By Dennie Quill, ContributorNEGRIL IS a national treasure and someone needs to move urgently to protect it for the benefit of all Jamaica.
Anyone who has been visiting this resort over the last ten years or so can attest to the fact that substantial amount of resources have been pumped into developing the infrastructure. And one applauds the Government and its related agencies for the improvement to roads, water and sewage as well as the availability of telephone. Tourism interests have responded well, by expanding their properties. Negril is booming right now.
Nothing compares with an early morning stroll along Negril's powdery white sand beach; as the sand tickles one's toes ocean waves can be heard pounding out powerful rhythms. All cares evaporate as one sucks in the crisp, clean air. Clean? No, suddenly a pungent scent assails the nostrils and very soon one finds the source. A couple of dreadlocks are puffing away at their 'spliffs' and the view changes considerably, ramshackle buildings masquerading as hotels are plastered all over a section of the beach. What might have been regal palm trees have been reduced to masses of tangled roots because of erosion. The beach is filthy. So in a mere ten minutes an exhilarating walk has been transformed into a disappointment. A few tourists are also out early, some are jogging, and others are walking briskly. What must they be thinking when they see these hovels? This should not be. There has to be a strategic development plan for Negril, these ramshackle buildings have no place on the pristine beachfront. I am not suggesting that the land should be purloined, but in the name of development these plots should be acquired by Government and big tourism interests should be invited to invest there.
STRATEGIC PLAN
I envisage that such a strategic plan would involve the community and key stakeholders who would come together and decide on issues like managing limited resources, protecting the environment. There should also be an educational component to raise awareness about the role and importance of tourism.
This matter has to be handled delicately for maybe it has long passed the time when a peaceful solution can be found. I can just hear the howls from the current owners crying 'injustice and discrimination'. And my worst fear is that our cowardly policy-makers will shrink off into a corner and leave the problem to fester.
Tourism is not to be scoffed at. It generates foreign exchange, creates employment and stimulates development. World Bank studies say tourism produces 10 per cent of the gross world product. It is predicted that in the next seven years tourism employment will triple and the world-wide industry will have 150 million people across continents working at various jobs.
Much of the tourism dollar goes into the local economy by providing jobs. Hundreds of young men and women from Westmoreland and Hanover need not venture into Kingston in search of that elusive job. They can be observed going purposefully about their business as front desk managers, cooks, maids, artisans, gardeners, hairdressers, entertainers, entertainment co-ordinators etc.
Tourism policy-makers have a responsibility to ensure that they do everything to realise the full potential of this industry. It can be used as a tool to achieve prosperity for more people and a few people should not be allowed to mar the face of the product.
ANOTHER AREA OF CONCERN
There is another area of concern I wish to raise. As more and more visitors try to satisfy their need for outdoor recreation, it is inevitable that a number of attractions will spring up. Negril offers various activities such as snorkelling, cruising, sky-diving etc. It is commonplace to see tourists biking around Negril. Last weekend I ran into such a couple. I was trying my hand at fishing and they were swimming in the river. We exchanged pleasantries. Soon they were ready to leave and it was at this point the lady found out that her bicycle had a flat tyre. In keeping with my 2004 motto to render random acts of kindness, I offered to take her in my vehicle to the service station for air. Her husband trailed on his bicycle. Sadly when we got there the old rusted bicycle couldn't take an ounce of air. The woman, who I now learned was from Madison, Wisconsin, was advised to return the bicycle to the place from which she had rented it. She told me that she had had to return it twice already for different problems. Clearly the bicycle was not road-worthy.
So now we come to the matter of standards. Transportation is essential in a resort area. The people engaged in providing this and other services should ensure that they are efficient and reliable. The Tourism Ministry should put in place the mechanism to monitor these service providers to ensure that they maintain acceptable standards.
Dennie Quil is a veteran Journalist
