THE EDITOR, Sir:
Please allow me space in your newspaper to bring to light the sad fact that our country lies in the centre of the Caribbean, yet we are never considered a top dive destination. For those of you who think this may sound trivial, check out places like the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos, Bonaire and Cozumel.
None of these countries have the natural beauty and history that our country has, but they all manage to attract visitors by the hundreds who seek out one thing: good scuba diving. Remember, that these 'divers' also pay top dollar just to look at fish and coral reefs. Why can't we do the same?
In the January/February double issue of Rodale's Scubadiving magazine, the editors rate their readers' choice awards for top dive destinations. Believe it or not, Jamaica was actually on the list, not as a top dive destination, but as a place to return to: considering all-inclusives and white sand beaches. Quoting the editor, "Jamaica? Isn't that the country whose government forgot their reefs?"
Let us not be known for just easy drugs and easy beer. Let us become a world class destination as we truly should be. Remember that when people are willing to pay big money just to come and look at fish, the fish instantly become a renewable resource!
I am etc.,
C. MOOPENN
cmoopenn@cwjamaica.com
Mandeville
Via Go-Jamaica
