THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE UPCOMING ICC Cricket World Cup gives Jamaica a singular opportunity that it may never again receive: the chance at redemption of its character.
I read in Friday's paper that 2005 was the best tourism year ever. While this may be so it has been my view that Jamaica has always under-performed in this arena.
I challenge the potential PNP party leaders, the new leadership of the JLP and all Jamaica to visit with me a scenario that could bring unprecedented growth and development to Jamaica.
Imagine for a moment a peaceful Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine (KSA&C): A place where tourists can walk about without fear (obviously for this to be a reality, Jamaicans would have to be able to walk without fear) and interact with people and the true culture of Jamaica. Jamaica is known worldwide for its culture and its sports. Imagine showcasing this in these three parishes.
KSA&C POTENTIAL
I have heard much banter about a million stopover tourists in Jamaica, I ask you to imagine one million stopover tourists in the KSA&C! This may seem unfathomable at this time, but consider this: The KSA&C is the cultural, historical, sporting and political capital of Jamaica. Every tourist who travels wishes to visit the capital of the country he/she visits. All the fine galleries, theatres, dancehalls, stadiums and arenas exist in this region.
Imagine a situation where tourists feel free to visit Passa Passa, Port Royal as well as Devon House and Bob Marley Museum. The KSA&C is also a gateway to Jamaica's ecological frontier in the Blue Mountains. Imagine planned hikes to Hollywell and the peak from Papine.
Now imagine the level of employment, infrastructure and business opportunity that would be required to host a million tourists a year in the KSA&C. Imagine the spin-offs to the rest of the country from this scenario, as people leave the the KSA&C and inevitably journey throughout the rest of the country.
Now all of this cannot be achieved in a year. But it is a goal and it is achievable. The Cricket World Cup can be a start in that direction and one which, if managed properly can lead to the million tourist target.
The single largest obstacle to this is not crime, though crime is the single largest symptom of the obstacle. The largest obstacle is the absence of visionary leadership which rallies all
people to a common vision.
No matter how self-interested one might be, a more peaceful and prosperous KSA&C benefits all.
I am, etc.....
BRUCE W. McKNIGHT
bruce_mcknight@hotmail.com
Toronto, Canada
Via Go-Jamaica
