Lucrative dawn on the horizon for Falmouth – Bartlett
WESTERN BUREAU: TOURISM MINISTER Edmund Bartlett on Thursday declared that a new dawn was on the horizon for the town of Falmouth in Trelawny as he announced that the popular township is to benefit from approximately J$1.1 billion in investment.
Bartlett, who was giving the main address at the launch of the inaugural staging of the Falmouth Heritage Exposition, in Water Square, said in the township, which is home to the nation’s most vibrant cruise shipping pier, that the transformation of Falmouth has already begun.
“This will see this wonderful Georgian Town transformed into a premier Caribbean Destination,” said Bartlett. “To date, the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has spent some $190 million on projects here in Falmouth.”
Bartlett said that the longterm future of Falmouth is quite bright in terms of planned investments as millions of dollars are projected for a number of projects to include, the proposed artisan village.
“I can reveal to you that J$1.1 billion is on stream for projects here in Falmouth. This includes the artisan village at the old Hampden Wharf,” noted Bartlett. “My timeline for the completion of the projects (the artisan village) is 2018.”
GEORGIAN HERITAGE
In speaking to Falmouth’s readiness to embrace investment, Bartlett spoke glowingly of the town’s rich Georgian heritage, which has made it one of the nation’s heritage sites.
“Falmouth’s rich history makes it a major tourism asset that we can leverage to increase the number of heritage visitors to our shores,” stated Bartlett. “The Government will be leveraging the heritage experience in Falmouth.”
In making it clear that the Government wants the residents of Falmouth to be partners in the plan to develop their town, Bartlett said that he wants the residents to embrace hospitality as a key component in the bid to entice and embrace investors.
“While the Government is investing millions to enhance Falmouth, we need you, the residents, the business owners, and the local authorities to play your part to make your town a welcoming one,” said Bartlett. “This is something that we will have to do together.”
The Falmouth Heritage Exposition was developed as a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Tourism, the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, the Tourism Product and Development Company, the TEF, alongside local stakeholders, who are part of the Sustainable Destination Alliance of the Americas initiative.