Dennie Quill, ContributorTHE EASTER holidays provided an opportunity for me to kick back and enjoy some of the bounties that Jamaica has to offer.
So I took off to the increasingly parched south coast where I was greeted by a wizened Holland Bamboo, stripped of much of her glory. This once pristine arch of elegant trees is currently in bad shape. There are huge gaps in the rows and there is urgent need for re-vegetation.
Adding another dimension to the problem is the threat to the lifespan of these special trees by bush fires. One was raging there on Sunday to the grave concern of onlookers.
Is the parish council as worried as I am that this national gem is going down the tubes? Surely, there must be some civic-minded people who care enough to save the imperilled Holland Bamboo.
TRAVELLING ALONG
Ensconced in the luxury of Sandals Whitehouse, I soon forgot about Holland Bamboo. This fabulous beachfront sprawl is a fine jewel in Sandals' crown. Although the name is a misnomer since it has little to do with Whitehouse and more to do with Ackendown, there are many impressive aspects to this property.
For me, the most memorable thing was to witness scores of young men and women walking purposefully as they carried out their duties and the permanent smiles etched on their faces. These employees are well-trained and made the experience that much better.
My next stop was Negril, the place I like to call a national treasure. Tourists were pouring into the properties like they had heard about some freebies being offered.
My stay at one of the Riu properties was fairly pleasant, despite the chaos at the reception area and the unprofessional cleaning staff.
What passes off as entertainment is pathetic. Urgent attention needs to be paid to this area. It's nice that amateurs are being given an opportunity to earn a livelihood, but we should aim to show our visitors another side to entertainment - the professionals.
As I watched the buses off-loading holiday-makers, and visitors roaming the property it became patently clear how much of a lure Jamaica has become for people from all over the world.
So as far as Negril is concerned, the tourism product is intact. It's correct to say it's a booming tourist town. Yes, it needs a little refining here and there but there is plenty to keep our guests engaged and happy there.
SHARING DEVELOPMENT COSTS
It is against that background that I have to take the Negril Chamber of Commerce to task for appearing as hopeless business people who need government's assistance to purchase a fire engine. They were on television recently speaking about the dire situation they are facing.
Here, we have some of the finest properties raking in millions of dollars, sans the burdensome taxes that saddle the Jamaican worker and they cannot seize the idea of pooling their resources to get Negril a functioning fire truck?
The government is responsible for maintaining and upkeeping the fire services and from all accounts it is in shambles right now, at a time when bush fires are raging all over the country.
But one cannot blame those who level strident criticisms at some sectors of society for not appearing to share the economic cost for development.
What will prick the corporate conscience of our hoteliers into making more meaningful contributions to the communities which provide the ambiance and the infrastructure for them to make their hefty living?
TOURISM TAX
Look at the approach to Negril - a broken down round-about which is a receptacle for assorted garbage. Every property in Negril has grounds men - why can't they come together and on a rotating basis have the workers transform these verges into oases of beauty?
Right now we grit our teeth, pay our taxes and live with it. However, if the tourism interests are not careful they will turn a reservoir of goodwill into resentment and bitterness.
Of course, the answer is that government should level a cess on the tourist industry and use this money for beautification, including cleaning the beaches and other infrastructure work that is necessary. Listen to the howls of protest. I have cleared my mail box in anticipation.
Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist who may be reached at denniequill@hotmail.com
