News

Several historic buildings in Falmouth, Trelawny, are to be restored and others to receive a facelift through the joint effort of Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises and IDEA Orlando, Florida, in the United States.

This was disclosed by chief executive officer (CEO) of IDEA, Hugh Darley, whose company is responsible for leading the Falmouth restoration effort at a symposium held recently in New York.

Darley also cited other developments that would take place in the area, including construction of the multimillion cruise-ship pier and retail shops; the development of low- to middle-income residential properties; and expansion of the popular 'bend-down' market.

Range of benefits

Vice-president for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, John Tercek, said the restoration project, currently under way, would not only assist in attracting tourists to Falmouth as early as December this year with the arrival of Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Sea , but would also share the history of Falmouth and its surrounding areas with the world.

In his remarks, diaspora board member for the north-east US, Patrick Beckford, said he was enthused at the idea of getting Jamaicans in the diaspora involved and hoped that this would be the beginning of a trend where all future investment opportunities are opened up to every Jamaican, no matter where they reside.

He said the staging of the symposium was very important, as it gives members of the diaspora an opportunity to partner with investors or to directly invest in their parish and country.

The symposium was organised by the north-east diaspora invest-ment committee in the US to give Jamaicans and former residents of Trelawny residing in New York an update on the construction of the multimillion dollar cruise-ship pier and efforts to restore the historic town of Falmouth.

Construction of the new pier, restoration of the town of Falmouth and the multimillion dollar Harmony Cove Resort are among a number of new investments that will take place in Trelawny over the next 10 years.

The restoration project will not only assist in attracting tourists to Falmouth, but also share its history with the world.