereby freeing up that facility for full development as a dedicated cruise-ship port, in addition to the existing cruise-ship pier. MORE CRUISE SHIPS In the meantime, the minister said, work was continuing apace in expanding the Montego Bay port as well for more cruise ships to be accommodated in the Second City. Even the capital city, Kingston, is not escaping the attention of Bartlett, as a potential cruise-shipping destination. He, like many ministers before him, contends that it holds rich potential for exploitation. “No. It is no pipe dream!” he said in answer to the question as to whether Kingston could become a cruise destination any time soon. Launching into his best salesman’s pitch, he painted a detailed picture: “With Cuba opening up soon, a southern Caribbean route can be established, with Kingston, Havana, Haiti or Santo Domingo. That’s a very strong route! You may even want to call it a northern Caribbean route!” In that scenario, he said, Kingston stands to benefit enormously because of the historic importance of Port Royal, Spanish Town and Kingston, “which still have the finest heritage products in the country”. Accordingly, he said, his office was reviewing the studies and proposals which had already been made for the redevelopment of Port Royal, in concert with related activities in Spanish Town, Kingston and the Blue Mountains. ADDITIONAL ATTRACTIONS Even as the new Government seeks to lure significantly more cruise-ship passengers and stopover visitors to Jamaica, the tourism minister is, however, emphasising the importance of developing additional attractions. It was important, he said, to look for investments in the attractions sector, arguing attractions were what would build the industry. “It is what brings heads to beds!” With 30,000-40,000 rooms projected to be available by 2012, he said some operators of major attractions were now expressing genuine interest in establishing facilities in Jamaica. “In the last few weeks, I got a call from one of them because they are seeing now the expansion patterns and the projections that we’ve made ... and so, now they are interested in looking at Jamaica to have their facility. And I think one of the things that inspired them most was the potential for Falmouth with that new port.” That particular investor needed at least 10,000 patrons passing through his (unnamed) facility per day for it to be a success, Bartlett said. When asked whether this was a casino, the minister would only say that the new Government was not ruling out that option to grow the industry. “We have no difficulty exploring those possibilities for Jamaica. This is not to say it is going to happen overnight, but casino gaming represents one of the critical options.” Neither would he rule out the inclusion of casino gaming in the luxurious Harmony Cove development, slated for Duncans, Trelawny. The contract to develop Harmony Cove, a multifaceted hotel and condominium-type resort, conceptualised by the previous administration, was awarded to the Tavistock Group of the United States. The new Government has embraced the project, and, according to Bartlett, is anxious to fast-track it and bring forward its implementation date earlier than the 2009 start-up projected. Ronnie Thwaites, opposition MP for Central Kingston, tabled a question for the Government in Parliament on Tuesday, October 2, querying the administration’s position on the controversial issue of casino gaming. The answer to that question is pending. With Cuba opening up soon, a southern Caribbean route can be established, with Kingston, Havana, Haiti or Santo Domingo.
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