ILoveMobay campaign aims to turnaround ailing city
Published:Thursday | February 15, 2018 | 12:00 AMJanet Silvera/ Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Buoyed by the universal endorsement of more than 100,000 Jamaicans in a single week, organisers of the ILoveMobay campaign are predicting a major turnaround in the once fading fortunes of the island's tourism capital.
Launched on February 8, the campaign, which has the full backing of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mayor Homer Davis, Custos Conrad Pitkin, as well as other public and private entities, is aimed at presenting Montego Bay, St James, as the true epicentre for business in the western region, as well as re-establishing the city's status as the tourism hub of the Caribbean.
"It's also about creating awareness among the town's citizens, the parish of St James, the diaspora, and prospective visitors," explained the ILoveMobay founder and prominent St James businessman Douglas Gordon.
"We believe this campaign could not have come at a better time as is evident by the scores of persons, both local and throughout the diaspora, who have been signing on. It also offers the perfect opportunity for residents, whose lives are stitched into the fabric of our once friendly city, to experience the rebirth of Montego Bay's pride and purpose."
The campaign also comes against the backdrop of a state of public emergency being declared for St James owing to the out-of-control crime rate.
DAY OF LOVE
Douglas, who is also an executive of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce & Industries, said that today is being declared a 'Day of Love' in Montego Bay and will commemorate the birth of the non-profit organisation - the ILoveMobay Foundation.
"Residents, visitors, corporate partners, students, and city stakeholders are all invited to demonstrate their love for the city of Montego Bay by joining us in this day of togetherness," he noted.
"This rallying call is for all participants to wear red as it will mark the kick-off campaign for the ILoveMobay Foundation, a not-for-profit entity that has been formed to showcase, celebrate, engender, and drive pride in the city of Montego Bay. The city will also come alive with a series of activities, culminating with a concert at the Old Hospital Park, Gloucester Avenue, at 5:00 this afternoon."
The campaign, Douglas added, is also halfway to its stated goal of raising $12 million, having already secured corporate commitments of some $5 million in funding.
Some of the partners include Sandals, Billy Craig Insurance, itelBPO, Spanish Court Hotel, Re/Max, OCEAN Style, MBCCI, Business Process Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ), Sun Island, The Travel Foundation, and Junior Achievement JA.
"It is time now for the people of Montego Bay to have a clearer sense of community, pride, and purpose, and this campaign is needed now more than ever to bring renewal and hope. It is time to demonstrate our love for the city itself by each person making a conscious effort to create a lasting change," Douglas added.