Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer

Seaga ... recommends preparation of tourism workers.

OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:

Distinguished fellow at the University of the West Indies and former Prime Minister Edward Seaga is warning that there could be some problems for Jamaica's tourist industry arising from the current 'Spanish hotel invasion'.

He said while the increase in hotel rooms is important for the growth of the industry, which represents Jamaica's future, there are other critical areas of development that must be given priority attention.

Mr. Seaga said two major problems could arise - insufficient infrastructure to handle the growth in room accommodation and a language problem with the inability of some hotel workers to communicate with visitors speaking Spanish or other foreign languages.

Mr. Seaga was speaking on Saturday night at a special dinner in his honour at the Royal Plantation Resort in Ocho Rios.

During the event, hosted by Sandals chairman Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, Mr. Seaga was honoured for more than 40 years of public service in Jamaica.

Establish Language training centres

The former Prime Minister recommended that foreign language training centres be established along the north coast to help prepare tourism workers to overcome the likely language problem.

He said if there is difficulty in establishing language training schools on the north coast, then efforts should be made to expand Kingston-based schools into the area.

"One can only imagine what is going to happen when a large number of Jamaicans who work in a hotel are confronted by a large number of Spaniards who are guests and to what extent the language is going to be translated in a manner that will enable us to understand what is taking place." he stated.

Earlier, Mr. Stewart praised Mr. Seaga for spearheading the establishment of a large number of cultural, educational and financial institutions, which he said were catalysts for Jamaica's development.