Susan Smith, Staff Reporter
BAUXITE AND alumina producer, Jamalco, is proposing to introduce an excursion train, 'The Clarendon Express', as an alternative vision for tourism in Jamaica.
The Clarendon Express would encompass a train ride on the 20-mile long Jamalco railway system. The journey covers the distance from Rocky Point to Breadnut Valley, Clarendon, and will consist of several site tour stops along the way.
The programme aims to showcase the Jamaican bauxite and alumina industries and cultural and natural attraction to visitors and locals.
Location manager for Jamalco, Alberto Fabrini, announced the proposed project at the American Chamber of Commerce of Jamaica (AMCHAM) 'Good Morning Jamaica' breakfast held on Wednesday at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston.
He invited the business leaders to identify areas of opportunities for investment in the project and welcomed their resources.
Jamalco is injecting a ceiling sum of J$31 million (US$500,000) in cash over a three year period into the programme.
"We estimate the first phase of the investment to cost $US2.5 million," stated Mr. Fabrini. This sum is expected to be raised by investors in the programme.
He said the project which is a Clarendon sustainable tourism programme, should be viewed as the company's effort to create social and economic stability for the communities around Jamalco, the parish of Clarendon and ultimately Jamaica.
"The main focus of the business is to have a sustainable case to show and integrate into the community. We will not benefit from this project financially," he said.
"Jamalco is not in the hotel business," said Mr. Fabrini, who pointed out that the project and will extend Jamaica's tourism beyond sun and sand.
BENEFITS
A fixed date has not been set for the start of the project. However, Mr. Fabrini solicited the input of the community, the government and business leaders to further develop and sponsor the programme.
Mr. Fabrini foresees the project bringing education, training, business and employment to the South Coast. The project will also bring sustainable environmental development to this region of Jamaica.
Jamalco's existing facilities which include the Whitney Estate, the Halse Hall great house, and the railway lines will be used to create the project. The location manager envisions tourist tours, school tours, video attractions, snack bars revolving around the concept.
Although the company has not yet worked out how it will get foreign visitors in large volume to that point of the island, Mr. Fabrini expressed confidence in the Jamaican entrepreneurs to find ways, and welcomed their participation.
He said the attraction first had to appeal to the locals and build its market from there.
