Great legacy in tourism
THE EVOLUTION of Jamaica’s tourism sector over the last few decades came about almost by chance, but its development as an industry must be attributed to the foresight and entrepreneurial drive of persons like the late Ralph Robert Smith.
Reflecting on the Ralph Smith I got to know over many years, I can say his was a life well lived. There’s a quote by Chris Grosser that says: “Opportunities don’t happen. You create them,” and I have no doubt that Ralph was aware of this fact as he went about creating the opportunities that led to his success as an astute businessman.
His father and former mayor of Montego Bay, the late A.R. Smith, must have instilled in him a love for country, because while other young men of his time were pulling up roots and replanting them permanently in foreign soil, Ralph Smith explored long enough to get a real feel of what it’s like being an outsider, then returned to the land of his birth.
His contribution to Montego Bay, tourism and his country overall must be seen not just from the point of view of him being a successful businessman, but be measured by his many achievements in the over 50 years that he devoted to
playing his part in moulding tourism into a major pillar of Jamaica’s economy.
He was still a young man when he returned home from a few years abroad and started to make a contribution to tourism by getting involved with a tour company called Village Tours on Gloucester Avenue, now known as Jimmy Cliff Boulevard.
However, that was a stepping stone to bigger things. Smitten by the entrepreneurial spirit, young Ralph seized the opportunity to acquire an existing transport and tour company called Lindo’s Tours, rebranded it as Tropical Tours, and it became history in the making.
He expanded Tropical Tours into one of the largest, if not the largest, ground transport and tour companies dedicated to the tourism industry, with offices in major resort areas.
Ralph Smith was not content to watch tourists landing at the airport or disembarking a cruise ship as his vehicles wait in line offering transportation; he went out and sold his services to major tour companies so that when their customers arrived at our ports, they had designated transport waiting to take them to their destinations.
Tropical Tours would also be on hand to take them in air-conditioned comfort to explore the wonders of the many attractions that help to make Jamaica a destination of choice in the world. Ralph was imbued with a pioneering spirit and was a forerunner in the introduction of air-conditioned buses to ground transportation in tourism.
He was not selfish. He facilitated many ground transport operators aligned to competing companies to earn from group business that he initiated. Ralph’s concern for the average Jamaican also endeared him to other workers in the tourism industry, such as the Ocho Rios Craft Traders, who honoured him for his support.
That was just one of the numerous awards that were bestowed upon Ralph Smith, who was most deserving of the national honour of Commander of the Order of Distinction (CD), bestowed upon him in 2005 by the Government and people of Jamaica.
The Jamaica Tourist Board benefited from his knowledge as a board member, and his contribution to the development of tourism for half a century was also recognised by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, which bestowed its Lifetime Achievement Award upon him, while the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry inducted him into its ‘Wall of Fame’ for dedicated service.
He also believed in giving service unselfishly, and this he did as a justice of the peace and serving at the highest level in such organisations as the SKAL Club, the Rotary Club, Jamaica Association of Tour Operators (JATO), among others, and as a board member of Victoria Mutual Building Society, UGI and Irie FM. There’s no doubt that he has left a great legacy that I know will be carried on, especially by some of his children who have already etched their names in the tourism industry.
Ralph Smith was a very humble human being, kind to those around him, including his staff, past and present, who have been speaking in glowing terms of the role model they have lost.
Nevertheless, on an occasion such as this, none bear the loss more than family and close friends, and on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and its agencies, and the entire tourism fraternity, I offer my deepest sympathies to his wife Joy, his children; other relatives and friends who now mourn the absence of his presence in their lives. May God continue to bless and provide you with comfort during this very difficult time.