Roy Sanford
, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
CRUISE SHIP passenger arrivals to Montego Bay hit a record high on Wednesday, totalling over 300,000 since January, as compared to 170,000 for the same period in 2002.
However, while officials praised the achievement, they have pointed out that Montego Bay needs a bigger pier, a signature attraction, and that the city must be kept clean in order for it to maintain the growth in arrivals.
David Lindo, Chairman of the Cruise Ship Committee of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce, told journalists at the Chamber's annual luncheon that a cruise ship had to turn back last Sunday because it could not find a place to berth.
"Unfortunately, there was another ship in berth and since it was unsafe for moving passengers in their life boats (from the ship) it had to turn around," he said.
He revealed that 'major plans' were under way to improve the harbour and when completed at least three mega-ships will be able to dock at the same time.
BIGGEST DRAWBACK
Mr. Lindo noted that the lack of a signature attraction in Montego Bay is 'our biggest drawback at this time'. "We have a lot of small attractions but what we need is a signature attraction, a Dolphin Cove or something like that down here."
He pointed out that Dunn's River Falls is the main reason why so many cruise ship passengers go to Ocho Rios in St. Ann. "There is no other reason why Ocho Rios get 700,000 (cruise ship passengers) and we get 300,000," he argued.
"We have facilities that are just as good but Dunn's River Falls is a major attraction. As a matter of fact, 30 per cent of cruise ship passengers that come to Montego Bay, leave here and go to Dunn's River Falls."
At the luncheon, which took place on the cruise ship Carnival Conquest, Dr. Horace Chang, Member of Parliament for St. James North West, called on the business community to ensure that the money earned from the increased arrivals remain in Montego Bay. "Tourism is the brightest spot on the horizon. The industry needs to be protected and the money re-invested in the local communities," he said.
Mr. Chang said that he would be meeting with the business community and the St. James Parish Council to explore ways to keep Montego Bay clean.
He said: "We are going to look at ways we can go in the New Year in a new mood and generate the kind of momentum we need to keep Montego Bay clean and beautiful."
He also said the city must study ways to cater to local visitors and not only foreigners.
