The Portland Chamber of Commerce (PCC) is to organise a tour of Port Antonio and its environs in the wake of criticism from the local business sector, which has severely criticised the deplorable conditions at the resort town.

The tour could take place as early as next Tuesday and, according to PCC President Vassel Brown, the chamber will be utilising all its power to ensure that the image of Port Antonio is restored. He said the chamber will be working alongside the Portland Parish Council to restore public order and to also rid the town of its painful image.

Scorn and disdain

"The basic infrastructure of the parish has broken down," said Mr. Brown. "People are beginning to look at Portland with scorn and disdain. The road infrastructure leaves a lot to be desired and, despite the heavy criticism, nothing has been done. The future of the parish is hanging in limbo. We will no longer sit by and allow this spectacle of a parish to go to waste."

Mr. Brown said the parish has its natural attributes and should not be struggling as it is, considering the fact that it was once the cradle of tourism.

The deplorable state of the roadway has also dampened the spirits of many tour bus operators who have withdrawn their services to some attraction sites.

Mr. Brown said the purpose of the tour is to get a clear picture of what needs to be done to improve the physical and social image of the town and its environs. The tour party is to also include Mayor of Port Antonio Benny White, the police, business operators, representatives from the local Jamaica Tourist Board, and other local interests.