By Adrian Frater, News EditorWESTERN BUREAU:
WHATEVER FUNDS are generated from former visitors through the ambitious scheme recently announced by noted St. Elizabeth hotelier Jason 'Jakes' Henzell will go to communities affected by Hurricane Ivan and not to the rebuilding of the tourism sector.
"The message did not go out clearly and some people are of the view that the initiative is aimed at soliciting funds to rebuild the tourist sector which is definitely not the case," noted Mr. Henzell, in re-emphasising what he said at last Friday's Gleaner Editors' Forum, in St. Elizabeth. "This initiative is solely about trying to help the communities that have been affected."
In the proposed initiative, which was unveiled in the aftermath of the devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan, Mr. Henzell said his hotel (Jakes) had started making contact with former visitors, who have previously vacationed in St. Elizabeth, to contribute to the restoration of communities that have been adversely affected by Hurricane Ivan.
"We have been working with our data base and appealing to people who have come to the hotels in Treasure Beach to contribute to the initiative," said Mr. Henzell, who expressed a desire to see other players in the industry buying into the initiative. "I believe it could be expanded into a national effort."
In stating the rationale behind seeking help for the communities, Mr. Henzell said that the hotel sector has been damaged, but will be okay because of insurance coverage, the communities will not have that type of cushion, hence the need to invite visitors to contribute to the rebuilding of these communities.
"It is an idea we have been working with and would only be too happy to share with others," continued Mr. Henzell. "We saw this is a way of helping the affected people in our communities to rebuild their lives."
