The Falmouth model has failed – Mafessanti Carl Gilchrist “I think the real benefit is the NORMAN GRINDLEY/CHIEF Hospitality Jamaica Writer perception that Falmouth is PHOTOGRAPHER benefitting from the pier, so what T ANN businessman Marino Marino Mafessanti, director, we have now is more people Mafessanti believes that the St Ann Chamber of buying premises in Falmouth. But Sdevelopment of the Falmouth Commerce. in terms of employment because of pier in Trelawny has failed to the pier, there is nothing like provide the expected jobs and that. Added to that, there is other economic hardly any local- benefits to the based business town. that benefits The Running Girlz of Canada. “The Falmouth either. It is really model has failed,” disappointing,” he Mafessanti told a lamented. Gleaner Editors’ Overseas groups, media The Ocho Rios Forum in Ocho pier lost out big Rios last when the Falmouth pier opened for Reggae Marathon Wednesday. around four years ago. Several MORE THAN 12 groups, as well They will also be joined by two According to Mafessanti: “We ships changed their itinerary, as representatives of some 14 Canadian teams that run for have failed to have an cutting off Ocho Ocho at the media organisations from North charity; Lace Up for Liver from accommodating way to have guests inclusion of Falmouth. However, America and Europe, will be the Canadian Liver Foundation, travel comfortably from ships to last month, Ocho Rios was travelling to Negril this year for and Joints In Motion from the attractions.” voted the Caribbean’s the annual staging of the Reggae Arthritis Society. One of the grouses that has Leading Cruise Marathon, Half Marathon and “A number of these groups are emerged from cruise passengers Destination, 10K on Saturday, December 6. not only repeat visitors, but that disembark at the Falmouth sparking hope Now in its 14th year, the committed Reggae Marathon pier, is the extended time they that it will Reggae Marathon event participants as reflected in their have to spend travelling the long lead to continues to attract overseas names,” said Francis. He also distances to attractions in the increase in participation and impressive added, “Some have also chosen neighbouring parishes of St Ann or arrivals at international media coverage, to support the community, and St James. the port. which, according to race director, this year, for example, Black Trelawny has very few Alfred ‘Frano’ Francis, is due Girl’s Rum & Reggae will be attractions to delight visitors, and mainly to “the strong overseas donating supplies to the children despite the pier being opened for marketing support of our main at the Negril All-Age School.” several years now, there has been a partners PUMA Running and the failure, on the part of both the ESTABLISHED MEDIA OUTLETS Jamaica Tourist Board, and the private and public sector, to success of our own digital “Reggae Marathon will also be develop additional attractions in marketing and new look and covered by a number of the town or even the parish. more user-friendly website, which established and respected media As a result, townsfolk are not facilitates effective online outlets and magazines including getting the desired benefit of registration for both local and Runner’s World from Sweden, having a port that is capable of international entrants”. Runner from Belgium, Get Out hosting some of the world’s biggest The groups and media, which There Magazine and Ottawa Life cruise liners. hail mainly from the United Magazine from Canada; Spiridon Falmouth resident, Brian Elliott, States of America and Canada, from Germany; the United while expressing disappointment also include representatives from Kingdom’s Running Fitness as that Falmouth is not benefiting Sweden, Germany, Belgium, the well as the Los Angeles Times, from the pier, believes the model is United Kingdom and Japan. Competitor Magazine, Women’s not yet a complete failure. With more than 91 members Health and Women’s Running “I think it is failing,” Elliott told strong, the US group, Reggae from the United States of The Gleaner last Friday. “And it’s Runnerz comprises the largest America,” said Francis. very disappointing.” overseas contingent at this year’s He indicated that a number of “There is no direct benefit to the event, and they will celebrate the media personnel will also be residents of Falmouth because the with a balloon release at the participating in the event, which town is being bypassed. The pier is Negril Tree House hotel to mark means, “They will not only be used primarily to sell tours outside their Reggae Marathon observing from the sidelines, but of Falmouth,” he argued. participation. Other groups will be active on the course. This “On a typical ship day, all the include: Quicksilver Striders, will help them to tell their stories hustle and bustle is of buses Run NYC, Yellowbird Reggae from the perspective of someone shipping out the tourists to other Runners, Easy Skankin, Andre’s who was involved in the race.” parishes. You can’t tell it’s a ship Crew and Black Girl’s Rum & A number of local corporate day by just looking at the town Reggae from the USA, as well as groups and other teams have also because there is hardly any activity Reggae Rebels, Running Girlz registered to participate in the relating to tourism outside of the FILE and Runners Mark from Canada. event. pier.” The Falmouth Cruise Pier. 2 HOSPITALITY JAMAICA | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 Tourism investments a major economic boost – Minister HE LOCAL economy continues to receive a major Tboost from billions of dollars which are currently flowing into the island through investment in the tourism sector. Minister of Tourism and CONTRIBUTED Entertainment Dr Wykeham From left: Hyatt Ziva Director of Sales Mureen James shows McNeill has indicated that ministers Dr Peter Phillips (centre), minister of finance; and Dr “current investment in the industry Wykeham McNeill, minister of tourism and entertainment stands at some $35 billion. This is drawings of the two resorts, Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara, which in keeping with a growing demand for rooms to satisfy the increasing are to open early December. interest in the country as a preferred tourist destination”. Following a tour with McNeill of four tourism investment sites in Montego Bay, Trelawny and Ocho Rios on the weekend, Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Peter Phillips expressed delight with the developments and their contribution to the Government’s General manager of the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande Resort growth agenda. and Spa, Clifton Reader (far right), is emphatic as he points out The locations visited on the tour the luxurious features that are being constructed to transform included the Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt the Ocho Rios hotel for its January 2015 opening. Obviously Zilara resorts in Montego Bay, pleased are (from left) Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Dr Royalton White Sands Resort in Trelawny, the Ocho Rios Cruise Wykeham McNeill, Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Peter Ship Pier and the Moon Palace Phillips, and executive director of the Tourism Enhancement Jamaica Grande Resort and Spa. Fund, Clyde Harrison. RIGHT DIRECTION Arias, said occupancy was now at hotelier, Clifton Reader, as general 100 per cent and this would With more “world-class brands manager. continue into the upcoming winter lining up to enter the sector”, Dr In a bid to retain valuable tourist season, which begins on Phillips said this was “proof that we members of the original workforce, December 15. are heading in the right direction”. the new operators have kept some Dr Phillips then got a first-hand He added that “what we have seen 500 employees on their payroll here in Ocho Rios, as well as in view of work being done by the during the hotel’s temporary Montego Bay and Trelawny, is that Ministry of Tourism and closure. More than 100 workers there is tremendous employment Entertainment through the have also been sent to Mexico for potential in the tourism industry”. Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) training. The hotel will eventually It was outlined that over 1,000 and other stakeholders, to renovate have 1,200 permanent employees. construction workers are now the Ocho Rios Cruise Ship Pier and Dr Phillips noted that, “Along toiling round the clock to have the add amenities in the resort town to with other developments which luxurious Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt benefit both locals and visitors. may come later, what we’re seeing Zilara resorts ready for a soft MISSION TO TRANSFORM ‘OCHI’ is the extent to which the recovery opening soon. An additional 600 of competitiveness in the Jamaican Dr McNeill pointed out that this permanent staff is already on the economy, which has resulted from job. General manager, Carl investment was being made by both our economic reform programme, is Hendriks, said that figure will be the private sector and driving a new wave of investment, doubled when the hotel is in full Government. “Over the last year, generally. We are in an early phase operation giving guests “service we embarked on an initiative of this process, and if the early from the heart”. between the TEF, the Port phase looks as encouraging as we The hotel’s parent company, Authority of Jamaica and the have seen today, then we can only Playa Resorts, is spending some Urban Development Corporation, imagine the tremendous US$150 million to transform the and we’re working on a project possibilities which will exist for the former Ritz Carlton property with which will transform Ocho Rios.” country as a whole.” the addition to several new It was also outlined that the He was particularly encouraged features, including an additional Moon Palace resort is set to open that “almost every one of the 193 rooms.