Garwin Davis
Hospitality Jamaica Writer

While hardly anyone in tourism circles will disagree that the marina in Port Antonio adds value to the town's aesthetic appeal, many are now convinced the money should have been spent elsewhere.

They note that while the marina cannot be faulted "for how it looks and what it means to this town", the lack of basic infrastructure in and around Port Antonio, makes it less likely that the facility will, at least not in the foreseeable future, realise its potential.

"Not taking anything away from Port Antonio, it was not the smartest of business decisions to spend all that money there," commented Junior Adams, Ocho Rios businessman. "This is just like saying I am going to put a Ritz Carlton in Bull Bay. Frankly, it doesn't make much sense."

Mark Turner, another Ocho Rios businessman agreed.

"As I have said repeatedly, just imagine if we had spent that money on pier expansion in either Montego Bay or Ocho Rios, we would now be getting eight or 10 ships per day," he noted. "I was in Cayman the other day and there were at least five thousand persons inside Margaritaville alone."

Fallen behind

Today, resulting from the lack of berthing space, Jamaica has fallen way behind its island competitors in terms of cruise ship arrivals. Cayman, St. Maarten and Nassau boast an average of nine ships per day as opposed to two for Jamaica.

The cruise lines have, for years, been insisting on the Government to upgrade existing port facilities, even offering to partner in the venture.

The marina, which was officially opened on September 12, 2002, was built on the idea that the facility would be able to attract luxury yachts that could once again make the resort town the playground of the rich and famous, akin to the days of the late Hollywood actor Errol Flynn and his well-documented love affair with Port Antonio.

Flynn was the man who famously described the town as "Jamaica's best kept secret."

Plans in place

"I am not sure we should be beating up on the Government for trying," said James Richards, Port Antonio resident. "For years, everybody has been saying that Port Antonio has been left behind in terms of development. Well, the Government has rewarded our patience by giving us this facility."

Port Antonio is unable to receive any of the current mega liners because of its harbour size.

Judi Schoenbein, vice president for the Association of Jamaica Attractions thinks the Port Antonio investment will bear fruit, adding that the Port Authority will be vindicated eventually.

"There are plans in place that will be very good for Port Antonio," she said.