Opposition wants gov't to use tourism earnings to develop resort towns

By Kimone Witter    

 

Opposition spokesperson on Tourism, Senator Janice Allen, is blaming the derelict state of tourism towns on the failure of the government to reinvest more of the earnings from the sector.

 

Ms. Allen says Ocho Rios, Negril, Port Antonio, Montego Bay are in need of major upgrade so people can see and feel the impact of tourism.

 

She highlighted Montego Bay, which she says has broken sidewalks and dirty streets.

 

"If we take Jimmy Cliff Boulevard, for example, it was previously called the Hip Strip, and when it was designed... it was intended to be a place where visitors and Jamaicans alike could see and experience, all sorts of entertainment or shopping or food experiences. But right now, it has not been developed over the years in an organised, modern, fit for purpose type of way, whether it be sidewalks or hanging cable wires and just dereliction," she outlined. 

 

Senator Allen added that the reinvestment of the tourism dollar should include sites such as Norman Manley Boulevard in Westmoreland and Main Street in St. Ann.

 

She said more businesses outside of the hotels will benefit. 

 

"So if, for example, there is a greater demand for more restaurants and entertainment opportunities outside of traditional tourism hotels or tourism establishments like hotels. Then that will lead for more businesses to be developed, whether a new restaurant here or a new entertainment space there. And then the partnership between private and public sector to ensure that we uplift the spaces that we're operating in, is where we would want to get to," she reasoned while speaking Tuesday on TVJ's Smile Jamaica programme.

 

Senator Allen initially raised the issues on Friday during her contribution to the State of the Nation debate in the Upper House. 

 

In the meantime, Senator Allen said tourism can help to drive investments in private underdeveloped and abandoned buildings across the country.

 

She noted that these structures add to urban decay.