Jamaica Labour Party tourism plan a good idea, says JHTA boss

Published in the Jamaica Gleaner: Saturday | August 4, 2007

The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) is in favour with the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) election manifesto plans to go after the higher-end tourism market and to bring cruise shipping and duty-free shopping to Port Royal.

JHTA President Wayne Cummings told The Gleaner Power 106 News Centre that the market has already been open to new entrants, particularly the Spanish.

"The JHTA supports anything called job creation in the country," Mr. Cummings said.

"For many years, Jamaica has been seen as a premiere tourist destination but the country is currently battling falling room rates," he said.

Culture

Mr. Cummings said Port Royal has a lot of history and one of the things that the country has not done enough of is to take advantage of our culture.

"Jamaica has for far too long been a destination of rooms rather than a destination of attractions," he said. "If you have strong powerful attraction, rooms will sell themselves."

Mr. Cummings said the Opposition is onto something good and the JHTA would be in support, no matter who raised it.