STEWART
POOR INFRASTRUCTURE is the main reason for the delayed US$25 million upgrading of Dragon Bay Resort in Portland, said Sandal's chairman Gordon Butch Stewart.
Responding to recent concerns about the resort raised by Port Antonio's Mayor Rupert Kelly, the Sandals' chairman said yesterday that the poor state of Portland's infrastructure makes it virtually impossible to successfully market the upscale product contemplated for Dragon Bay.
A business model has been developed for the resort and has been awaiting implementation for two years, Mr. Stewart said. However the existing road network leading into and around Portland is deplorable and incompatible with the quality product that is planned for Dragon Bay.
The distance to Dragon Bay from Sangster International Airport, which is the main airport for tourist arrivals, makes air transfers through the Ken Jones Aerodrome a practical way of moving guests to and from the hotel, he said. However, after almost three years of promises by the Airports Authority to extend the runway and install lights at the aerodrome, this has not been done.
Inadequate social facilities and an unclean town are also major deterrents to investment in the parish, he said.
