Jamaica Gleaner

ILoveMobay campaign aims to turnaround ailing city

- Janet Silvera/ Senior Gleaner Writer SEE FULL STORY ONLINE AT WWW.JAMAICA-GLEANER.COM

BUOYED BY the universal endorsemen­t of more than 100,000 Jamaicans in a single week, organisers of the ILoveMobay campaign are predicting a major turnaround in the once fading fortunes of the island’s tourism capital.

Launched on February 8, the campaign, which has the full backing of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mayor Homer Davis, Custos Conrad Pitkin, as well as other public and private entities, is aimed at presenting Montego Bay, St James, as the true epicentre for business in the western region, as well as re-establishi­ng the city’s status as the tourism hub of the Caribbean.

“It’s also about creating awareness among the town’s citizens, the parish of St James, the diaspora, and prospectiv­e visitors,” explained the ILoveMobay founder and prominent St James businessma­n Douglas Gordon.

“We believe this campaign could not have come at a better time as is evident by the scores of persons, both local and throughout the diaspora, who have been signing on. It also offers the perfect opportunit­y for residents, whose lives are stitched into the fabric of our once friendly city, to experience the rebirth of Montego Bay’s pride and purpose.”

The campaign also comes against the backdrop of a state of public emergency being declared for St James owing to the out-of-control crime rate.

DAY OF LOVE

Douglas, who is also an executive of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce & Industries, said that today is being declared a ‘Day of Love’ in Montego Bay and will commemorat­e the birth of the nonprofit organisati­on – the ILoveMobay Foundation.

“Residents, visitors, corporate partners, students, and city stakeholde­rs are all invited to demonstrat­e their love for the city of Montego Bay by joining us in this day of togetherne­ss,” he noted.

“This rallying call is for all participan­ts to wear red as it will mark the kick-off campaign for the ILoveMobay Foundation, a not-for-profit entity that has been formed to showcase, celebrate, engender, and drive pride in the city of Montego Bay. The city will also come alive with a series of activities, culminatin­g with a concert at the Old Hospital Park, Gloucester Avenue, at 5:00 this afternoon.”

 ?? PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHE­R THOMAS ?? Members of the ILoveMobay Foundation.
PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHE­R THOMAS Members of the ILoveMobay Foundation.

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