Seaga looks to US for tourism investment

Seaga

LEADER OF the Opposition Edward Seaga, has returned from a trip to New York where he courted U.S. investors with a view to funding hotel and port construction projects in Jamaica.

Addressing potential investors he outlined plans for rehabilitating what he considered Jamaica's stagnant economy for the last decade. Apart from upgrading the country's tourism infrastructure, Mr. Seaga said that he wanted to put tourism at the forefront of the country's economy and to that end wanted to use a government promotional budget of US$34 million, double the current US$17 million.

Mr. Seaga pointed out that Jamaica had added another 7000 rooms to the hotel industry in the last 10 years, but that he intended to add a further 10,000 rooms in seven years should he regain control of government.

He said that he plans to establish a free port in Kingston harbour, "something that would serve several business purposes, including tourism.. The free port would he said lead to the establishment of an inbound shopping complex at the new port and would see Port Royal become a major attraction for visiting tourists.

He gave an insight into the history of Port Royal pointing out that it was a vibrant trading capital and pirate headquarters during the late 17th century before an earthquake sunk two-thirds of the city in 1692.

The "richest and wickedest city in the world" will form the theme as an attraction rather similar to Williamsburg in Virginia. The plan includes museums, shops, taverns, restaurants, and an underwater structure that would allow visitors to view the sunken section of the city.

Mr. Seaga said the port would provide employment in Kingston, the place where it is most needed and would be a factor in reducing crime in the city.

"It is crime that scares visitors away from the capital city although tourists are almost never the victims," he said.

Tourism growth has been about 2 per cent in recent years and Mr. Seaga intends to return it to growth rates of between 10 to 12 per cent which it was a decade ago. He said that hotel occupancies have been at about 58 per cent but he wants to get that up to 70 per cent for all the hotels, including the new ones.

He once again called upon the Government to increase spending on tourism promotional funding and that it had been remiss in its advertising drive and with working with tour operators.

In response to a question about competing with Cuba as a holiday destination particularly when sanctions are lifted, Mr. Seaga said, "That bothers everyone but Jamaica is better positioned than other destinations to deal with the challenge. For one thing I expect to see packages aimed at Europeans that combine a week in Cuba with a week in Jamaica- good for offsetting possible damage."

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