Sent to the Gleaner, not published yet

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I have a small business in the tourist industry in St Elizabeth & since I have been here our most popular attraction by far has been the Pelican Bar.

The Pelican Bar is as close as I have been in years to anything that reminded me of the old Jamaica, the liming, relaxed spot which led to the incredible popularity that Jamaica enjoys now as a tourist destination.

Many of the people in our area who would have been fishermen in earlier days now depend upon carrying tourists to the Pelican Bar for their living, & with the seas now so depleted & the fishing business so far down we are all grateful to have such a wonderful spot that feels like our special 'Roots' corner in Treasure Beach. All of the Treasure Beach boatmen have had to go thru extensive training, including lifesaving, to maintain their licenses, & the water at the bar is about waist deep, so the minimal danger to tourist's is much less than our beaches, where the occasional poor swimmer is swept away. There are some who feel that the bar must have a bathroom, but face it, the things that would make it more 'regulation' would also completely destroy it's character!

The fishing boats don't have bathrooms , so the savvy person goes to the loo before they go....... just like on every other long journey!

Floyd Forbes, the visionary who built one of the most popular attractions in Jamaica out of a pile of sticks, is now coming under incredible pressure from the government to comply with regulations that will for all intents & purposes totally change the nature of the little gem he has created.

What can possibly be done to preserve the Pelican Bar as we know & love it?

I would have no qualms what so ever about signing, & having all my guests sign, a disclaimer saying we accept complete responsibility for ourselves while visiting.
The boatmen could also require the same thing.

No big deal.

I have stood in the bar with such a huge number of people [not to mention some exceptionally huge people] & marveled at the structural tenacity that kept it from even wavering.... it feels much safer than many bridges I have crossed in my car, so I have absolutely no worries in that area.

Is there some way we might harken back to our roots enough to save this treasure?

So many islands, particularly Dominican Republic, offer such cheap vacation packages that savage competition is set up for price wars that mean those who are trying to make a living come out way behind.

What we have that sets us apart is encapsulated by places like the Pelican Bar. This is a place you would find only in Jamaica. Many people come here just for that.

Could this off shore natural gem possibly be given an exception so we are able to adjust our regulations not to bite the hand that feeds us?

-Elizabeth Seltzer

? There is a lot of foreigners in Treasure Beach doing business make sure you are register with the tourist board and paying commercial taxes.

What have the authorities asked Floyd to do exactly to comply with regulations?

Local residents in TB should take this up with the Tourist Board everyone should pay their own fair share...

This thread is about the Pelican Bar. We won't approve any more off topic posts.

-TBNet

I just cannot imagine Treasure Beach without Floyd's Pelican Bar !!
I truly hope everything is worked out, so that the Pelican Bar remains open.
Also, it will be a terrible financial blow to the boat operators if Floyd's closes.
Why, after all these years would the government do that ?
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

"What have the authorities asked Floyd to do exactly to comply with regulations?"

^ I am wondering this also.

8 years ago i saw an article on Pelican Bar in a travel magazine and told Vic i had to find out if that bar is real...we went and have been back to Treasure Beach every year since...don't always go to Pelican but it brought us to paradise!..BIG mistake to lose it. Mighty Quinn

port-o-potty,that's it, govt. is right,comply Floyd

Yes a "port-o-potty" would be he answer, but I think there is also a question about the construction of the bar.
Is Eggy's also in jeopardy ?
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

treasure beach villas and guesthouse be aware the jamaica tourist board are comeing in full colors some peope as gotten letter given them 90 days to comply are close down iam one of them so to all villas and bed & breakfast and people in the tousist enterprise look out

Every one is in jeopardy if you swim in your own or others (international) "you know what" [edited by TBNet] ! Simple... keep the waters clean! Buisness provide what's best for your clientele. A no brainer that is in mind of every one's well being! Test the waters, count the fish... know that there's a best sololution for health & welfare of all!

Tourist Board will be coming to check on all villas.... Guys look out.

Irie Fish Tea.
What is the name of your guesthouse ?
Do you have a website for it ?
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

Does that mean that every little bar in JA will have to have a bathroom?

Floyd has brought so much tourism to the South Coast and JA as a whole, he should get financial help (maybe from the 'cluster'). So every time there is a hurricane or storm and he has to rebuild, he is going to have to go to the expense of building a bathroom!!!??

Don't be afraid of tourist board they are just making sure we are providing a good product and contributing to the national development , let us all do our fair share,

Can Floyd's have a Porto potty on a floating dock that can be pulled into Black River for servicing when needed.