Chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Godfrey Dyer says he has high expectations that the presence of the security forces in St James will remain strong and there will be no fallout in tourist arrivals subsequent to the end of the State of Emergency in the parish.
“Bookings still look great. And it’s going to be great,” and upbeat Dyer told Access Jamaica. “There are a number of things that will make it great. Great promotions, but it doesn’t matter how much you promote you need seats, you need air seats. We have air seats, more than adequate air seats, thanks to the Jamaica Tourist Board and JAMVAC. They have made those provisions and with willing people to come, safe destination, all the seats you require, we can only go up.”
According to Dyer, who is a veteran hotelier, and a former police officer, he had hoped the yearlong enhanced security measures in the parish which ended on January 31, would have been extended for another three or six months.
“One year ago, Montego Bay was becoming the murder capital; one year later Montego Bay is regarded as the safest resort town. The State of Emergency worked,” Mr. Dyer said.
“Because of the deficiencies in the police force, they needed time to rebuild; give them three or six more months, because the Commissioner asked for it. I think they should have gotten it, but unfortunately, they didn’t. We just have to pray and hope that the tightness of the security will continue to keep Montego bay as a safe city,” he added.
In January 2018 when the State of Emergency was announced for Montego Bay by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Mr Dyer had told the media he was confident that the security measures, would have a positive effect on the island’s 13 other parishes.
The TEF chairman also contended at the time that the overseas public relations companies which were contracted by the Jamaica Tourist Board, coupled with the word-of-mouth promotion of the island’s huge number of repeat visitors which stands at 42 percent would have served to counter any fallout in visitor arrivals.
AccessJamaica.com is a feature of Caribnewsroom