Jamaica Poised for Economic Growth - Portland in Focus

Jamaica's Economic Team

Obstacles to Jamaica’s growth and job creation are numerous and severe. In order for Jamaica's economy to grow the Government must address crime, the cost and availability of credit, tax compliance costs, unreliable and expensive electricity, and a large informal economy. The large size of the public sector has also stifled private sector dynamism and places too much emphasis on government as the engine of growth and employment.

For the first time in many years latest assessment of the Jamaican economy, it is projecting economic growth at 1.7 per cent this fiscal year and that the government will therefore need to implement bold structural reforms to unleash the island’s potential.

Portland Parish Jamaica

Some areas of the Jamaican Economy poised for immediate growth includes Tourism, technology and renewable energy. The Parish of Portland with unexposed tourist attractions and its natural beauty with some private sector investment could see up to 3% growth in the next 2 years. Hindrance to unleashing the parishes potential growth includes poor condition of infrastructure including its main roads and arterial roads all across Eastern Portland, existing unpaired damages to the Blue Lagoon Bar, Restaurant and gift shop, the inaccessibility to Nonsuch Caves, poor conditions of access roads to winnifred Beach and non-existent public facilities.

These are just some of the existing opportunities in Portland the fact is some infrastructure does exist around these public facilities but are run down because of neglect. Some of Jamaicas most beautiful beaches, villas, beach villas and B&B including the Tropical Lagoon Resort overlooking the Blue Lagoon. 

The eminent decay of Winnifreds Beach

Winnifred Public Beach

The neglect by the leadership of Free Winnifred Beach Benevolent Society to push for the swift implementation of the court order issued in September of 2014 now put the (UDC) Urban Development Corporation in breach of  Resident Magistrate Marjorie Moyston order, that order said,

"UDC has 90 days to create on a new title an easement for the right of the public to access the beach for bathing and recreation purposes." 

With this ruling in hand since September of 2014 very little has been done by the Free Winnifred Beach Benevolent Society to effort the implementation of the Judges orders. The UDC is now in breach of Resident Magistrate Marjorie Moyston orders. Winnifred Beach fought for over 15 years is now in the hands of a few who valiantly fought with the support of the Fairy Hill and surrounding communities.

The struggle of the people of winnifred beach was supported by people all over the world including Sweden, Italy, Germany who have visited Jamaica over and over again to enjoy winnifred beach. It would be an outrage and disappointment to find that top members of Free winnifred Beach Benevolent Society with an hard fought for Legal ruling has bended to Political pressure and pressure from the UDC shelving Justice Marjorie Moyston ruling.

Beaches of Jamaica

 Boston bay Beach Jamaica

Your beach vacation to Jamaica could be spent in the all inclusive hotel however exploring beaches across the island is one of the things to do in Jamaica. While your stay may be Ocho Rios just over an hour east is Portland with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the first beach is Somerset Falls and beach at Hope bay.

There is also Frenchman's cove Beach a more private upscale beach on the property of the Frenchman's Cove Hotel, San San beach near the Blue Lagoon a fee for entry Beach serving the Villas of Port Antonio with a Grill and Bar quiet with white and is surrounded by rich shrubbery, vines and tropical palms.

About 1 mile from Blue Lagoon beach is winnifred beach jamaica one of the premier public beaches in the caribbean with its white sand rustic entrance road, tropical rain forest surrounding, 40ft hanging vines, fruit trees migrating birds and a sanctuary for Turtles winnifred beach at Fairy Hill is rated 4* of the best Public beaches of Jamaica.

Places to stay in Jamaica

Winnifred Beach near Port Antonio Villas

Your beach vacation is never affected in any way as many beach vacation spots are just a few steps from your hotel room on the beach. Places to stay in jamaica is never an issue from hotels in montego bay jamaica, or one of jamaica adult all inclusive, the villas of the Blue Lagoon in Port antonio or a cheap beach getaways there are affordable beach rentals available in most of jamaica's resorts.

When you make plans for your trip to Jamaica one of the easiest question to answer is what are the things to do in Jamaica. Unlike most other vacation spots in the world Jamaica offer a diverse holiday opportunities depending on the purpose of your holiday. The temperature in Jamaica averages about 85 degrees all year round with the November checking in around 79 degrees this time of the year begin the busiest time of the year with visitors arriving to escape the cold temperatures up north. 

Ride the Blue Mountain Range

If backpacking in Jamaica's various mountains including the Blue Mountain Peaks and John Crow mountain Peaks or riding the Blue mountain bicycle tours Jamaica offer an array of things to do on your vacation on this scenic mountainous island. Most all inclusive hotels offer these tours at their front desks and can be included in your Jamaica holiday package.

The Blue Lagoon Jamaica in Decay

Visitors who now go to the Blue Lagoon wonder in dismay why such a beautiful part of Jamaica is left to rot while its surrounding is gushing with construction of some of the finest waterfront properties in the world. 

In Decay Blue Lagoon Bar and Restaurant

Once the hub of  Portland's Tourist attraction and pride of the community "The Blue Lagoon Jamaica" is now in disrepair and a state of decay.  The Blue Lagoon was purchased by Portland Holdings in 2009 with a promise that it would be restored to its former glory after it suffered damage in an Hurricane and was never restored. Since its purchase six years ago the new owners have for reasons not of the interest of the Portland community have kept the property closed. The vendors that were located there and the people who worked at the Blue Lagoon the once #8 wonder of the world continues its downward spiral and now in decay.

Once a 4 Star Bar and Restaurant

The Blue Lagoon property is owned by Michael Lee-Chin founder and Chairman of Portland Holdings Inc., a privately held investment company which owns a collection of diversified operating companies in sectors that include media, tourism, health care telecommunications and financial services. Mr Lee -Chin also own the Trident Villas and Hotel and one of the palacious beach front properties on the Blue Lagoon yet the public facilities that for more than 50 years serve and attract visitors is left in ruins.

 The Blue Lagoon property is owned by Michael Lee-Chin founder and Chairman of Portland Holdings Inc., a privately held investment company which owns a collection of diversified operating companies in sectors that include media, tourism, health care telecommunications and financial services. Mr Lee -Chin also own the Trident Villas and Hotel and one of the palacious beach front properties on the Blue Lagoon yet the public facilities that for more than 50 years serve and attract visitors is left in ruins.

Visitors who now go to the Blue Lagoon wonder in dismay why such a beautiful part of Jamaica is left to rot while its surrounding is gushing with construction of some of the finest waterfront properties in the world. 

Homes and Villas along the Blue Lagoon

The buildings that once house the Blue Lagoon public facilities a Bar, Restaurant, gift shops, scuba diving training facility a floating barge where you enjoy "Blue Lagoon the cocktail", ingredients - 1 part Blue Curacao, 1 part Vodka, 4 parts Lemon juice with some of the best Jamaican cuisine that is all gone, taken by those with power and means, the buildings left to rot in front of our eyes. The Blue Lagoon is one of many attractive beach getaways like San San beach, winnifred Beach and water falls. Reach falls Jamaica one of Portland's premier falls with it natural pools with slithering rocks and Somerset Falls west of Port Antonio with its caves and thunderous falls. With all its difficulties Portland remain one of the great vacation spots in the world with many places to stay in Jamaica.   The decaying Blue Lagoon  Public Facilities is an enormous loss to tourist and tourism in Jamaica however the natural beauty of Portland especially San San area where the Blue Lagoon is Located continues to attract local and foreign guests.  The loss of jobs and potential jobs as a result of  the continued closure of the Blue Lagoon in Jamaica is devastating the Portland community that has adapted and transformed itself over and over again to make ends meet.

 The buildings that once house the Blue Lagoon public facilities a Bar, Restaurant, gift shops, scuba diving training facility a floating barge where you enjoy "Blue Lagoon the cocktail", ingredients - 1 part Blue Curacao, 1 part Vodka, 4 parts Lemon juice with some of the best Jamaican cuisine that is all gone, taken by those with power and means, the buildings left to rot in front of our eyes.

The Blue Lagoon is one of many attractive beach getaways like San San beach, winnifred Beach and water falls. Reach falls Jamaica one of Portland's premier falls with it natural pools with slithering rocks and Somerset Falls west of Port Antonio with its caves and thunderous falls. With all its difficulties Portland remain one of the great vacation spots in the world with many places to stay in Jamaica.  

The decaying Blue Lagoon  Public Facilities is an enormous loss to tourist and tourism in Jamaica however the natural beauty of Portland especially San San area where the Blue Lagoon is Located continues to attract local and foreign guests. 

The loss of jobs and potential jobs as a result of  the continued closure of the Blue Lagoon in Jamaica is devastating the Portland community that has adapted and transformed itself over and over again to make ends meet.  

Luxury Hotels in Jamaica

Trident Hotel and Villas

Quietly on the Cliffs just outside of Port Antonio is the Trident Villas and Hotel one of the most Luxurious Hotel in Jamaica. The Main building at Trident house 19 luxurious rooms a restaurant bar and lounge with almost 24 hr room service with several of Jamaica villas with outstanding 5 star reviews. A full Spa and fitness center all at the edge of the Caribbean sea are two of the many opportunities toward health and fitness. This is one of the premier places to stay in Jamaica with in house childcare affording a family the vacation of a lifetime this is not a cheap holiday in Jamaica its a luxurious one.

Places around the community to visit includes the blue lagoon and while there the San San and Winnifred beaches. There is also Rafting on the Rio Grande a 2 1/2 hour ride along the Rio Grande river on a Bamboo raft if done at the right time of day take you into the sunset at Rafters rest. 

Tropical Rain Forest at Winnifred Beach

Rain Forest cover the Beach

Not many beaches in the world is shaded by lush vegetation as Winnifred's beach near the Blue Lagoon and only 7 miles from Port Antonio. The lush Tropical vegetation  allow visitors to the beach deem Winnifred's beach as the worlds foremost beach with a tropical rain Forest. The trees on the beach are grown to 30-40 feet high with lush brilliant green leaves and no sign of withering. Winnifreds beach does not welcome beach umbrella's because the branches of the trees reaches over the beaches incoming tide at its eastern and western ends. Along the beach several large trees are so close to the water providing shade and sometimes when the tide rise or there is rough seas the trees are covered halfway up their trunk.  

Christmas in Jamaica

This Christmas Eve will be Wednesday December 24th, Jamaica will begin one of the longest holiday weekend with Christmas on Thursday and Boxing Day on Friday, the return to work on Monday will be 2 more festive days away a vacation awarded by the calendar.

Traditional Jamaica Christmas Cake

Cheap Accommodation near winnifred Beach?

Rain Forest along Winnifred Beach

Planning your vacation in is always interesting when you choose Portland Jamaica you may find your vacation maybe cheaper than you think. Portland has some of the cheapest accommodations for the Backpacker trying to stretch those accommodation dollars.

Find cheap hotels from Long Bay to the villas near Port Antonio including Fairy Hill  near Winnifred Beach new cheap hotel rates are available especially from private properties offering studios and self contained one and two bedroom accommodation

View of the Caribbean Sea 

While you find cheap hotel reservations near Port Antonio that may be the most insignificant part of your Portland Jamaica Vacation. Portland Parish by the main road has the most beautiful view of the caribbean sea for its entire length. She is mountainous rising to its highest level the blue mountain Peak.

Winnifred Beach Jamaica's Public Beach

After a Long Protracted bitter fight for the people of Jamaica by the  Free Winnifred Beach Benevolent Society and the residents of Fairy Hill and the surrounding communities the court decided Winnifred Beach belong to the people of Jamaica and declared Winnifreds beach Jamaica's Public beach.

Restaurant at winnifred Beach

The ruling, which was handed down in the Port Antonio Resident Magistrate's Court in the parish last month by Resident Magistrate Marjorie Moyston, said UDC has 90 days to create on a new title an easement for the right of the public to access the beach for bathing and recreation purposes.

Four members of the Free Winnifred Beach Benevolent Society took the matter to court five years ago, seeking a declaration of the public's absolute and indefeasible right to access the beach.

The Court order include, "The beach park would feature, at minimum, the following amenities: a ticket office, guard post, business offices and family-oriented recreational facilities, as well as sanitary conveniences," noted the EIA report done by consultants Technological and Environmental Management Network.

Winnifred Beach

Shades of Winnifred Beach

  Winnifred Beach located in the community of Fairy Hill close to Port Antonio in Jamaica and is one of Portland's last remaining true public beaches. Jamaican's and visitors to the island have enjoyed its white sands, pristine waters and laid back atmosphere for many years. Beach vendors have been earning their living on the beach with items ranging from trinkets to some good and hearty Jamaican cuisine including Roast breadfruit, Jerk Chicken, Curry Goat and many in season Tropical fruits.

Winnifreds Beach

Winnifreds Beach

Located between the Blue Lagoon and Boston Bay just a mile on from the closed beach where Tom Cruise once juggled his bottles in Cocktail, Winnifred Beach is one of the most appealing beaches in all of Jamaica. Found in the Fairy Hill community in Portland on the island’s lesser traveled east coast this beach is home to a delightful reef just offshore that’s not only perfect for snorkeling  but for its clear, calm, bright-blue water justly popular with locals.

Restaurant on  Beach

Even on the imperfect day winnifred beach offer the tranquility beach goers yearn for, winnifred beach is 1/2 mile from the main thoroughfare, the path to the Beach is unpaved road with natural green shrubs along the way. These shrubs include fully grown tree when in bloom offer delightful scents with Bees and Humming Bird in abundance transporting their pollen from one plant or tree to the next. This most tranquil walk sets the tone for natures experience for a lifetime as your half mile trek to the beautiful winnifred beach is now crowded a swash of "the Jamaica experience".