Dear Editor,
Yesterday President Barack Obama announced the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba. He declared an end to America's "outdated approach" to the 'communist' island in a historic shift aimed at ending a half-century of Cold War enmity and I am in celebration. Finally!
I have never been to Cuba, but have experienced the culture from stories Cubans have shared and other friends who have visited. It is a beautiful place to behold, I am told. So, after I got excited about this announcement I began to think about our tourism sector in Jamaica. Even with the embargo, Cuba was able to stand on its own sand and soil. So can you imagine what will happen to their economy when it is lifted?
I did a mental comparison and Cuba seems to be winning in the tourism sector. They also have white sand beaches, a rich culture, cheaper rates, and not to mention their crime rate. Do they have a crime rate? Yes, Jamaica has a lot to offer, but it is on the decline. If you do not visit the tourist attractions you do not get to experience much of our culture. We have little time to change this, and we need to hasten our footsteps and make Jamaica the number one destination in the Caribbean. It is not a competition, as each island has its own unique experience to offer, but bear in mind what happened when Digicel came to Jamaica -- we gave them a try.
What will we do when the tourists decide to give them a try and this may continue for an extended period? What will happen to the hundreds of craft vendors during this drought? They are already experiencing a decline in their sales. We need to start being tourists in our own island and help to market these items and purchase them.
Tourism is one of our main products and main income-earner of foreign exchange. We need to find a way to ensure that we not only offer top-class services, but that across Jamaica, from the man who sells beaded necklaces in Fern Gully to the owner of a cafe in Irish Town, everyone and everything is marketed by the tourist board.
As Jamaicans, we too have to try and vacation here at home.There are many places on the island that some people have only heard of. We too have to give back and help build our country. We have a vacation spot for everyone looking to have a unique experience here on our lovely island. It is not only the giant hotels that are vacation destinations. Tourists also want to climb trees at Mayfair Falls in Negril and ride horses in the Blue Mountains, jump off in Blue Hole, St Ann, watch the donkey races in Negril, wake up at Liberty Hill Great House, and watch the sun set at Frenchman's Cove in Portland.
Now I want to vacation here at home and truly support local businesses in Jamaica.
Dee Hunt
bedeeinspired@gmail.com
With Cuba/US relations on the mend,
our tourism sector needs to be boosted...now!
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Yesterday President Barack Obama announced the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba. He declared an end to America's "outdated approach" to the 'communist' island in a historic shift aimed at ending a half-century of Cold War enmity and I am in celebration. Finally!
I have never been to Cuba, but have experienced the culture from stories Cubans have shared and other friends who have visited. It is a beautiful place to behold, I am told. So, after I got excited about this announcement I began to think about our tourism sector in Jamaica. Even with the embargo, Cuba was able to stand on its own sand and soil. So can you imagine what will happen to their economy when it is lifted?
I did a mental comparison and Cuba seems to be winning in the tourism sector. They also have white sand beaches, a rich culture, cheaper rates, and not to mention their crime rate. Do they have a crime rate? Yes, Jamaica has a lot to offer, but it is on the decline. If you do not visit the tourist attractions you do not get to experience much of our culture. We have little time to change this, and we need to hasten our footsteps and make Jamaica the number one destination in the Caribbean. It is not a competition, as each island has its own unique experience to offer, but bear in mind what happened when Digicel came to Jamaica -- we gave them a try.
What will we do when the tourists decide to give them a try and this may continue for an extended period? What will happen to the hundreds of craft vendors during this drought? They are already experiencing a decline in their sales. We need to start being tourists in our own island and help to market these items and purchase them.
Tourism is one of our main products and main income-earner of foreign exchange. We need to find a way to ensure that we not only offer top-class services, but that across Jamaica, from the man who sells beaded necklaces in Fern Gully to the owner of a cafe in Irish Town, everyone and everything is marketed by the tourist board.
As Jamaicans, we too have to try and vacation here at home.There are many places on the island that some people have only heard of. We too have to give back and help build our country. We have a vacation spot for everyone looking to have a unique experience here on our lovely island. It is not only the giant hotels that are vacation destinations. Tourists also want to climb trees at Mayfair Falls in Negril and ride horses in the Blue Mountains, jump off in Blue Hole, St Ann, watch the donkey races in Negril, wake up at Liberty Hill Great House, and watch the sun set at Frenchman's Cove in Portland.
Now I want to vacation here at home and truly support local businesses in Jamaica.
Dee Hunt
bedeeinspired@gmail.com
With Cuba/US relations on the mend,
our tourism sector needs to be boosted...now!
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