By Rayon Dyer, Gleaner WriterWESTERN BUREAU:
WITH JUST over two months to go before the start of the 2003-2004 winter tourist season, tourism interests in St. Elizabeth are cautiously optimistic that despite the low bookings at this time, the south coast will experience a good season.
In an interview earlier this week, Mr. Simon Brownie, the operator of the popular YS Falls, told The Gleaner that he was hoping for a good season as his property is still recovering from the impact of the two tropical storms that impacted Jamaica last year.
"We are still recovering from the impact of tropical storms Lili and Isadore which both had a negative impact on the property last year," said Mr. Brown. "Things are unusually slow at this time but we are holding on."
However, while the booking situation is not encouraging, Mr. Brown said that by the second week in December, things should be in full swing. According to him, most of his guests are from Europe and they usually visit in December.
SURPASS SUMMER OCCUPANCY
Dr. John Brown, the owner/operator of Treasure Beach Hotel, which is coming off a very good summer that saw occupancy 15 per cent higher than last year, is quite upbeat and is expecting a good winter. He is expecting that his 55 per cent summer occupancy will be surpassed.
"Treasure Beach is a wonderful area because as hotel/guest house operators, we get the first fruits and vegetables that come from the bread basket of Jamaica," Dr. Brown said. "I must admit that while August and September are the two slowest months, the winter should be quite good."
Over at the world famous Lover's Leap Attractions, the manager of the facility Stacey Matterson said things have not been great at the facility in recent times and she was expecting to see a turn around in the upcoming winter season.
"We are hoping for the day to come when things will get back to what it use to be at this property," said Ms. Matterson. "I believe that going towards the end of this month and into the first week of November, things will start looking better leading up to the winter season."
