THE EDITOR, Sir:
I READ with amusement an article published by The Gleaner on the 27th December, 2002, in the financial report by Robert Stephens headed, "The Way Forward For Jamaica." In it, he has so lavished such praises on the 'historic triangle' of Kingston, Spanish Town and Port Royal that one would think this triangle was Jamaica.
His obsession with Port Royal and his other historic structures is quite within reason, but one should realise no tourist is travelling not even a hundred miles to view, as they would travel thousands of miles to see the Arc De Triumph, The Great Wall of China or Great masterpieces of Art in Italy.
Then the impractical idea of flying people from cruise ships from Port Royal to see the real beauty of the island is ridiculous. People want to see, to feel, to touch. The average cruise ship today carries at least 2,500 passengers so what if 1,500 want to sight-see, where will the helicopters come from.
Mr. Robert Stephens' historic triangle is destined for industrial complexes for manufacture and vast Internet network and export not tourism. Robert Stephens is 'hell-bent' in putting the North Coast in the background and Ocho Rios not as the major port of call for cruise ships. Mr. Stephens must realise the names Kingston, Spanish Town do not ring with any poetry; some people even shudder at the names. Please leave little Port Royal alone. Its subtle mystery is good enough.
Remember you have no Dunn's River, no Beaches, no Caves, no Fern Gully, no Dolphin Bay, no Rio Grande, no Negril, and no Montego Bay. Please go and dream again, Sir Robert.
As dreams are fancies of those that sleep, so fancies are but the dreams of those awake.
I am etc.,
RAYMOND GOLDSMITH
Pier View Apartments
Ocho Rios
St. Ann
