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 By Fernando Davis

“Battered and bruised” by the fallout from the novel coronavirus, which has basically crippled every sector of trhe Jamaican economy, businessman Telef ‘Peter’ Hall, is optimistic about a revival in tourism for his beloved Port Antonio.

Hall, who is deeply rooted in the entertainment and restaurant business, said he has been putting in place the necessary steps to adequately prepare for the full reopening of tourism, a sector which he has credited for not only a life of success but one which has also brought a sense of stability for his entire family.

The promoter/businessman, who was born in St. Margaret’s Bay, Portland, basically grew up along the banks of the famed Rio Grande, where he had a front row seat to one of Portland’s premiere attractions and perhaps Jamaica’s oldest – rafting.

Hall recounted that as a youngster he was fascinated at what he calls “a natural spectacle”, with tourists relaxing during a down-the-river adventure on bamboo rafts while skillfully being piloted by raft captains, on the six and a half mile journey from Berrydale to Rafters Rest in St. Margaret’s Bay and along the glittering waters of the Rio Grande with its lush vegetation lingering in the background.

He said that while he has had multiple options as it relates to tourism, he decided follow his “culinary taste buds” and venture into the restaurant and entertainment business –a decision which, prior to COVID-19 seemed would pay off.

“I have invested heavily in the restaurant business, which was doing very well up until April, and prior to the shutting down of the country,” Hall added.

He continued: “I had local support from the people, who were enjoying a restaurant with a difference. My menu comprised chicken done in any style, curried goat, fish done in any style, pumpkin talkari (crushed pumpkin mixed with salt fish), shrimp, lobster, roti, fritters, breadfruit, pumpkin rice, rice and peas, vegetable, yam and banana all with varied sauces. I was also heavily supported by tourists from North America, Italy, the United States, and England.

“It is fine dining at his best in a cool atmosphere where you can enjoy your meal either at the bar, at the restaurant, on the balcony, or just out on the lawn at Cristal Nightclub (a property he also owns).”

There are four monitors (cable television) providing entertainment, sports, international news, and local news. Simply put, everyone is treated as royalty. But all of that has been disrupted by COVID-19.”

According to Hall, who operates the restaurant Roots 21 at West Palm Avenue (Boundbrook) in Port Antonio, money earned from tourism has allowed him to expand his restaurant business, which is fully operational six days per week including public holidays. On the other hand, entertainment,  has been shut down indefinitely, further crippling that aspect of his livelihood.

“I staged several events annually including Beach Rave, Road Block, Sun Up, All White, and Beach Splash. These events are heavily promoted and attracted a large audience comprising people from the United States, England, Italy, returning residents, and the local people. People travel from as far as Montego Bay to get to these events, just to enjoy the festivities.”

“Those visitors/tourists partied like crazy and they oftentimes spend US dollars and Euro. So the bottom line is that tourism has assisted me greatly to provide for myself, two brothers, my mother, 3 nephews, in-laws, and others. A prolonged shut down will definitely cripple me and therefore I am hoping that the powers that be will realize that the tourism sector is paramount to the growth of not only the economy, but to families, who are dependent on the industry,” Hall concluded.

The businessman added that he owes everything to tourism… “a sector which I basically went in with very little and made myself into a man.”

“Even though Port Antonio has been on the backburner for quite some time, stakeholders like myself have been thankful for small mercies, appreciating everything we have gotten from the sector,” he further added.

The consummate family man and community activist, Hall said he has been instrumental in mobilizing tourism stakeholders in Portland to speak with one voice in how they are going to properly combat the COVID-19 pandemic and to make the resort town of Port Antonio a force to be reckoned with when things get back to normal.

“We are a part of the resilient corridors and we want to keep it that way,” he added. “Even in the best of times we have not been getting our fair share of the pie over here in Port Antonio as it relates to tourism so we know that we will have to work twice as hard.”