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 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.  

To do List Jamaica Vacation

Swim the Blue Lagoon

Jamaica has its mysteries foremost its every day 85 degree year round temperature a presumptive laid back population notwithstanding the daily hustles of the communities to make end meet. This proud population is always eager to charm its guests foreign or local to embrace some of the most scenic vacation spots in the world. The Parish of Portland boasts the top 5 destination in Jamaica with the Blue Lagoon #1 and one of the top ten wonders in the world, Blue hole with its natural vegetation unexplained the changes of the water temperature as you swim from one end of the Lagoon to the next the color of the water and mineral springs are just some of the Blue Lagoon Experience.
  
01) "Blue Hole or the Blue Lagoon" Near Port Antonio! Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the world #1 on your vacation, "to do list in Jamaica".

San San Beach Jamaica.

San San Beach Portland in Jamaica.

About 5 miles west of Port Antonio lie one of the premier beaches in Jamaica San San Beach it is nestled in Eco-tourism heaven near the villas of the blue Lagoon, The organically trees and vines, quiet European feeling makes San San bay a Jamaican secret and a great beach vacation experience, just, "one of things to do in Jamaica". 

The beach is 15 steps from the main road that plies between the Blue Lagoon,Trident Villas and the Trident Palace. A restaurant is operated on the Beach daily making it unnecessary to pack a lunch when you spend the day of you life at one of the places to visit in Jamaica a good vacation spot.   

Is Portland out of Step?

Port Antonio Square

Port Antonio the is the most North Easterly Town in Jamaica, Capital City of the Parish of Portland most recent census give Portland a Population of 82,685 of jamaicas 2,706,763 residents in 2011 census results. Portland, braggs its Natural beauty makes it different and should attract development toward tourism and articulture however there ample evidence Portland has lost its tourist appeal and now linger behind Parishes like St Elizabeth and Kingston.

While tourism exploded from Oracabessa to Negril and now White house in Westmoreland with some growth in St Elizabeth, Portland continue to regress with its crumbling tourism infrastructure. Facilities like the Trident Villa Hotel now rebuilt, Titchfield Hotel, Bonnie View Hotel, Frenchman's Cove Hotel, The Blue Lagoon and the Dragon Bay Hotel all remain in ruins or under poor or no management.