Thread: Port Royal to Bring Tourists

Kingston:Minister of Transport and Works, Michael Henry, on Thursday revealed plans to transform the historic town of Port Royal into a thriving cruise-tourist destination as part of plans to attract more visitors to Kingston.

The minister said he would be meeting with representatives from the internationally renowned Carnival Cruise Lines on May 11 in order to iron out an agreement for the cruise liner to take passengers to the well-known destination.

Henry was addressing the launch of the $465 million 'Palisadoes Shoreline Protection and Rehabilitation Works' programme at Palisadoes Road in Kingston.

The project, set to begin in July this year, will repair and protect the Palisadoes roadway and shoreline against storm surges and heavy rainfall.

The Palisadoes main road is the only access route to Kingston's major airport, the Norman Manley International Airport, as well as Port Royal. However, the roadway has been under threat from hurricanes and storm surges for some time.

Chinese funding

The project will be executed by Chinese maritime contractors China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd, with the Chinese government providing 85 per cent financing through the Chinese EX-IM Bank, with the Jamaican Government supplying the remaining 15 per cent

According to Henry, the Palisadoes project will bring to reality a number of other programmes set to be implemented along the island's southeastern coastline.

These include protective work in St Thomas for which a contract was recently signed, as well as work to be done on the bridge at Harbour View.

Henry said in late July to early August the first floating dry dock for Jamaica will also be built at Harbour View.

The transport and works minister also disclosed plans to intensify the development of Kingston's ports to take advantage of the steady increase in the volume of shipping.

Jamaica Gleaner News - Port Royal to bring tourists - News - Saturday | April 24, 2010

Kingston, Jamaica!

While we actually are very fond of Ocho Rios and are all right with MoBay ... really don't care to go to Kingston!

How do the rest of you feel about this?

Wasn't Port Royal the old harbour back in pirate days that sort of sank into the sea. Jamaica must be the most interesting island in the region. All that history & most of the place is still a wilderness compared with some.

Originally Posted by LuLu

Kingston, Jamaica!

While we actually are very fond of Ocho Rios and are all right with MoBay ... really don't care to go to Kingston!

How do the rest of you feel about this?

I think its this exact sentiment that Jamaican tourism officials are trying to rectify.

Your position on traveling to the city is well founded and one I hear expressed by many cruisers and travelers...Maybe they can change your mind in the next few years?

(thanks lulu, )

Yesterday (5/21/10) a NEW Travel Alert was issued for Kingston ... said it could spread:

Welcome to Travel.State.Gov

Then click new alerts or Jamaica.

Seems to me until all of the unrest in that section of Jamaica has been addressed ... it would not be attractive to many cruisers ....