Gourzong
WESTERN BUREAU:
AT A time when deplorable road conditions and financial constraints have put a dent into the earnings of operators of tourist attractions, a survey of roads which have been impacting negatively on the operations of those facilities in Western Jamaica, began this week.
Over 60 per cent of members of the Association of Jamaica Attractions Limited (AJAL) are based in the Western end of the island and the poor road conditions have been acting as a major deterrent to visitors who wish to visit those sites. Making the disclosure, John Gourzong, President of AJAL points out that the survey will also be carried out by its members in other parts of the island. Tourism Minister Portia Simpson Miller requested the study, after complaints to her by members of the association. "Under the AJAL audit of these roads, we have sent out a directive to our members to specify if they are having a problem with the roads, which roads are of concern, and where are the problem-spots," said Mr. Gourzong. "We are hoping to pass on that information to the government within a week." Mr. Gourzong said that where he operates the Martha Brae attraction in Trelawny, the rut-riddled condition of the roads has been a sore point for several years, and a similar picture exists for operators of the Mayfield Falls.
The failure of the authorities to correct the deficient road conditions has also drawn criticisms from Dalkeith Hanna, one of the directors of the 'Croydon in the Mountains Attraction'. "Visitors and locals complain about the quality of the roads, especially the bad sections approaching Cambridge from Bickersteth," Mr. Hanna told The Gleaner. "Venting their disgust at the problem, roads were blocked for two days by residents in the year 2000, and this year it was blocked again when residents dug trenches across the road protesting against the poor road conditions," Hanna said. "I even had to write Member of Parliament, Derrick Kellier, on two occasions, about the state of the roads. I notice the National Works Agency has now started some repairs."
The findings from the study of the roads in communities where attractions are located, as well as other vexed issues dogging AJAL's members are to be discussed at a meeting between the organisation and Minister Simpson. That meeting will reportedly be held within the next 30 days.
AJAL is also expressing concerns that its members have over the past been treated as the fourth cousins in the Hospitality Industry, and the group is demanding that its needs be given priority attention by the authorities this year.
The association is lobbying for the establishment of a credit window where owners and operators of attractions and tour companies can access financing at a reasonable rate, for the expansion of their business and for the establishment of new attractions. Such a move AJAL emphasises, will kick-start that section of the hospitality sector.
Meanwhile, Chacka Blue Adventure, which operates horseback, jeep and river tubing tours out of Negril and Montego Bay, is citing the downturn in the tourist market in the wake of terrorist attacks in the US. According to them, it is taking a toll on the business of tour companies and attractions. Operator of Chacka Blue Adventure, John Byles, notes that 75 per cent of its clientele is from the United States and there was a marked decline in those visitors late last year. "September 11 was the biggest blow we received. It was a major setback and we are playing catch up right now," remarked Mr. Byles.
