amjamin

BEST OF HOSPITALITY JAMAICA 2011 Kingston on the road to recovery

2012-01-04T10:55:00.000-08:00

A year on after the incursion, Jamaica’s capital exudes vibrancy and resilience

Amitabh Sharma
Contributor

On May 1, the streets were filled with a riot of colour, music on the crescendo and a sea of revellers dancing their blues away at the carnival parade that meandered through the streets of Kingston.

This was a welcome and refreshing contrast to 12 months back, when the air in the city was filled with tension, apprehension and fear, as the security forces prepared for intervention in the west Kingston community of Tivoli Gardens.

The incursion, which saw pitched gunfights between the security forces and the supporters of Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, left Kingston scarred and bruised, and the city’s tourism and hospitality industry in uncertainty.

“It (the impact) was quite significant, with hotels dropping to as low as 10-15 per cent occupancy [and] attractions, taxi operators, etc, seeing little to no business. It also set back the hard work and progress of the JHTA (Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association) Kingston Chapter in repositioning Kingston as a viable tourist destination for business or leisure,” said Nicola Madden-Greig, chairperson of the JHTA Kingston Chapter.

Restoring faith in and regenerating the image of the city was a daunting task which required meticulous planning.

Several countries and international organisations issued travel advisories to its citizens against travelling to Kingston.

“UN (United Nations) agencies issued advisories, even TripAdvisor put up a warning on their website,” she added. “It took us several months to get these reversed.”

“It has been very challenging,” Madden-Greig admits. “However, I must state that all the major players of the JHTA Kingston Chapter and other private partners, like Norman Manley International Airport, Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, along with the Jamaica Tourist Board came together and worked aggressively to lobby our regional and international partners to ensure the resurgence of both the business and leisure market to Kingston.”

MAJOR STEP

As Jamaica’s capital returned to normalcy, efforts were on to restore confidence in the city and the country.
Another major step in restoring that confidence will be the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean’s 29th Caribbean Conference of Accountants at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel to be held June 23-25.

The conference, which aims to bring together 1,000 persons drawn from the accounting profession is the biggest event being organised since the incursion and is seen as a major morale booster.

“The incursion in west Kingston threatened the staging of the conference in Kingston,” informed Raymond Campbell, partner, advisory services, KPMG, and chairman of the conference planning committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica.

However, he adds, “Holding the conference in Kingston has meant that we have to go the extra mile to market the staging of the conference and communicate its relevance.”

Campbell informed that Kingston was selected for location of the conference primarily “as a result of our belief that a business conference should be held in our nation’s business capital”.

He exuded confidence that the conference would boost attendance and increase the number of persons who are able to share in the experience.

“Kingston is not only our business capital; we believe it is the cultural capital of Jamaica and the Caribbean, with a proud history which is appealing to visitors from across the world.”

Madden-Greig, meanwhile, said that the city is still on the road to recovery.

“We have to continue working hard with our public- and private-sector partners to foster a better perception of Kingston and its potential,” she said.

For its part, the JHTA is planning a series of promotional trips to Canada, Trinidad and Barbados. According to Madden-Greig, Kingston has a lot of untapped potential. “First, there needs to be a greater understanding of the potential,” she said.

POSITIONING KINGSTON

For the long term, the JHTA Kingston Chapter chairperson said: “Going forward, there must be a niche marketing strategy that allows Kingston to be properly positioned as the sports, entertainment and cultural capital of the Caribbean, focusing on the intrepid traveller whose choice for vacation is not purely centred around sun, sea and sand. The nature, culture, adventure market in the United States and United Kingdom is estimated at 5.5 million trips per year, with estimated spend of US$7.2 billion annually.”

As Kingston prepares to welcome accounting professionals from across the Caribbean, the organisers are optimistic that it will have a positive impact on the city, and the entire Jamaica.

“The message is a simple one. Our country and region can progress to First-World [status] in one generation,” Campbell said.

“Kingston currently has just over 220,000 stopover arrivals per annum,” said Madden-Greig. “There has definitely been recognition of the value of Kingston’s contribution to the arrival statistics, and the potential to drive visitors not just to Kingston but to be the gateway city to the east.”

Life 3.2 MP...On the road

2011-12-28T07:02:00.000-08:00

Capturing some pics on slow pace and the fast track...

Montego Bay

Along North Coast of Jamaica

North Coast Highway

Along the coast

Caged and scared

Joys, trials and tribulations of fathers

2011-12-20T11:33:00.000-08:00

Published December 20, 2011

The Gleaner Positive Parenting

We live in the second decade of the 21^st century, where unfortunately for some men, smart phones, smart cars and smart everything under the sun seem to hold more value than shouldering the responsibility of being a ‘dad’.

Not these dads who spoke to Positive Parenting.

Lloyd Fennell epitomises a man, who played his role as a dad and rose to the occasion when he was left to raise his three children.

Fennell got married in 1979 and the union with his wife blessed them with two daughters and a son. “We had our own little home, things weren’t smooth, but got along fairly well,” recalled Fennell, his eyes seemed to wander into the past as he spoke.

Photo: stock.xchng

“When my youngest daughter was two years old, their mother left,” informed Fennell. He did not shy away or give up but made the best of the frugal resources and strived for the best even when the resources dried up.

LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Bearing the responsibility of the children was a learning experience. “With two girls, I learnt to guard them, and since I didn’t have sisters or aunts to help me, I also learnt to comb their hair for school.”

The 64-year-old, who born in Kingston, grew up in Retrieve district, St James, Fennell spent most of his time with his great-grandmother. “She taught me to cook, wash my clothes, without that upbringing I wouldn’t have managed,” he said, adding that he cooked for the children. “They used to love my cooking, they still do,” he said with a smile.

His inculcating good habits and being God-fearing as the driving factors, “We always emphasised on church and spirituality and ensured that we went the church regularly,” Fennell said.

The single father and his children found happiness in the simple pleasures of life and forged a bond in each others company. “We didn’t have a television at home; we spend time playing a lot of games and listening to news on the radio.”

Fennell who attended an All Age school, said that he always strived to educate his children, however big the sacrifice was. “Education was the most I could give them,” he said “I used to go to my bosses and ask for a loan to pay the school. It was deducted from me over time, schooling was a must.

“At first it was a scary situation,” reminiscences Garfield Richards when his elder daughter was born in 2005.

This ‘scare’ was more of anxiety of a first time father; Richards and his wife were in the United Kingdom pursuing their respective degrees and working. “I used to think how I will adapt, will I be able to do things for her,” Richards said.

The transition was smooth, “Doing everything for not for myself, it was challenging,” he said.

Slowly Richards found bearings and pleasure in bringing up his daughter. “She would wake up at odd times, I used to carry the bottle to bed, feed her and make her fall back asleep, it was tiring but blissful.”

As the young couple celebrated the arrival of the bundle of joy a rude shock struck them, Richards lost his job. He decided to set up his own business when they returned to Jamaica, and started working his life back.

He and his wife were blessed with a son, who is 6 months old now, and Richards is back to waking up to feed and put his son to bed several times in the night.

His wife travels to work from Manchester to Kingston every day, they are up at 3 a.m. and it is his responsibility to make their daughter get ready, feed breakfast and then drop her off to school.

“Having to get up and see two kids looking at you, come and dive into the bed, they come and play and try and wake you up as I pretend to sleep, I couldn’t ask for more blessings.”

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

Fennell and Richards come from different socio economic backgrounds and been in different circumstances, but they share the same passion, that of placing their children first before themselves.

“I feel it is very important as a father to be there for your child,” said Richards.

Fennell on the other hand lived his set of trials and tribulations, his son died under tragic circumstances in 2000, which left a big void in his life. “It was devastating,” he recalled, his voice trailing. “But he lives with me, there is a picture of him that I keep at all times and at home too…He is there everywhere.”

Richards is looking forward to bringing up their two children and sharing all the joys of the world with them.

“Joy of seeing Jordan, 6 month old creeping and crawling gives me so much bliss,” he said.

For Fennell, who’s a grandfather now, the journey has been worth it.“I am sure I did a good job under the circumstances, they (his daughters) will attest to that.”

“What really gives me gratification is that they have grown wings and learn to fly,” he said. “They can keep above the waters.”

Warm fuzzy feeling of Christmas in the country

2011-12-20T11:16:00.000-08:00

When I was a girl...

Published December 20, 2011
The Gleaner Positive Parenting

“Christmas was very peaceful, as an extended family we would meet for dinner and church,” recollects Leslie Ann-Brown, of the time spent back home in St Ann in the Yuletide season.

“We’ll go all night shopping on Christmas Eve, everything was simple, yet exciting,” says the 29-year-old website developer, who is now living in Kingston and has a 2-year-old son.

Growing up, she said, the spirit of the season was different in the countryside. “In St Ann there was a difference kind of warmth, which is missing in Kingston,” Brown recalls. “When I came back this place was not sociable.”

Brown still misses the simplicity and the festivities back home. “I loved the grand market feel in St Ann; it was so much more personal.”

Photo: stock.xchng

“I didn’t feel threatened there,” she reveals, adding with a chuckle, “There was not much of anything was there to steal anyways.”

It was about the spirit of good times, “We would have a good time listening to music, and being with your friends, shopping was more lyming than anything else.”

Christmas was something to look forward to spend time with family and friends; from making crafts and wreaths to decorate the home; savouring the aroma of the delicacies and simply enjoying the colourful decorations filling the home.

“We used to spend time cooking, my dad cooked and mom was baking person, I used to bake too.”

PASSION FOR COOKING

Brown developed a passion for cooking inspired by her father, “I even went out with my dad to a training course, father and daughter cooking classes,” she informs.

The gifts then were more simple. “Clothes, cologne were the gifts that point time, there were no video games, they were not allowed at home,” Brown, whose family is tight knit and religious, says.

“I don’t get gifts anymore, now my son gets all the gifts,” Brown says. “My son gets computers and traditional gift, he got last year a tricycle and he has got more language learning devices.”

But she said she finds the spirit and meaning of giving missing from Christmas these days. “The emphasis it seems is on giving expensive gifts and the load on the pocket is heavier, I personally cannot spend money on buying expensive gifts.”

What Brown misses about the Christmas warmth and spirit is the 'Christmas breeze’ in St Ann. “The wind used to cut through your clothes, we wore sweaters, it was a warm fuzzy feeling which I haven’t experienced in Kingston.”

In this day when greetings have gone ‘e’ or restricted to text messaging, Brown follows a practice diligently. She still sends a Christmas card to her best friend who is now in Trinidad. “We used to write Christmas cards to each other since high school, and we have not broken this tradition for 17 years now.”

There are some traditions that transcend time and which haven’t changed, and possibly never would. “The food had remained the same, the day has remained the same, reverence and blessings for the year, in a way it still feels the same,” Brown says. “The most important thing is having the family and good friends around you.”

Why children cry

2011-12-20T10:55:00.000-08:00

Published December 20, 2011

The Gleaner Positive Parenting

Photo: stock.xchng

Children. They are godsend blessing, bundle of joys, their peals of laughter fills life with joy. Sometime this story and perception change when they start to cry - uncontrollably, without provocation and non-stop.

While crying is a form of expression, like everything in excess it as the decibels rise, the concern for the child becomes a source of frustration and flaying tempers.

But there could be numerous and sometimes overlooked reasons for crying in children.

“The first thing to check for if you are dealing with a toddler is to see if there is something physically wrong,” informs Dr Pauline Milbourn, a paediatric psychiatrist. “It could be ear infections, which might make the child cry for long period of time or an insect bite. These are some obvious signs to be looked at.”

The child could be uncomfortable with a wet diaper or have a diaper rash.

SAFETY FIRST

Children have a tendency to explore, run around all over the place. “Examine the area where the child was playing, there could be an ants' nest or mosquitoes or any other insects that could have bitten the child,” she advises. “Give first aid or if the pain and the crying persist, see your doctor.”

Physical conditions can be easily identified and addressed, but it becomes a challenge when the spells of crying are psychological, there are some indicators to be looked into.

According to Dr Milbourn, most of the times to the crying is to seek attention. “The child might be feeling frustrated, wanting to be lifted or wanted to be fed.”

“To be in the arms of a parent is far more gratifying for the child than lying alone in the pen,” she said.

Dr Milbourn, who is the former director of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, said that like adults, children also suffer from depression or anxiety.When they are small it could be separation anxiety resulting from parents going for work. “They feel that they are being separated from the significant people in their lives so they cry.”

Sometime they would play hide and seek, start screaming or take the car keys and start crying and insisting that they come with the parents.

This is a normal phase, Dr Milbourn informs and as the children mature they recognise this pattern.

Sometimes the expression of crying may be a result of slow development. A child who is 2 or 3 year old and falling short on cognitive and language skills, gets frustrated. “There are times when they are trying to communicate with their parents but unable to point out what they want to say,” she said. “When their utterances are not deciphered by the parents then frustration creeps in.”

When the children are older and can communicate, there could be some other factors for this behaviour. These could range from psychological factors - change in environment, which might lead to adjustment issues to physical factors.

“School going children could be subject to bullying, or they might have been exposed to violence, first or second hand.”

“There might be physical reasons, like wearing glasses, for which they might be teased,” Dr Milbourn informed.

STAY IN TOUCH WITH SCHOOLS

She strongly recommends that parents to be in regular contact with the teachers and the school to chart the progress of their children.

Children are very sensitive and any negative vibe can affect them, depression, for example, can travel from the parents to the children.

“Parents are trying their best, due to the work and other social pressures, they are tired exhausted and often time depressed, and this is transmitted to the children.”

It is important to spend time with the child, and in a world where parents seem to be at work ‘36 hours a day 8 days a week’, Dr Milbourn advises to make the most of whatever time is at hand.

“Even if you have 15 minutes that you can spare for your kids, make sure it is spent wisely,” she said. “Go through a routine, read a story and catch up on the day.”

The key and critical factor in addressing any issue is for the parents to be informed, Dr Milbourn said.

“Read up and be informed,” she recommended. “It is important that you teach yourself and be aware of the developmental stages and also watch out for the change in behavior and the symptoms.”

Dealing with tantrums

2011-12-20T10:32:00.000-08:00

Published December 20, 2011

The Gleaner Positive Parenting

There are degrees and variation in which a child expresses emotions, happiness and sadness alike. But when the crying becomes uncontrollable, without provocation, the reasons could be much more than meet the eye.

It is normal for the children to cry but sometime this can become habit forming or if the child resorts to tantrum throwing, it can possibly lead to frustration and meltdown.

“There are levels of crying, and it might be physical expression of frustration,” says Dr Pauline Milbourn, paediatric psychiatrist, former director of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the Ministry of Health.

Photo: stock.xchng

A child may throw tantrums for many reasons, from the need and want to acquire something to sickness.

“The child could be having fever, headache or an upset stomach that can trigger tantrums,” Dr Milbourn says. “This behaviour could be out of hunger or overtiredness too.”

Most times, this outburst happens when the parents take their children shopping. The temptations are strewn all around them - from candies to toys which are strategically kept in the supermarket shelves at a level where it catches the eye of the child. The drama begins here and it becomes an embarrassing situation for the parents.

IGNORE THEM

Dr Milbourn recommends redress for this situation. Pay them no attention.

“Tantrum needs an audience, so it is best to ignore and walk away,” she says. “This should stop the spell.”

But it is imperative, she says, to ensure that the child is safe. “Keep an eye and hover around to check.”

If the behaviour is uncontrollable, then it is best to leave the shopping cart and take the child to the car and wait for this phase to pass. “You need to be firm and resolute and encourage the child to show good behaviour, so that they are rewarded for it.”

She adds, however, that all tantrum situations cannot be avoided and advised that it would be a good idea to keep the child occupied by giving him or her a toy or a book to read.

Tantrums, according to Dr Milbourn, could also be as a result of the parents bid to ‘profile’ and outdo their colleagues, neighbours or peers. “That is the worst disservice parents can do, the children are caught in the middle and develop a sense of superiority complex.”

At the end of the day the children do not grow up to be responsible citizens.

Dr Milbourn, who discourages use of the rod, says to end any tantrum it is important to look at alternate strategies. “Hitting will not achieve anything, it might make the situation worst,” adding that a gentle rap on the wrists acceptable.

PERSEVERANCE

Addressing tantrums requires a lot of perseverance.

“Parenting requires a lot of patience, and any issue needs to tackled via dialogue,” she said. “Approach the subject when you have cooled down,” is her advice to parents who feel they are at wits' end with their child’s behaviour.

If the If the situation is reaching a boiling point and the parent or parents are not able to address the issue, then they should seek assistance. “There are parenting groups, even in the church that you attend, where there will be people to guide and counsel.”

Dr Milbourn recommends instilling good values in children, and emphasises faith and purpose. “Worship and praying always makes a difference, take the principles of the faith you follow and teach the children to accept and be happy with what they have.”

Life 3.2MP...in and around Kingston

2011-12-09T08:07:00.001-08:00

Waterfront Kingston

Emancipation Park

Life 3.2MP...in and around Kingston

2011-12-07T05:31:00.000-08:00

Slices of life capturing landmarks, nature and its colours....


Pot of gold...rainbow forming over Blue Mountains overlooking Kingston

Sunkissed Strawberry corridor with a hint of Pistachio

Ward Theatre, Parade, Downtown Kingston

Fort Charles, Port Royal

Hues of the evening sky

Palette in the sky

Port Royal

Dusk, Port Royal

A train journey across India - 2005

2011-11-01T09:11:00.000-07:00

Courtesy: stock.xchng

As I boarded the Rajdhani Express one fine morning at Chennai (formerly Madras) for Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi), swarm of flies and the unbearable stench from the toilets overpowered me, on the compartment wall a face of smiling 'incredible !ndia' welcomed passengers aboard.

The journey to Delhi was pleasant, nice company, unending conversations and not to forget the flies and mosquitoes, who sung in accompaniment of the PA system that periodically rattled some haunting melodies.

We complained to the coach attendant and the (TT) ticket-checking official on the lack of cleanliness...pat came the reply... "sir what can we do, the maintenance of the trains are now in the hands of private contractors, ...they are just minting money without doing work!"

Then it was the turn of the coach attendant to make rounds to distribute the bedding, a blanket, bed sheets, pillow and a hand towel. The spick and span white sheets were fine save for some tear and specks of dirt here and there but the blanket looked like it was run over by a gang of WWF wrestlers for their 'raw is war' show, smeared with foot marks, crushed and smelling stale.

The man was hauled again, "what is this," a co passenger asked, "can't you give a clean blanket, who is going to use this..."sir, what can I do, this has just come from the laundry!!!"

To be doubly sure one marched to the cubicle where these were kept, no luck there too; the other 'clean' ones were equally stomped and wriggled, one had no choice but to pile it on a vacant berth or camouflage it with bed sheets and use it, I chose to do the former.

Travelling in a train has always been a memorable, experiencing the varying vegetation, colours, language, people and attire from the southern tip of the country to the north and the gossip of the co-passengers. For company there were an elderly couple from Punjab, and a group from France (originally from Pondicherry).

Train hospitality can be overwhelming at times; when it comes to food, from the moment one was treated to juice, soups, tea and breakfast and tea and a snack and lunch and tea and a snack and soup and dinner ...end of the day one was feeling like a glutton. The accompanying sachets of jam, pickle, ketchup, sugar, salt, pepper, tea bags and milk powder were pocketed by the co-passengers to be consumed at home.

Call it the Chennai effect, the water in the toilets had dried up half way through the journey because of some 'technical fault'. With a day to go, the 'king of good times' (the bottled water supplied in the train) came handy for washing hands and brushing teeth.

What's next...with chai in kullhar (earthen cup) now in place, we can replace berths with charpoys (string beds) and add a bunch of bushes for toilets, nature friendly and ingenious!

This journey was from Chennai to Delhi in one of Indian Railway's premium train Rajdhani Express (Rajdhani - Capital city). The year was 2005...hope things have changed for the better.

Life 3.2 MP: Capturing some images - Kingston and across Jamaica

2011-10-19T10:51:00.000-07:00

A lone fishing boat sits in the Caribbean Sea....St Elizabeth

Historical landmark - St. Andrew Parish Church

Colours of nature streaking across the sky

Innovation in fence art...empty cola bottles form an interesting pattern

Hues painted by mother nature

2011-10-13T14:49:00.000-07:00

Skies over Kingston on an October evening.

Teachers as parents - the crests and troughs of it

2011-08-16T11:19:00.000-07:00

Published August 15, 2011
Positive Parenting Magazine

Charmaine Rowe* remembers her daughter crying at home and not wanting to go to school the next morning, she was very concerned. She was not dealing with a Kindergarten student but a teenager who was buckling under pressure as her mother was the vice principal her school.
"It was very difficult," recalls Rowe, vice principal of a St Andrew High School and mother of two daughters. "She was taunted by her classmates, though she was a naturally talented student, but they thought that she was being given preferential treatment, she was starting to feel the pressure."

The situation reached a flashpoint and came to a stage that her daughter asked to relinquish the post. "She said that she would not be 'picked on' by her friends and I was also seriously thinking about it," Rowe says.

Thankfully the situation eased and Rowe still holds the office and is relieved that the time passed. Rowe, who teaches history, says that there comes a point in every teacher's life that as a parent they have to balance their work with family.

Enjoying the fruits of parenthood

Michelle Goldson, teacher at Mona Preparatory School, Kingston, who had spoken to Positive Parenting has a three year old daughter who attends Kindergarten at the school.

"I grew up teaching I grew up teaching the dolls in the verandah of the house," Goldson says.

Unlike Rowe who was presented with the challenge of being a teacher and parent, she has none. Not this time, Goldson said. "It is an advantage for me to have my daughter around next door, she is near me," she says. "Being a teacher, I have the privilege of getting her work done."

She said, though, that it is imperative that the child understands from day one they cannot take advantage of this.

Rowe sought the assistance of the guidance counsellors to resolve her daughter's issue. "As a teacher I had decided to stay away from the child," she said. "You need to support your children without taking sides."

Rowe's younger daughter is in fourth form and she is bracing to see her through. "As any parent I want to spend more time with her. I do not want her to be a part of the statistics of those who failed or dropped out of the school because they did not have parental support."

"There are social issues to deal with for her...I have seen so many children gone astray. I much rather have a stable family than become rich."

Here is a woman who has seen the need to compartmentalise her life. "I have two jobs at hand," said Rowe. "When the school gets over, I have to go back and be a mother and wife. It is important that you leave your job behind and exude positivity at home."

Goldson, on the other hand, sees her job as an advantage, "The school is over by 3 p.m., so I have more time to spend with the family and holidays, I love holidays, this is a privilege that only a teacher can have."

Family support
Goldson, who has been married about nine years, attributed the fact that she did not have to deal with challenges, because of her husband. "This smooth sailing would not have been possible without the partner," she says. "Having a father helps tremendously, he takes over from me when the going is tough."

Both teachers emphasise having family around, a factor that has made life easier for them. "My daughter has her grandparents around," says Golding, "this has also made a lot of difference."

*Name was changed

The winged visitor

2011-08-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

A visitor flew in early Tuesday morning, perched itself on the window sill and posed for the camera...

Poised for the next level

2011-08-04T00:37:00.000-07:00

David Yamada, general manager, Wyndham Kingston, speaks on his vision and plans for propelling the property to greater profitability

Published August 3, 2011 Hospitality Jamaica

David Yamada

The sparseness of his office space resonates with his optimism and the artistic and passionate strokes of confidence that he exudes. David Yamada, general manager, Wyndham Kingston, is both upbeat and confident, taking one of the capital city's premium hotels to the next level.

"We are striving to regain the position as the premium property in Kingston and we certainly can be there," Yamada said, adding that Wyndham has the perfect mix. "The property has a nice layout and has both a business and resort feel to it."

Yamada, who has worked for leading hotel companies such as Marriott, Starwood (and ITT Sheraton) and now Wyndham, as well as major management companies including Interstate Hotels and Resorts and John Q. Hammons Hotels, LLC, told Hospitality Jamaica that a plan of action has been drawn and is being implemented, primarily for service delivery. "We are continuing our thrust area to improve service delivery across the board," he explained. "There is focus on training, and we are giving emphasis on human resources, highlighting the achievements of the staff. We want to get the product to a higher level."

FRESH IDEAS
Yamada said he is looking for a mix of ongoing initiatives and pairing them with new ideas to achieve the objectives.

"We have a good mix of staff, both the people who have had years of experience working here and new blood. Our primary focus is on developing the group business - we have 16,000 square feet of banquet space, which we want to highlight."

Recognising that Kingston primarily has business clientele, the Wyndham general manager said he will be looking at getting a mix to boost sales.

"We will be pushing both sides of the business," he informed. "At the moment, 60 per cent of the clientele is business. We are also looking at leisure, but we also have to take into consideration that majority of that (leisure business) is on the north coast."

He detailed some initiatives which are reaping rewards for the property.

"We have done exceptionally well in F&B (food and beverage), where we have branched off into catering both on and off site," Yamada said.

"The mixes of fresh ideas with fresh delivery, presentation and quality have added to this success."
Wyndham has launched Green Market Café, which Yamada said would be promoting healthy eating.

"We will be focusing on fresh salads and wraps, and, more importantly, the focus is to source local produce and support local farmers," he said.

Wyndham is also moving towards making the property 'green', having set up a small composting plant where grass trimmings and waste from the kitchen are used. The hotel is also moving to use energy-efficient light bulbs.

These measures are having an impact on the business, asserted Yamada. The hotel is already seeing an increase of 15-20 per cent in the occupancy levels in the last three to four months.

BIGGER PICTURE
But Yamada said the key to success would be dependent on the macro picture.

"The market has not yet rebounded, but we are seeing a (silver) lining at the end," he said. "The business climate in the city is coming back, but we also need to realise Kingston's position and push needed to bring in overall growth and development."

He said that the capital city is yet to achieve its full potential. "Kingston has so much to offer for culture; there are some historical sites that can become focal points."

"This is for the long-term investment, over time this will merge back together.

"We need to find ways to work closer," Yamada, who found an instant liking for Jamaican people and food, said. "Success of any business has to be linked to the success of the community."

Yamada, exuding positive attitude, said he is upbeat. "It is a feeling of total optimism. We are poised towards positive growth, and we are moving in that direction."

Margarietta St Juste - More than a diplomat, a human being par excellence

2011-07-06T06:46:00.000-07:00

Published: July 6, 2011, Jamaica Gleaner; July 7-13 North American Gleaner

“She was the kind of mother you would dream about,” recalls Brian St Juste of his mother Margarietta St Juste, as his voice trailed into a trance. “She was loving, caring but she was stickler for discipline, she never spoke ill or bad and always taught us to be respectful.”


Margarietta St Juste

It were these traits of Margarietta St Juste, which earned accolades, friends and love from people across the board as Jamaica’s Consul General to Toronto, a position she served from 1993 to 1997. “She not only developed friendship among the Diaspora but with the with Canadians and worked towards the betterment of the people across the board.”

The much adored and respected St Juste died on June 28 in Kingston. She was 75 years old.

‘Shock and disbelief’ were some the emotions described by the media as the news of her passing broke, “She shone and endeared a community to her, so much so that hundreds came out to bid her farewell when she demitted office in July 1997” the Jamaican state run news agency JIS wrote.

Accolades flow as people mourn the loss of one of Jamaica’s foremost public servant.

Founder and former President of Arts and Culture Jamaica, Paula de Ronde, described her as someone who made everyone proud to be a Jamaican. “She was full of life and her thoughtfulness and dependability were legendary. You could depend on Margarietta to do what she said she would. She was real, genuine, practical, full of ideas, and if it was not for her, Arts and Culture Jamaica Inc. would not exist,” De Ronde said in an interview to JIS.

Margarietta St Juste was a people person; “She never discriminated,” Brian St Juste said, “she was always willing to help and she wouldn’t hesitate, she never looked at anyone’s status, she respected the human being.”

As the Counsel General in Toronto, she strived to elevate Jamaica’s image, reputation and also sought to defend the Diaspora’s reputation in Canada.

“She single-handedly motivated the Canadian-Jamaican community to challenge the stereotyping of our community by the Canadian media and worked tirelessly to bring about a better understanding, respect and acknowledgment of the diversity, creativity and contribution we have made to Ontario and Canada over the years,” former editor of The Weekly Gleaner, Gail Scala said in an interview to the JIS.

Margarietta St Juste served as the Regional Manager of the Jamaica National Investment Promotion (JNIP), then as the Trade Commissioner to Canada, following the formation of JAMPRO. She was appointed Consul General in 1993, prior to which she served as Deputy Consul General in New York for six months.

She leaves behind a rich legacy of top notch professionalism, humane traits and a Jamaican who strived to uphold values.

“She didn’t adjust to the new way of communication, neither the new fangled ways of language,” said Brian St Juste, who is a filmmaker. “Till the very end she would correct me with my diction, and at times write it down to correct me.”

She returned to Jamaica did event planning, primarily focusing on conferences and continued to touch the lives of the people she came across in many ways.

“My Mother has left an indelible mark on life and has shaped the individual that I am today,” said Brian. These emotions were shared by his brother Francois St Juste, general manager – radio services at RJR, “I have been truly blessed with a life long shower of love and lasting life lessons,” he said.

Juste is survived by her 102-year-old mother, two sons, Brian and Francois, several grandchildren, relatives and many friends in Jamaica and Canada.

“She touched the lives of many people and was well loved by many more,” said Brian.

KRAFTWERK - THE MODEL

2011-07-04T04:54:00.000-07:00

QUEEN, ELTON JOHN & AXL ROSE - Bohemian Rhapsody

2011-07-03T22:30:00.000-07:00

Paul Simon - You Can Call Me Al

2011-07-03T22:07:00.000-07:00

Paul Simon - Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes

2011-07-03T22:01:00.000-07:00

Slices of life driving around Kingston

2011-06-23T14:49:00.000-07:00

Wall painting, North Street, Kingston

Sabina Park, North Stand from South Camp Road

It's an ad for bananas!!

Kingston on the road to recovery

2011-05-13T12:22:00.000-07:00

A year on after the incursions, Jamaica’s capital exudes vibrancy and resilience

Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston

Published: May 11, 2011
Hospitality Jamaica

On May 1, the streets were filled with a riot of colour, music on the crescendo and sea of revellers dancing their blues away at the Carnival parade that meandered to through the streets of Kingston.

This was a welcome and refreshing contrast twelve months back, when the air in the city was filled tension, apprehension and fear as security forces prepared for intervention in West Kingston community of Tivoli Gardens.

The incursion, which saw pitched gun fights between the security forces and the supporters of Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke left Kingston scarred and bruised, and the city’s tourism and hospitality industry uncertainty.

Smoke bellowing from Tivoli Gardens, May 2010

“It (the impact) was quite significant with hotels dropping to as low as 10 -15 per cent occupancy [and], attractions, taxi operators etc seeing little to no business. It also set back the hard work and progress of the JHTA (Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association) Kingston Chapter in re-positioning Kingston as a viable tourist destination for business or leisure,” said Nicola Madden-Greig, chairperson of the JHTA Kingston Chapter.

Resorting faith and regenerating image of the city was a daunting task, which required meticulous planning.

Several countries and international organisations issued travel advisories to its citizens against travelling to Kingston.

“UN (United Nations) agencies issued advisories, even TripAdvisor put up a warning on their website,” she added. “It took us several months to get these reversed.”

“It has been very challenging,” Madden-Greig admits. “However, I must state that all the major players of The JHTA Kingston Chapter and other private partners like Norman Manley international Airport, Jamaica Chamber of Commerce along with the Jamaica Tourist Board came together and worked aggressively to lobby our regional and international partners to ensure the resurgence of both the business and leisure market to Kingston.”

MAJOR STEP

As Jamaica’s capital returned to normalcy, efforts were on to restore the confidence in the city and the country. A major step in restoring that confidence will be Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean’s 29^th Caribbean Conference of Accountants at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel to be held June 23 – 25.

The conference, which aims to bring together 1,000 persons drawn from the accounting profession is the biggest event being organised post the incursion and seen as a major morale booster.

Blue Mountains overlooking Kingston

“The incursions in West Kingston threatened to the staging of the conference in Kingston,” informed Raymond Campbell, partner, advisory services, KPMG, and chairman conference planning committee of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica.

“Holding the conference in Kingston has meant that we have to go the extra mile to market the staging of the conference and communicate its relevance.”

Campbell informed that Kingston was selected for location of the conference primarily “as a result of our belief that a business conference should be held our nation’s business capital”.

He exuded confidence that the conference would boost attendance and increase the level of number of persons who are able to share in the experience.

“Kingston is not only our business capital we believe it is the cultural capital of Jamaica and the Caribbean, with a proud history which is appealing to visitors from across the world.”

Madden-Greig, meanwhile, said that city was still on the road to recovery.

“We have to continue working hard with our public and private sector partners to foster a better perception of Kingston and its potential,” she said.

For their part, the JHTA is planning a series of promotional trips to Toronto, Trinidad and Barbados. According to Madden-Greig, Kingston has a lot of untapped potential. “Firstly, there needs to be a greater understanding of the potential,” she said.

POSITIONING KINGSTON

Ariel view of Emancipation Park

For the long term, the JHTA Kingston chapter chairperson said: “Going forward there must be a niche marketing strategy that allows Kingston to be properly positioned as the sports, entertainment and cultural capital of the Caribbean focusing on the intrepid traveller who's choice for vacation is not purely centred around sun, sea and sand. The nature, culture, adventure market in the US and UK is estimated at 5.5 million trips per year, with estimated spend of US$7.2 billion annually.”

As Kingston prepares to welcome accounting professionals from across the Caribbean, the organisers are optimistic on the impact that it going to have on the city and the entire Jamaica.

“The message is a simple one. Our country and region can progress to First World [status] in one generation,” Campbell said.

“Kingston currently has just over 220,000 stop-over arrival per annum,” said Madden-Greig. “There has definitely been recognition of the value of Kingston's contribution to the arrival statistics and the potential to drive visitors not just to Kingston but to be the gateway city to the east.”

Jamaica Carnival 2011, Kingston

2011-05-06T04:35:00.000-07:00

The streets of Kingston came alive with a riot of colours, music on the crescendo and celebration, even the rain gods did not deter the revellers from letting their hair down...

Last minute culture

2011-04-27T14:09:00.000-07:00

Blast from the past...2007 Cricket World Cup

Run-down Jamaica fixes its windows, paints its doors, repairs its roads, lights its streets, as the big carnival down the way hits the Caribbean
Amitabh Sharma Kingston, Jamaica

Published: HardNews

The road to Sabina Park meanders through communities living in narrow by-lanes, eking out a living selling fruits, drinks and newspapers from their wayside shacks and carts. There is a flurry of activity, the Jamaica Defence Force personnel have descended in the periphery of the venue armed with shovels, roadrollers and concrete mixing machines helping the community to repave the sidewalks, fill potholes and give a fresh coat of paint to the facades.

A kilometre away, Jeff, chisel-figured and bare-chested, washes cars to earn his bread. "World Cup," he remarked, "I know there is a lot of excitement, but for me life will just go on."
With the world’s largest cricketing tournament barely two weeks away, work is on full swing at the Sabina Park, men working overtime to give the final touches to catch the deadline. Elsewhere, Kingston paints a depressing picture; the excitement attached to a tournament of this magnitude is missing.
"The requirements of the World Cup have brought out our deficiencies as a city and a country," said Robert Bryan, executive director, Jamaica Cricket 2007 Ltd, the local organising committee for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. The mayor of Kingston, Desmond McKenzie, deplored the state of the city as a national disgrace and said only about a third of the planned face-lift projects were likely to be completed on time.
Speaking in a programme on cleaning up the city for the big event, he lamented that he has a budget of only Jamaican $28 million. He had originally proposed to spend Jamaican $191 million. The point is that keeping the city in relative cleanliness ought not to be an overly expensive business, the editorial in Jamaica's leading newspaper, The Gleaner, said.
The problem faced by those who are running the show is that they have been unable to break free of the old structures; most of the cash allocated to projects does not go towards getting the job done. Such systems may be good for the distribution of pork, but not for efficiency, The Gleaner said in an editorial.

Jamaica, which boasts of 3 million tourist visits a year, is plagued with violence; more than 100 people have been murdered since the start of 2007, most of them in Kingston.
"We all have a choice: where will you be," remarked Bryan recently at a public meeting, "tearing Jamaica apart or taking Jamaica to heart? What is the story you want the world to see and hear when they visit Jamaica or watch us on television?"
Jamaica is looking at the event as a long- term marketing initiative. The cricketing extravaganza takes off on March 11 at the Trelawny Multi Purpose Stadium at the periphery of Falmouth in the northern end of the island nation. "The sighting of the stadium on the northwestern section of the island is strategic," said Bryan. "The town of Falmouth will benefit from this facility being located at their door step."
During the event, Falmouth is proposed to be transformed into a ‘walking museum’ with guided tours. The residents are also likely to benefit from a ‘Bed and Breakfast Programme’.
Meanwhile, the implementation of the CARICOM visa is drawing criticism from most quarters. Under the new visa regime, nationals from all countries except France, the Netherlands, the UK and US and their dependent territories, as well as Canada, Germany, Japan, Italy, Ireland, South Africa, are required to have a visa for travel to the region in order to access the CARICOM single-domestic space during the World Cup.
The business community has its reservations: "It is easier to go to the Whitehouse than to travel to Jamaica," said Manuel Ghelman, an apparel merchant at Novatex International in Panama who supplies stores in Jamaica. Talking to the The Observer, a Jamaican daily. Ghelman said that between the visa charge and that of sending the documents by DHL, he had to spend upwards of US $200.
Neil Forrester, general manager of the Antigua Hotels and Tourism Association, said that the visa requirement is an inconvenience, compounded by the abject lack of information. "What I see from the outside is complete inefficiency in the way it is being dealt with. People can’t get their visas, they can’t seem to get in on time and no one seems to know what’s going on."
In spite of the odds, the organisers are putting their best efforts and resources for the cricket carnival. With the heat now becoming intense, tucked in New Kingston, the business district of the city, a group of men and women are working round the clock at the local organising committee office to tie up the logistics. "It has been a tough year," said Pauline Nelson, communications manager, Jamaica Cricket 2007 Ltd. "From sleepless nights to living out of the suitcase, we are pooling our best resources for this event."
An estimated 15,000 visitors are expected to visit Jamaica during the event and around 2.2 billion viewers will be glued to their television screens. "It is our ‘last-minute’ culture," said Nelson. "Things will happen, you will see."
Meanwhile, Jeff is happy about what is being done to his neighbourhood. "Thank god for cricket, the roads are finally being repaired and lighted. That’s a big relief man."

Super Moon - March 19, 2011

2011-03-20T18:28:00.000-07:00

Full Moons vary in size because of the oval shape of the Moon's orbit. It is an ellipse with one side (perigee) about 50,000 km closer to Earth than the other, apogee. Nearby perigee moons are about 14% bigger and 30% brighter than lesser moons that occur on the apogee side of the Moon's orbit.

A perigee full Moon brings with it extra-high "perigean tides," but this is nothing to worry about, according to NOAA. In most places, lunar gravity at perigee pulls tide waters only a few centimeters (an inch or so) higher than usual. Local geography can amplify the effect to about 15 centimeters (six inches)--not exactly a great flood. (Source: NASA)

Lunar Eclipse 21 December 2010

2011-03-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

This is coming a wee bit late, technology and logistics issues...here are some hues of the lunar eclipse in December last year. Moon shadowed by Earth!