Dear Editor,
A recent USA Today poll published in the ONLINE OBSERVER listed Puerto Rico as the #1 choice in Caribbean destinations, topping a list of 10 countries.
Jamaica did not make the list, and many of your readers continue to ask 'why?', questioning the accuracy and representation of this recent poll.
I'm sure this poll was based on what tourists (in particular Americans) look for in choosing a destination -- value for money, safety & security, beauty, overall experience and ease. Puerto Rico topped the list, and I can see why.
Firstly it is a US controlled State, located close to the mainland -- it is accessible and extremely easy to get to. For the American traveller, it is almost like having your own beach island, not too far away, especially for quick and easy winter escapes.
It is also a beautiful island, with rich history, culture, and lots of options for the visitor. As for why Jamaica wasn't listed, we need to think again.
We often forget that destinations these days are so much more than beach, sun & sand, at least to most people. Security and peace of mind are also key factors.
Hustling, and hassling of visitors is virtually non-existent in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico also has a vibrant cruise ship industry, with many ships stopping over. The island has hundreds of attractions besides the obvious beach resorts, you'll find historic walking areas, museums and parks, kayaking, kite boarding, snorkelling, cruises, sport camps, eco tours, you name it, not to mention a vibrant night life in the main areas.
So while Jamaica welcomed 2 million visitors in 2013, Puerto Rico welcomed over 8 million. Although the country is much bigger than Jamaica in terms of size, its population of 3.7 million is only slightly higher than ours.
Other islands included in the top 10 list included all small (tiny) islands, which are also well-known picks for travellers -- St Marten, Dominica, Barbados, Curacao, Bonaire, Grenada, Tobago, Anguilla, St John.
With all Jamaica has going for it, the diverse beauty of our island, the unique culture and Jamaican vibe, our cuisine, and our people, who continue to excel internationally in so many areas, we really do have a lot more work to be done to improve our destination prospects, and capitalise on this very lucrative tourism industry.
There are so many options for development and tours -- including Kingston/Port Royal -- creativity is key. We also have to strive to keep our visitors interested in coming back.
P Chin
See the complete list as reported by OBSERVER ONLINE.
A recent USA Today poll published in the ONLINE OBSERVER listed Puerto Rico as the #1 choice in Caribbean destinations, topping a list of 10 countries.
Jamaica did not make the list, and many of your readers continue to ask 'why?', questioning the accuracy and representation of this recent poll.
I'm sure this poll was based on what tourists (in particular Americans) look for in choosing a destination -- value for money, safety & security, beauty, overall experience and ease. Puerto Rico topped the list, and I can see why.
Firstly it is a US controlled State, located close to the mainland -- it is accessible and extremely easy to get to. For the American traveller, it is almost like having your own beach island, not too far away, especially for quick and easy winter escapes.
It is also a beautiful island, with rich history, culture, and lots of options for the visitor. As for why Jamaica wasn't listed, we need to think again.
We often forget that destinations these days are so much more than beach, sun & sand, at least to most people. Security and peace of mind are also key factors.
Hustling, and hassling of visitors is virtually non-existent in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico also has a vibrant cruise ship industry, with many ships stopping over. The island has hundreds of attractions besides the obvious beach resorts, you'll find historic walking areas, museums and parks, kayaking, kite boarding, snorkelling, cruises, sport camps, eco tours, you name it, not to mention a vibrant night life in the main areas.
So while Jamaica welcomed 2 million visitors in 2013, Puerto Rico welcomed over 8 million. Although the country is much bigger than Jamaica in terms of size, its population of 3.7 million is only slightly higher than ours.
Other islands included in the top 10 list included all small (tiny) islands, which are also well-known picks for travellers -- St Marten, Dominica, Barbados, Curacao, Bonaire, Grenada, Tobago, Anguilla, St John.
With all Jamaica has going for it, the diverse beauty of our island, the unique culture and Jamaican vibe, our cuisine, and our people, who continue to excel internationally in so many areas, we really do have a lot more work to be done to improve our destination prospects, and capitalise on this very lucrative tourism industry.
There are so many options for development and tours -- including Kingston/Port Royal -- creativity is key. We also have to strive to keep our visitors interested in coming back.
P Chin
See the complete list as reported by OBSERVER ONLINE.