The Editor, Sir:

I refer to your editorial of August 19, and I fully agree and join with you in urging the minister of tourism to capitalise on the goodwill and international recognition which our athletes continue to generate for this island.

I would also like to make a plug for a second national strength worthy of wide endorsement - the excellently executed Emancipation and Independence week-long celebrations.

These two - our performing arts and cultural festivities, and our sporting prowess - must be promoted as prominent tourism drawing cards.

In order to thrive in the highly competitive international tourism market, Jamaica must showcase unique features continuously to draw visitors to our shores who want to find out what makes Jamaica so special.

The 'sun-sea-sand' mantra is no longer original, nor unique.

In addition, recent statistics from the Planning Institute of Jamaica indicate that the average Jamaican living in the top resort parishes does not benefit economically from this style of tourism - a clear indication of its failure to enhance the welfare of the majority of Jamaicans.

A more uplifting, pro-development and sustain-able alternative for tourism is to focus on our strengths in the cultural and performing arts, and sporting events.

I am, etc.,

REECE BRISCOE

reecebriscoe@gmail.com

Kingston