HenryBLACK RIVER:
MARKETING STRATEGIST Desmond Henry says the 2001/2002 winter tourist season will be a rough one for the island's south coast and can be described as the worst in Jamaica's tourism history.
Speaking with The Gleaner on Tuesday, Mr. Henry noted that the number of tourists travelling from the United States and other countries to Jamaica is at a low. He said this could be attributed to the fall-out from the September 11 terrorist attack on the United States.
"To bounce back from the current low in our tourism industry we need far more marketing of our tourism product. At present we are at the worst in our tourism history and it's going to take us a long time to get over it," Mr. Henry stressed.
A manager of Sunset Resort in Treasure Beach, Monique Chang, said that up to December 15 the property had a 75 per cent occupancy level. However, she said she felt things would get worst come the second week of January.
The Sunset Resort manager also expressed fear that the current winter tourist season, from a south coast viewpoint was looking bleak and this spelt hardship for the small properties and the island's south coast.
Mr. Henry also argued that the properties on the south coast which will survive the season are those that have strong international linkages such as Jakes Resort in Treasure Beach. "Jakes Resort will continue to hold its ground because of its presence in the international marketplace through advertising and other promotion efforts" he commented.
Efforts to get a comment from Jason Henzell manager of Jakes Resort were unsuccessful as he was said to be out of office.
