Complacency is not an option – Bartlett

AS JAMAICA welcomed Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest and largest vessel, the Carnival Horizon, the country’s minister of tourism, Edmund Bartlett, is warning that complacency is not an option.

Addressing an intimate group of cruise tourism experts during the ship’s inaugural call at the Ocho Rios port on October 2, the tourism minister argued that the field was so competitive, the island must be cognisant that one mistake could be very costly.

The ship docked with some 6,500 persons.

“We have to be ahead of the curve in terms of the experience that we provide. We must always be able to enable a value proposition that is unmatched – and the good news is that Ocho Rios and Jamaica is doing just that,” he contended.

He however, argued that Jamaica has to ensure that there is a concomitant upgrading of its tourism infrastructure in keeping with global trends, and to, as far as is possible, stay ahead of its competitors.

“Stakeholders within Jamaica seaports, in particular, cannot afford to be complacent,” he stated.

The Carnival Horizon made its inaugural call on Jamaica approximately one year after it made its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean.

According to the ship’s captain Luigi de Angelis, he is looking forward to making fortnightly trips to the island. He lauded the port managers for lifting the standard of the facilities.

For Bartlett, the presence of the Carnival Horizon brings perhaps the largest vessel to come into the island’s waters on a routine basis. “That is going to add some value to our destination. That is going to add income to a large number of people in the community and we know we are prepared for it,” he added.

He noted that the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) have played integral roles in the redevelopment and transformation of the port, which he said is set for future expansion.

ENHANCED EXPERIENCE

“We have done a lot of preparation by way of infrastructure development, and the TEF has worked very closely with the Port Authority and with UDC in helping to build out infrastructure, to enable the portside experiences that are so important for the port of call to be profitable for all,” the minister said.

In concurring, president and CEO at the Port Authority of Jamaica, Professor Gordon Shirley said the enhancements and expansion at the port were in response to the feedback and reviews from guests, as it was crucial to the agency that the infrastructure of ports within resort towns be improved to guarantee a more enriching visitor experience.

“The Port Authority of Jamaica has always placed great emphasis on the reviews and information we have received about the guests’ reaction to our terminal, and over the past few years, in response, a number of changes have been made, including the upgrade of the main terminal, the Turtle River Roads, the fishing village,” Professor Shirley said.

“Ocho Rios for us has been the most exciting port. We are excited about the future for Ocho Rios. We are talking about making Ocho Rios even more commodious as well as even more exciting for larger ships to come in,” he said.