The Editor, Sir:

After being bypassed and ignored for ages, it now seems that Portland, the Cinderella parish, will finally be getting some help. Entrepreneurs from the private sector, led by the affable Michael Lee Chin and Butch Stewart, seem set on doing what government has seemingly been incapable of doing for decades: positioning the parish for its rightful place in the tourism industry.

Amidst all the exciting possibilities for the parish, the question that immediately begs itself is: will the parish be ready for this development? There are positive signals being generated in this regard, with a participatory approach being adopted by the main players, instead of the top-down approach so consistently foisted upon the citizenry. And, this is most commendable for it seeks to involve the people in the process of transforming sleepy Port Antonio into a vibrant and successful resort. Yet, there are challenges which must be addressed by the populace, and at an early time.

Create more feasible plan

I do not think the parish is ready for the new wave of investment that will result in the creation of scores of jobs and opportunities for its people. Parish leaders from both the private and public sectors should have already kick-started a training plan for a variety of occupations in the hospitality industry. And farmers should have already initiated an action plan, designed to produce most of the food and fruit that will be needed in the hotels to be built.

Although there is a HEART training facility in Buff Bay, it needs to be expanded to train more locals in hospitality skills. The high schools in the parish should have already sensitised their older students about the opportunities and encouraged them to enrol in training programmes, some of which are seriously under-utilised at present. The facility in Buff Bay is not enough, however, and serious consideration must be given to opening a full-time hospitality training facility in Port Antonio itself.

I am, etc.,

BASIL STEWART

Hart Hill, Buff Bay PO

Portland