Falmouth business sector gears up for cruise ship arrival
Published:Sunday | February 13, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Many businesspersons in the parish of Trelawny are eagerly anticipating the benefits to be derived from the first cruise ship's call at the multibillion-dollar cruise-ship pier in Falmouth on Thursday. Among the groups buzzing with excitement is the newly formed Trelawny Art and Craft and Entertainment Association, which comprises some 300 of the parish's craft vendors.
"We are prepared spiritually, mentally, and physically," said Joy Laesch, president of the association. She told Sunday Business that the group was formed four months ago to bring some cohesiveness to what was happening with the sector in the town.
"Persons from all walks of life are now seeing the benefits of the trade. There is going to be big demand for local craft items," she said in anticipation of the passengers, who will arrive on February 17 aboard the Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas out of Galveston, Texas.
Formal training
Laesch said her members had been making their own preparations, which includes formal training, with lessons in business and entrepreneurship covering how to manage a business, balance the books, marketing, and customer care.
She said the vendors would be located on the pier, in the Albert George Market, as well as in the square. Laesch said the vendors had organised themselves, with some being registered to do business.
Sunday Business has also learnt that the vendors plan to conduct business in an orderly manner, and a rotation system had been put in place so that 100 craft vendors would sell their wares when the first ship docks on Thursday. Another set will do business when the 6,000-passenger megaliner Oasis of the Seas makes its first call in March.
Marjorie Love, a dressmaker, told Sunday Business that she was ready to accommodate business and already had made shirts and swimwear to sell to the visitors.
"I think it is a great opportunity for us here," she said. "I'm prepared to sell shirts and swimsuits, all in Jamaican colours," she said.
Meanwhile, 54-year-old Bin Casmi-Williams, who has been doing wood carving since he was a boy, a trade he learnt from his father, is also ready to grasp the opportunity.
"I feel very excited ... and also to be part of the association," he said, explaining that he had already made craft items for sale.
Chamber of Commerce's view
Richard Bourke, Trelawny Chamber of Commerce president, said some businesses were making preparations to go after the opportunities.
He said some new tours and restaurants had come on stream to capitalise on the potential new business. Bourke said there were also persons who planned to offer duty-free shopping for coffee and rum on the pier.
But not all businesses have embraced what is happening.
"Some established businesses have been slow to adapt," Bourke said, indicating they had decided on a wait-and-see approach. However, he expressed confidence that they would come on-board.
Last year, Jamaica pulled in 909,619 cruise passengers, a decline over the previous year of 1.4 per cent, with 139 ship calls at the ports, representing a decline of 13.7 per cent. According to data from the Jamaica Tourist Board, estimated earnings from cruise-passenger arrivals were US$75.5 million for the period January-December 2010, representing a decline of 2.8 per cent for the corresponding period January-December 2009.