Tourism Failing

Treasure Beach Forum: TB Runnin's: Tourism Failing
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dian Best on Monday, January 25, 2010 - 11:36 am: Edit Post

I have just returned to my four bedroom, three bathroom in Seattle, WA after visiting Treasure Beach, Jamaica. I have to say the place has not changed very much. I am American and I have lived in the US for 12 years. The average american can vacation on hard earned money of no more than a thousand dollars a week. The tourism in Treasure Beach is failing, because the prices are outrageous and ridiculous.

My advice to you is to come together for the sake of your beautiful community and create an inexpensive recreational center for the youths hanging out on the beach bothering tourists. NOT A CLUB! Baseball, basketball, modeling, fishing competition, etc... are all good ideas that create things to do for these youths and also the tourists who come.

I have lots of friends that would like to travel for vacation and they all say that Treasure Beach is too expensive for them. The prices need to come down.

To Owen Clark and all the people involved in the community watch keep up the good work. Thank you for your efforts.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By missmaddie on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 - 02:10 am: Edit Post

I think a recreational center would be a good addition to the community but i strongly disagree about "the youths hanging out on the beach and bothering tourists". The majority of said tourists that visit treasure beach want to interact with the community and culture. There is very little crime in the area and the community is one of the SAFEST areas of jamaica.

Maybe you find it more expensive but I would rather pay more and stay in locally owned and authentic living arrangements rather then some sprawling, contrived all inclusive resorts in the bigger cities.

The beach is a beautiful place for children to spend time at, we should all be so lucky to live near such a beautiful natural resource!

Treasure beach is safe and friendly, it's sad to hear that someone does not enjoy interacting with its beautiful people, especially the harmless children that inhabit it. I feel so blessed and lucky to have met the majority of the people I interacted with in that area and that they share their community with foreigners.

As for the price, I went last year and stayed at an incredibly reasonable rate. Perhaps you are referring to some of the more upscale places like Jakes ( which is beautiful and I'm sure worth every penny although i have not had the pleasure of staying there) There are plenty of more affordable options though. And as for food and other expenses, you might find that embracing the locals could actually come in handy -- I would often buy groceries and let a local friend cook it up and share the meal with me. Its a great way to learn about the culture and cuisine while saving money and embracing new friendships.

Bless


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By I beg to disagree on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 - 03:51 pm: Edit Post

Remember the word "recession", it not only affect America, but most countries of the world. Price increase everywhere you go...take it or leave it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mrs Best on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - 01:22 am: Edit Post

RECESSION-A WITHDRAWING FROM USUAL ACTIVITY;SUSPENSION OF BUSINESS;VACATION.
LOL.O.K.
L O L
AND HAVING OVER PRICED ACCOMMODATION IN A RECESSION IS SUPPOSE TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS.

HOW?

i am entitled to my opinion as a treasure beach native and i do not opologize to any one offended when i spoke on behalf of the YOUTHS OF TREASURE BEACH. i admit BOTHERING was a little unmannerly of me and a poor choice of words.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Best Baby on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - 01:33 am: Edit Post

i should be a politician,ha ha ha.maybe when am done my college education.thanks for your feedback guys. i really appreciate it.

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By turey on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - 10:19 am: Edit Post

I agree that tourism is failing in TB.

We get less and less tourists and more and more friends.

Perfect!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - 12:29 pm: Edit Post

YES, Turey, YES!
As always, you have illuminated the essence!
This is PRECISELY the wealth of TB, now and in the future...(may it ever be so).
This forum would not be the same without your delightful and always pithy insights.
Thanks!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By I beg to disagree on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - 01:34 pm: Edit Post

{edited by TBNet}.

Do you mean to say, if i have to pay more for property taxes and the taxes to operate my business, more for the water and electricity and tiolet paper that my guests use, more salary to my employees, more for the products used to keep clean accommodation for my guest, I should keep my rate as it was before all this price increase. Do you have any idea the mass amount of taxes that has been handed down on the Jamaican tax payers recently.

Yes, blame it on the RECESSION, not on the fine business owners of Treasure Beach who are struggling to make ends meet.

In the US, the price of most food items are almost tripple what they were two years ago. You are no stranger to that....take it or leave it.

Well said Turey, we get less and less tourist and more and more friends. That's what I experience at my establishment... happy, friendly, satisfied, appreciative guests who understand the signs of the time.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By turey on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - 02:00 pm: Edit Post

Thanks Roger.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By turey on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - 02:34 pm: Edit Post

And thanks I Beg To Disagree, what better advertisement than 'Real' and 'Genuine', everyone is seeking this. Pretend just never does it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By hard times mean hard choices on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - 07:51 pm: Edit Post

I went to my dentist last week and was surprised to see that he now shares the previously spacious office with his wife who is an MD. They also share the same office and technical support personnel, as far as I saw. Service was pretty much the same; the only difference was a slightly longer wait time.
The point is, there is no need crying about price increases, they are everywhere. Smart entrepreneurs stay ahead of the game by finding ways to decrease overhead. This is a time for ingenuity and not just doing the easy thing by passing all increases on to the customer. Cut electricity usage, serve less food or search for alternative meal plans, make adjustments without degrading service; maybe we can start a thread on suggestions for savings. Realignment of profit margins is a must in these very hard times, especially in the hospitality and service sectors. Not everyone own an oilfield.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By To Hard Times on Thursday, January 28, 2010 - 09:26 am: Edit Post

I think what your dentist did was very intelligent. He cut his overhead so he did not need to increase the prices to you. You did not say he cut the prices he charged you. So what you got was a slightly longer wait time with the same prices. Your prices were not reduced.

Now translate that to the hospitality sector. Do you want a smaller meal for the same price? Would you like your electricity turned off for several hours a day? (JPS is managing to do that on their own without anyone asking.) Do you want more beds in your hotel room so it will hold more people for the same rental rate? Do you want your pool to be less than sparkling?

We in the hospitality industry must provide certain amenities to our guests. Though we do our best to shop for things at a reasonable price, we must serve fresh and nutritious meals, and we must serve enough so our guests do not feel hungry. We must provide enough staff members to be able to keep the premises neat and clean. We must provide decent wages to our staff.

At the same time, we expect cooperation from our guests. We hope they will use a moderate amount of electricity and water and not run AC when it is not needed or when they leave their room or with the window louvres open. We hope they will not take a 20 minute shower. We hope they will not want their sheets and towels washed every day.

Most places I know in Treasure Beach have worked very hard to not increase their rates for the last TWO YEARS even though their costs have gone up. People in the hospitality industry understand things are tough out there for everyone, and they are doing their best NOT to pass the costs on to their guests.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By I beg to disagree on Thursday, January 28, 2010 - 10:33 am: Edit Post

"Hard times mean hard choices", so true are these words, a very broad spectrum topic. The responsibility lies not only with the entrepeneurs, but with the consumers also....First of all,don't take a vacation if you cant afford one. Come up with some plan to make your dollars stretched when you travel. Most of the Cottages in Treasure Beach are not all inclusive. Some have kitchens where you prepare your own meal and many smart travellers have been taking advantage of this and as a result can even stay longer.

The smart entrepeneurs of TB have been staying ahead of the game by finding ways to decrease overhead and that's why TB has been one of the cheapest destination in terms of accommodation and food and also that's why most of the folks who stumbled upon us keep coming back for more or extend there stay and refuse to move on to other destinations they intended to go when they made their travel plans. However,no matter how hard you try sometimes you have to increase your price. Of all the Airlines travelling to the Caribbean, Air Jamaica is the last one to stop serving meals and start charging $25 for a second piece of luggage to cut overhead cost They just could not do it anymore. So what do you do, stay hungry or buy one of the expensive airport meal and take it on board with you since you cant take a homemade sandwich through security, take one piece of luggage or pay for the extra piece so you can bring a few presents for your freinds and family or well needed supplies for your self. Use to be you could take two suitcase for free weighing 70lbs each, now you got to pay for one and they can only weigh 50 lbs.

The reality is in these hard times we will be spending more, earning and saving less or not even earning at all. I'm sure that even though there has been these changes at your dental office there still folks who cannot afford the $75 it cost for cleaning teeth much less take a vacation.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By mnken on Thursday, January 28, 2010 - 09:37 am: Edit Post

My brother, his wife, 15 and 10 year old girls are at a facility that shall remain nameless. He loves the place, but... once he got on the beach people were trying to sell him ganja. In front of the kids. Now, he came to TB instead of Negril to get away from this. It is not that poeple were trying to sell him ganja that upset him, but the lack of respect to ask in front of children. No common sense or respect was obviously shown.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Returning Tourist on Thursday, January 28, 2010 - 12:59 pm: Edit Post

We have been renting a villa in T/B for the last several years. Our rental rates have not increased since 2007 or 2008. We send the requested amount for a food and drink allowance for our beverages and food. Toward the end of our visit we are given an itemized list by the housekeeper who does the shopping and we have always received a refund of part of the allowance we sent. I know if we decided to eat lobster every night or if we drank Scotch instead of rum and Red Stripes, we would be asked to kick in more. Fair is fair, and we believe we are getting a very fair deal.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stacie on Friday, January 29, 2010 - 11:46 am: Edit Post

I'm a bit shocked by Ms. Best's post. I find TB to be incredibly reasonably priced. I stayed almost two weeks in the fall and spent less than $1,000 for the whole stay. ($1,000 a week would have made for a much fancier trip, indeed!) Yes, it is possible to stay in a very expensive establishment, but it's certainly not necessary. I had a large, beautiful room, breakfast prepared for me every day, help with trip planning and even rides to locations that were too far to walk.

Prices in TB are quite low, especially in comparison to other parts of JA. How can we expect villa and guest house owners to lower their prices when every day they see prices for goods and services going up. Should they forget about making any money to live on and keep their prices artificially low while the cost of running their businesses goes up and up and up?

I'm sorry that Ms. Best felt that her trip was over priced. It's hard to imagine anyone traveling to TB and not leaving happy. I would recommend checking out the full range of options TB has to offer and choosing differently next time.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Less fair on Friday, January 29, 2010 - 08:18 am: Edit Post

How Returning Tourist gets charged for meals and drinks sounds much more fair than how we get charged in the villa we stay in. We pay a certain amount for the week but we never get a refund, and my husband and I are very small eaters.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Response Please on Friday, January 29, 2010 - 04:05 pm: Edit Post

Am curious why Mrs. Best has not said anything about all the comments posted. Would like to know her feelings.