The Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Tourism, is placing special emphasis on developing Falmouth as the ideal Jamaican tourist destination.
At a recent meeting with Niu Qingbao, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Jamaica, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett presented him with a copy of the book, Fascinating Falmouth. The book was written by Jackson Town, Trelawny born, Fay Pickersgill. She is the former director of tourism and outgoing Ambassador to China.
Just recently, Minister Bartlett announced that an artisan village will be built in the former Hampden Wharf building now on the Falmouth Pier complex. This will further enhance Falmouth’s tourism product.
The town has recently undergone road resurfacing and a new market is being built on Market Street. The pier itself is due for an expansion soon.
Still, residents claim that they are not seeing the benefits from the cruise ships and the thousands of visitors they bring each week. Whatever development the government plans must include facilitating the developing of attractions by private interests in and around the town itself. It seems developing attractions are now restricted to the Falmouth Pier property.
If attractions are not developed inside the parish (outside the port property), then visitors will have no choice but to stay on the pier complex. Then, Trelawny parish will continue to reap minimal benefits.
How about being different and go big with something like this to the west of the pier: http://lhdi-architects.com/myportfolio/falmouth-wharf-jamaica/
Artisans villages are great but travelers get wary of these thing because they are at every Caribbean destination. I think what was designed would be great to have and throw in an aquarium while you are at it. People not only want to buy things but they want to see and experience things as well. I believe the above would be a great add for Falmouth and would also provide employment. Additionally, a boardwalk and/or walking path from the pier along the coastline would be a plus as well. Not only would this provide some night life but cruise ships may want to stay until after dark so visitors can enjoy the luminous lagoon close by. While this is a good gesture from the minister they need to thnk holistically and add some big attractions so even the locals can make use of it. Look how many locals enjoy Dunn’s River Falls. If things are built with the locals in mind then they will be more sustainable. Lets use Downtown Disney or even the Baltimore Harbor as inspiration.
I have stated before that, the way the port is designed and being developed, tourists will cruise into Falmouth Port, never leave the property, and leave Jamaica believing that they have]visited Falmouth. If that happens, we will see even less benefits to the town than the little we now see. The beneficiaries will be the developers of the pier and those who have the huge capital and crucial inside contacts necessary to take advantage of the very few opportunities to establish a business inside the complex.
Don, some good points. I believe Falmouth has the greatest potential in terms of growth offerings. I have lived and travelled all over the U.S. and see how they manage their waterfronts. Most recently St. Petersburg Florida and to a lesser extent Tampa. People want to be on these waterfronts. I was in St. Pete in December and all I could do was wish someone from Jamaica would make a visit and see how it is done. This could be an alternative to Ochi and Mobay, or at least something else people could do.
By the way, a lot of cruise ship passengers are more than just buying trinkets and stuff from Artisans, even though it is important for the local economy but Artisan Villages to me is not a compelling reason to leave the port. There are a lot of young people on the ships that are more into the club and entertainment scene and they would enjoy this setting more. Bear in mind, they are getting bombarded with vendors on the ship selling their wares anyway and seeing something different while on shore would be a plus. They need to be engaged while on shore especially if they are not interested in being carted away on an excursion. It would be nice if the ministry can get their hands on the Cruise Line’s survey data so they can see what it is the cruise customers really want vs. just pushing what the government thinks down their throats.
Bottom line it is the customer needs and wants that will drive the offerings not a bunch of people selling the same stuff. Once those needs and wants are identified then we can set up the destination to meet them and that would bode well for the long term employment prospects of the people. Wouldn’t it be fun to have three great cruise offerings (Mobay, Ochi & Falmouth) lined up so close to each other that on any given day passengers could experience all and locals themselves could patronized these offerings.
Whew! Such a long response. I wonder if this site could set up an idea bank so forward thinking people can submit ideas as to how to make this city “explode”.