Cautious optimism for home porting in MoBay

Mark Titus, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:The announcement by Tourism and Entertainment Minister Dr Wykeham McNeill that two new cruise ships would make Montego Bay their home port has been met with mixed reactions from key stakeholders in western Jamaica.

During his 2013-14 Sectoral Debate presentation earlier this month in the House of Representatives, McNeill said Montego Bay would see the AIDA Bella and the Louis Cristal Cuba cruises home porting in the Second City, starting in November and December of this year, respectively.

"Home-port situations normally bring with them double benefits as passengers will fly in, spend some time on our properties, then go on their cruise, and this would be welcomed by all the properties," said Evelyn Smith, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA).

Nathan Robb, president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), said he did not wish to comment without informing himself of the contents of the minister's speech but said home porting generally had many advantages, linkages, and spin-offs.

BENEFITS

However, his predecessor, businessman Davon Crump, expressed cautious optimism that there would be a boost to the economy.

"In each country that a home-porting arrangement exists, the spend per cruise passenger is around four times what is normally spent," Crump told Western Focus. "I would also expect essentials like fuel, food for guests and crew members, and garbage disposal services to be provided by the locals."

However, Gazan Azan, owner of the MegaMart wholesale chain and Bashco retail stores, is calling for more details on the arrangement with the luxury cruise lines.

"If home porting means that they are going to be sourcing everything that they need for the vessel, it would be fantastic for the entire economy," Azan said, "but I would need clarification on what home porting means in this instance."

A home port refers to a port in which a ship is registered or permanently based. It normally generates airlifts in and out of the destinations, bringing additional business for local services like hotels, bunkering, freshwater provisioning, garbage disposal, and sludge removal. It also creates the potential for pre- and post-cruise extension visits.