Jamaican Scholar Calls for Alliance to Bring Tourism Back on its Feet in Kingston

The capital has played a key role in making Jamaica a "brand name", but the capital city, with all its uniqueness and rich heritage, has been subjected to much decline partly, due to social divide and criminal violence.

"Kingston is outstanding, if not unique, in that its contribution to the tourism sector is, by comparison to other capital or major cities, very small, far below its potential," said Mr. Chevannes, one of the keynote speakers on the second day of the three-day Mona Academic Conference on tourism.

Tourism, he said, offers an opportunity to heal the city´s wounds. But the initiative, he said, should be a shift from the traditional sun, sea and sand and instead become an embrace of the city´s cultural resources and involve the youths as prime stakeholders.

But the challenge is to achieve lasting peace, which he said is attainable if the social divide is narrowed. He proposed Violence Prevention Alliance, an initiative of the health ministry, as a possible solution.

"The approach is premised on two assumptions: that both the patriotic elements in the white and brown upper-class as well as the black bourgeoisie see the violence as a threat to the viability of the state and therefore to their own self-interest; and that led by the youths, the communities want peace, he said.

"Without some alliance, Kingston will certainly die of its wounds."

The city, he added, has an interesting history, rich in culture and music and is home to the finest collection of "visual and plastic arts in the Anglophone Caribbean" and boasts a beautiful backdrop in the Blue and John Crow mountains.

Mr. Chevannes also likened Kingston´s everyday routines to that seen in other unique destinations such as New York and Mumbai.