The Secret Caribbean with Trevor McDonald
There are 7,000 islands which make up the Caribbean, stretching from the coast of Florida down to South America, and, in this brand new series for ITV1, Sir Trevor McDonald goes beyond the images of the region in the glossy travel brochures to discover why the rich mixture of people and cultures make it like no other place on earth.
Sir Trevor begins his journey by visiting three islands which typify the contrasts in the Caribbean. In the first part of The Secret Caribbean with Trevor McDonald:
He takes in the ‘faded romance’ of Cuba, the Caribbean’s biggest island, a country where almost everything is half a century old. He visits the oldest cigar making factory on the island, and learns about living under a communist regime where food is rationed and a television can cost more than a home.
Sir Richard Branson gives the roving reporter a personal tour around his own £200m paradise island in the stunning tax haven of the British Virgin Islands where guests pay £30,000 a night to enjoy the luxury surroundings, the tremendous views, the white sandy beaches and the crystal clear waters.
Trevor travels to his birthplace, Trinidad, for one of the highlights of the country’s calendar, a two-day long carnival. Trevor models a hand-crafted costume and soaks up the noisy, bright atmosphere as bands of up to 1000 people dance through the streets.
In Cuba, Trevor discovers a country where in large part time has stood still. When Fidel Castro overthrew the government 50 years ago America responded by imposing a trade embargo on the island – as a result many things there are more than 50 years old, including many of the cars.
With a local journalist as his guide, Juan, Trevor travels around the capital city, Havana, in a bright red classic Chevrolet.
Trevor says: “The entire city is enveloped by a sense of faded elegance. Buildings once grand and magnificent show signs of weary neglect.”
Juan explains to Trevor what life is like under a communist regime where everyone is paid equally, from doctors to taxi drivers, unemployment is less than two per cent and there are reminders everywhere that the state is in control – especially in the media.
The news presenter meets his Cuban counterpart, newsreader Mariuska Diaz to see how her daily life compares. They discuss News at Ten’s lighthearted ‘And finally…’ tales which take a different twist in Cuba – the story at the end of the bulletin that day is about a school being named after communist icon, Vladimir Ilyich Lenin.
Trevor tours the news studio and chats to Mariuska about her fame but soon discovers that celebrity status is discouraged in the country and the newsreaders are jacks of all trades – even applying their own make-up before a bulletin. Trevor is also surprised to learn that the newsreader has a second job to supplement her wage – as an MC in a club.
Juan shows Trevor his two-bedroom apartment bought for the equivalent of $200 from the government – then he takes him to an electrical shop, with nearly bare shelves. As consumerism is discouraged in Cuba, the government taxes goods, resulting in a television costing more than Juan’s apartment and some things taken for granted in Britain, like toasters, being almost impossible to obtain.
Trevor’s shopping trip with Juan, as he picks up his monthly food rations, is a world apart from a supermarket run in the UK. Trevor watches in amazement as the Cuban reporter gets rice and grains and even cigarettes and matches at a subsidised rate – his whole monthly shop costs the equivalent of just $2.
At the cigar factory, Trevor follows workers as they collect the tobacco and roll the leaves, producing three million cigars a year by hand that sell for up to £30 each in the west – more than the workers earn in a single month.
The atmosphere in the factory is buzzing as the workers chat and smoke but Trevor is astonished to see them all stop and stand in silence as the national anthem is played before the daily newspaper is read out to them.
And Trevor faces a test to his resolve when he is offered a freshly made cigar – something he gave up smoking 25 years ago.
As he leaves Cuba, Trevor says: “I wonder whether the era of a new American president will bring meaningful change to Cuba. I felt the place evokes in the visitor a real feeling of old world romance. People I met are anxious to embrace change but it seemed to me only on their own terms.”
Trevor’s stops off at the British Virgin Islands, a paradise far removed from his Cuban experience: “They are a little bit of Britain in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. The Queen is still sovereign in these parts and it’s easy to see why Britain is keen to keep an influence. The natural beauty, combined with generous tax breaks, makes these islands a magnet for some of Britain’s richest people.”
Thirty years ago Richard Branson bought Necker Island for £60,000 when it was completely barren. He has now developed it into a luxury residence which employs 70 people.
Trevor takes a look around Necker and meets some of the guests who have splashed out and flown in from New York for a three night mini-break. And Richard invites him into the office where he runs his multi-billion pound empire – a hammock over-looking the ocean.
Richard tells the programme: “We’ve had an offer in excess of £200m, but it’s priceless, we’d never sell it, it’s one of those things which is absolutely priceless. It’s a nice position to be in, I’m lucky, I am spoilt, I accept that and I pinch myself every morning.”
Trevor also rolls up his trousers and wades to the shore for a sneak preview of Richard’s latest purchase, Mosquito Island, which he plans to transform into an eco-friendly retreat with its own water and power supplies.
Finally, Trevor goes back to his roots in Trinidad, where the memories come flooding back as he takes in the annual carnival. The island, one of the richest in the Caribbean after an oil boom, gained independence in 1962 but has always retained a robust sense of its own identity, which is particularly evident on carnival day.
The numerous bands which make up the carnival each have a historical or social theme and Trevor watches as they parade through the streets in their colourful costumes, playing music and singing all through the day and late into the night.
Carnival dancers can be on their feet for up to 15 hours at a time and Trevor meets some of troupe as they show him their elaborate feathered and shiny costumes, some of which cost up to £1000. He joins in with the spirit of things, donning one of the outlandish outfits.
Steel drums are synonymous with the rhythm of the annual celebrations. He meets the man who makes the carefully crafted instruments, sold all over the world, which Trevor refers to as the ‘heartbeat’ of the carnival.
Trevor says: “Watching the festival this year brought back for me a flood of warm memories. For two days Trinidadians put all their problems behind them and lose themselves with abandon in a riot of noise and colour.
“They know there will be a more sober tomorrow but that simply means 364 days till the next carnival.”
Sunday, 28 June 2009, 8:00PM – 9:00PM
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Totally biased (against Jamaica), there’s a really bad crime situation in Trinidad, Kidnappings, rapes, Drug Smuggling and human trafficking (all at record levels). Seemed more interested in Golf, Private Islands and villas. Go to places less boring like jakes on the South Coast of jamaica. Ian Flemming wrote James Bond while living in Jamaica. You went to jamaica and it seems the first places you wanted to visit was the prisons. If British people come to Jamaica to smuggle drugs and they got caught they should be dealt with according to Jamaican laws. Thought you you were a journalist, very disappointed with your standards.
As a West Indian myself from Grenada, I’ve found the programme rather interesting. I saw clips of his visit to Grenada and his involvement with protected turtle nesting activities, something I helped set up while at secondary school, and some I am eagerly awaiting that part of the series. Well done Sir Trevor… wonderful start to the series thus far. (Loved the Trinidad carnival…)
Secret Caribbean, interesting program, beautiful background music composed by Samuel Sim but what is it called???
I think the program is very good,What was the music played in the background?while seeing of the lady at Richard Bransons place,please
What is the name of the song please,in the background of the richard Branson interview?
I loved parts 1 and 2, and am totally looking forward to part 3. I can see why Sir Trevor has been successful as a journalist. He was well informed, fully interested in his subject matter and his guests, and made every guest feel comfortable. I look forward to other specials presented by him.
Yours etc.
I so agree with Stephen (28th June). The feature of Jamaica was basically – There is a very nice part of Jamaica called Belle Air, but lets not go there. Let’s focus on the stereotype Jamaica – land of Guns, crime, Drugs, Prison. Even the part about the Blue Montain coffee had a negative slant.
I was also disappointed. Shame on you Sir Trevor!
I so agree with Stephen (28th June).
Everytime Jamaica is on TV it is portrayed as violent and Drug fuelled country with nothing going for it. Trevor McDonald has seriously let himself down here!!!! The one good part of jamaica spoke of is of a white farmer who reeps the benefits of the countries expensive produce.
I cannot believe Trevor McDonald has betrayed the Caribbean in this way.
Is Cuba no more than cigars? Is Trinidad all steel pans and carnivals? The Bahamas no more than wealthy individuals who can buy their own islands and rent them out at a premium?
What about Jamaica – is it all drugs,violence and coffee? There surely must be more to Barbados than white land owners amassing as much of the island as they can?
The real secret is out and it is simply this – any real Caribbean would be utterly ashamed and totally disgraced…..
Sir Trevor, shame on you – why not a more balanced portrayal of the beautiful Island of Jamaica?
Yes, it has its problems – as does every country in the known world and certainly every island in the caribbean, but to only focus attention on the negative – drugs and violence – when there’s so much positive about the island is totally unbiased and unforgivable!!!
If it’s such a dreadful, frightening place; why is it one of the most popular, most visited island paradises frquented by the rich and famous alike? – Why do so many people, both rich and poor decide to settle?
Having just returned from a very enjoyable visit – I can tell you, my experiences were uplifting, positive and I’ll definitely be returning to one of the most visually beautiful, most vibrant, exuberant and friendly islands of the whole caribbean!!! VIVA JAMAICA!
I was very excited about watching this show as a Caribbean person. But sadly it let me down. There is hardly anything about the actual Caribbean people more about rich white people who have managed to buy their own islands or own proportions of the Caribbean. How ridiculus, these people do not represent the Caribbean!
It has nothing to do with the Caribbean (except in Jamaica where the only ACTUAL Caribbeans they showed were portrayed as drug fuelled paupers). And people think racism and predjudice is dead. I’m dissapointed that sir trev even agreed to do the show.
p.s i agree with the above peoples comments. Its such a shame!
I hope that should he ever revisit Jamaica he will return with a more balanced,unbiased opinion of a wonderful island race – and may the only arrests that he reports on will be a glorious arrest of the senses!
I’m not entirely sure why I am even slightly surprised in my disappointment in the show and the bold bias of part 2.
It is quite ironic that a show with a title suggesting that “secrets” will be revealed, simply continues to support the stereotypes that are known to us all.
The aim of the show is to highlight the contrasts between the islands and I suppose this was the laziest and most predictable way~
=/
I am British and I fell in love with Jamaica, my husband’s homeland, 22 years ago. After years of seeing Jamaica being run down by the British media I too was expecting that ‘The Secret Caribbean’ would finally portray Jamaica in a positive light, as an island of warm natured, innovative people who rise above the economic difficulties that the island faces with dignity and pride. Instead I confess to being horrified at the portrayal of Jamaica as being a violent island where the culture is made up of guns and drugs. Why, oh why, can programme makers not break out of the stereotypical image of the island which we have seen presented over the years? About 22 years ago Songs of Praise highlighted people living on the city dump in Kingston and I feel that the media’s image of Jamaica has not really changed since then! Our beautiful island has once again been dragged through the mud!
All praise to the organisations who are working amongst the gangs that we know do exist, but why was the only ‘positive’ view of a legitimate business that of a white coffee grower? Sir Trevor asked the question why could Jamaica not spend more time producing coffee rather than drugs. My business, the Blue Mountain Emporium, imports Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee from the Mavis Bank Coffee Factory and puts 10% of our profits towards supporting high school scholarship programmes in Jamaica. Had Sir Trevor visited Mavis Bank he would have seen professional black Jamaicans running the largest of the coffee production companies in the island. Sir Trevor could have discussed how the producers and the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica look after the small coffee farmers who produce our marvellous coffee operating a pre-payment scheme to help with their cash flow, support with fertilizers and help to replace hurricane damaged trees in a scheme which I believe is as good, if not better than FairTrade. Or why not go to Walkerswood and tell the story of this community whose co-operative is producing the sauces that we can buy from our high street supermarkets, while providing jobs for all the young people of the area who want to work there? Could we not have seen a positive image of our beautiful island on a programme that I expected would break the stereotypes?
Very interesting, I am afraid I cannot comment as I have not seen episode one or two as yet, I hope to be back to comment once I have.
Quentin,if you find out the name of the song,please put it up on the notice board! I thought it was from an old 007 movie.
Stevie, I contacted Samuel who very kindly sent me a link to the background music, I feel to post it on the notice board should require his permission as its his copyright so I will contact him to ask for this.
Ok,thank you for letting me know. Please keep me posted. Thanks
I watch the program last night and was rather angry that the focus on Barbados was about the wealth of Sir Charles and not about the country and the local people. And the report on Jamaica was so negative…
I am not from either island but I am from the french island of Guadeloupe (which is never spoken about). Trinidad also as a high crime rate. Next time there is such a program the need to focus more on the locals and the country.
Why is the prerequiste for a good programme is the highlighting of the negatives? I think its refreshing to have a different perspective. If negative programming entice you, I sincerely invite you to view the BBC documentaries… Bloody, sweat and takeaways etc..If you want to feel sorry for leaving in an economically advanced society,,, go right ahead.
Just that you know… I was born in Grenada…and did the odd jobs to get through life… went to school bare-feeted (sometimes)… fitch water before going to school…farm the land after returning from school..rare animals… I did the lot… But you know what.. I makes one appreciate success much more… I had a wonderful social system comprising families and friends and now I am a PhD student…What’s the big deal? That’s life…. if there wasn’t imbalance in wealth and economic systems trade will not happen and civilisation as we know it today may not have been…. ENJOY the Documentary without feeling sad….
I didn’t enjoy it one bit!!! Jamaica is a country that is filled with history and beauty yet Trevor wasn’t interested in that he was more focused on the negative side to Jamaica… It’s strange how he didn’t highlighted his native home Trinidad HIGH CRIME RATE but decided to tarnish the reputation of Jamaica… I have written to the Jamaica Prime Minister and House of parliament regarding the matter… I have also started a group on face book which is called “STOP the British/USA Media from ruining Jamaica’s reputation”
I am outrage by Trevor McDonald. Trinidad is no better than Jamaica. Yes he went to Blue Mountain Coffee PLANTATION which angered me. Knowing the history of PLANTATION in the Caribbean why would someone in the right mind talk about plantation as if its something good. At the end of the Jamaica series it was like he was saying that Jamaica should go back its PLANTATION life style in order to have a better economy. I am so upset!!!
The documentary was not balanced they focused more on the negative asspects of jamaica rather than balancing it… I agree with Nicola the whole Plantation bit was strange… White plantation owner black worker kinda piant a picture of slavery not that it is though…
I could not have agreed more with Carole Brown. All I can say to everyone who loves the beautiful island of Jamaica is to make your feelings known to the makers/ITV as I have done and is encouraging others to do. I for one is fed up of programmers makers lazy journalism falling into stereotype when making programmes on the Caribbean and in particular Jamaica. I visit Jamaica every year and never tire of it’s beauty and the warmth of the people. My parents returned there after almost 40 yrs in the UK and have the most fabulous life. If you are going to go there and break it’s law then you must face the consequence.
Shame on you Sir Trevor; I expected so much more from you and was sorely disappointed.
After watching part 2……..I am so upset. I never want to see another episode.
Im not from Barbados, but he did not spoke about the local people there.He was so focused on Sir Charles who own most of the land there.I was not a nice thing to see.If you notice he is promoting the island to the rich and famous to buy LAND and ISLANDS.
I thought the show was about taking us into the unknown beauty of the caribbean by showing us the undiscovered islands etc.
He went to his home country trinidad and show the Local people.
Here we go AGAIN>>>>Jamaica, CRIME,DRUGS and PRISION….. what about the beauty of the country i.e the culture, food, beaches etc. He is a Typical want to be. I am not gonna even mention CUBA.
I really do not know his intentions….but Trevor.. I do not really think that people in the caribbean will give you a warm welcome…….we are not Fools.
You have just lost your ratings.
I encourage anyone who, really feel upset to make a complaint to ITV.
I have made mine, so should you.
even to send them a line saying: I wasnt happy
I hope you guys do…..Keep praying peeps because we are strong believer in GOD. He bless us with the treasure of warm sunshine, fun, beaches, food and culture.
I think you guys should report to Ofcom as well. Make ur voice heard and spread the news around.
MR. MACDONALD, DO YOU THINK THAT TRINIDAD IS BETTER THAN JAMAICA, YOU MUST BE DREAMING, WE ARE ALL APPALLED AT WHAT YOU DID,WHAT WERE YOUR INTENTIONS, SHOWING A PRISON AS REAL JAMAICA, WHILE THE OTHER CARIBBEAN ISLANDS WERE SHOWN IN ALL THEIR GLORY, THE LEAST YOU COULD DO IS SHOW DUNNS RIVER IF YOU WERE TOO STUNNED TO SHOW THE REST OF OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY, EMBARRASSED MR. MACDONALD THAT WE ARE TEN TIMES THE COUNTRY TRINIDAD WHICH THEY COULD BE.
I’m in total disgust with the documentary episode one was ok but it was apparent that Trevor was hell bent on not making any stops in the upper class areas of J.A., The North Coast, Ochi, Negril, Portland, etc. There’s too many positives in Jamaica that out weigh the negatives. We all know there is a problem in Jamaica and has been for a while but why are there so many foreign investors/developers in Jamaica right now building resorts? I think Trevor and ITV need to visit Mexico and observe what’s going on there right now and investigate that secret.
Jamaica has alot of potential he should have investigated that secret. He didn’t mention the problem of business people being kidnapping and held for randsom in Trinidad, not many people know that secret. I lived the South Florida for 12 years and everyday some one is shot, murdered,robbed or raped. This is just in South Florida, not to mention Orlando, Jacksonville, California, New York, the list goes on. What about South Africa, the killing there is off the scale.
Another point, I thought Trevor was a Journalist has he not travelled and seen police forces with sub-machine guns before? Has he not been to the Middle East, and Heathrow Airport.
I love Jamaica to the bone, I was born in England but will not give up on Jamaica, potential is there.
Shame on you ITV and Trevor
I am disappointed at Trevor McDonald’s portrayal of the Caribbean, in particular Jamaica, but not entirely surprised. He is typical of the Black man who struggles to reach the top and in the process forgets who they are. Or worse still thinks they have to divest themselves of their culture, which often means devaluing it, so that they can be accepted by the dominant culture.
Sad, sad, sad!!
I really don’t get why everyone seems to be upset?
Did anyone read the objectives of this programme?
This is NOT a tourist PR..
The focus is a follow:
General: To provide a documentary on “starkly different islands” of the Caribbean. (Have a read again)
Specific – Jamaica context.
At the beginning of the second series he identified the aim of the Jamaica series:
To show the dual economy which exist in Jamaica. He made the issue clear that “if there is a starkly different island of the Caribbean it’s Jamaica”. In fact, Jamaica is replica of India, a major dual economy where the rich live on one side and the poor on the other. Its not unique to Jamaica, but you have to admit, it is most profound in Jamaica… Trinidad have crime but Trevor’s documentary is looking for the most starking contrast…
Honestly, I think this is honest research… If you are looking for a tourist documentary… try Sky travel channels…
I am loving the series.
u dont have a clue…… anyways…..I dnt think u understand wht truly hurt everyone.
Bryan unfortunately you don’t know what your talking about. The show clearly portrayed certain islands in a total negative light and others quite the opposite. If your looking for a starking contrast then the culture, music, sport and food all outweigh other islands due to its diversity and larger population. I’m guessing you have probably never been to any of these islands and i know for you to write this comment you definitely have not been to Jamaica. I have been to Jamaica 4 times and many other caribbean islands so I have more of an insight into the truth.
Trevor your small mind and your concealed envy will act as poison inside of you. You have shown now that you have no honor, and deserve not the title of “Sir.”
Bryan after reading your ridiculous post i have concluded that you are not of Jamaican/probably Caribbean background… How dare you compare Jamaica to India!!! How Dare you!!! My mother is Jamaican my dad is from barbados and I am British. I’ve been to Jamaica almost every Year,my family isnt poor and we dont live in a rich area… Its obvious that you dont know what you are talking about. The way Barbados was shown is upsetting as well one man trying to buy up all the land to cater to the rich and famous… ITV needs to go back to the drawing board because visiting a plantaing seem like going back the time of slavery.
@ STUPID BRYAN. Doesnt the rich live on one side and the poor live on the other side everywhere. I take it tht u arent from the caribbean. Trevor is BIAS and I sat it again BIAS. Y didnt he show the bad side to trinidad……Is trinidad all about CARNIVAL. TELL ME…..WOT ABT THE LOCAL PEOPLE IN THE OTHER ISLAND.
I HAVE BEEN MAKING COMPLAINTS NONE STOP>>
I just came over to share my piece, i didnt know that this much people would find what Trevor done upsetting.. It wasnt balanced too much negativity about Jamaica and Barbados well lets say i didnt see one black face when he went there.
He was very sarcastic in most of what he said. Should this be classed as Black On Black Racism, Prejudice or Discrimination. The series done more harm than good
For all those who didnt like what was shown can make an official complain to ITV.. E-mail address below
viewerservices@itv.com
I was born and grown in Jamaica, listening to Trevor’s comments last night I feel he is a trator, he was born in Trinidad and it was though he didn’t know anything about the carribean routes. Has he never seen a coffee bean before? What about Noel Cowards house and the beach where James Bond was filmed and all the Spanish Hotels being built bringing in jobs and building back the economy? Jamaica is one of the most beautiful and unracist countries which might have a few problems caused by corrupt goverment governed by greed. Trevor has made a few bob in England and has now made a fool of himself portraying black people as violent, druggies with no respect for each other. The ITV producers should be ashamed of themselves.
I watched Trevor Mc Donald -secret caribbean and i am absolutley disgusted to the point that i am angry!
I was so looking forward to watching this week episode after watching last weeks-
He explored the Necker Islands, he went onto Havana and showed how brilliant and unspoilt it was- he even went onto to Trinidad and captured the greatest party of all times the carnival- which i myself take part in every year.
So being of Jamaican descent i could wait for this weeks episode for him to show what unspoilt features jamaica has to offer- instead Trevor slated jamaica down to the ground- he expressed how drug run it is, how prison life is and the high rate of killings- I am absoultely disgusted- he went to all the other islands and made them look immaculate but yet he never went anywhere is jamaica to show its true beauty- places like YS falls, Dunns River only to name but a few.
Instead he went to the local womens prison like thats all jamaica has to offer!!!!!
Every island has a womans prison, every island has killings, every island has drug related problems or does Trevor forgets he lives in the UK where there is a teenager shot and stabbed everyday!!!!
I was so upset by this- he then went onto Barbados- showing their glorious hotels and their polo club and then ended the programme by saying barbados is absoultly stunning-
So what does that have to say about jamaica- the only thing we can do is produce coffee cause all the other times we are killing each other and smuggling drugs!!!
His precious island of Trinidad is high with crime rates and murder and Child trafficking- also it has the highest rate of kidnapping but Trevor never showed that did he!!!!!
I hope you will allow trevor to see all views the damage is done already- you have portrayed jamaica to be violent and horrible and i sincerley hope that after watching your programme i hope it does not put holiday makers off visiting the beautiful island im not put off
Im off there next sat for the biggest reggae festival in the world SUMFEST!!!!
WELL SAID AMANDA!!! I HOPE ITV SEES THIS. WE HAVE TO COMPLAIN FORMALLY IF WE WANT ANYTHING TO BE DONE I HAVE SENT THEM AN E-MAIL YOU SHOULD SEND YOUR’S WE NEED TO SPEAK UP AND TAKE A STAND NOT BECAUSE WE ARE A SMALL ISLAND THAT MEAN THEY CAN WALK ALL OVER US LIKE DIRT!!!!
viewerservices@itv.com
I guess that there are a lots of Jamaicans (born or otherwise) complaining!!! This is not a documentary on Jamaica… As stated before, what is the stated objectives of the documentary? Island contrast! (Maybe the variables used to do the contrast was not well balanced, but then again, that is subjective)
Is anything said or shown in the documentary lies? Showing the other side of Jamaica, does it change the FACT that the country is the most dual economy of the Caribbean? (Clarification on what constitutes a dual economy – is a country with a relatively average economic growth rate with a low level of “well off” citizens together with the majority of poor citizen. Hence, there are similarities with India and Jamaica).
Most of the those complaining please refer to Morgan Heritage song wherein they ask that the world see the different side of Jamaica… the non-glossy side of Island of Sun, Sand and Music… but the cold hard facts of poverty and inequality…
Re: “I have never been to the caribbean”… Sorry guys, I am a born West Indian who have worked quite extensively in Jamaica, Barbados, Trindad, St.Lucia, St. Vincent, and Grenada. I have experience my fair share of caribbean life..they all have their share of problems, its just unfortunate the Jamaica has a high crime rate and gang related violence..
Again, I support the documentary. It is a honest piece of process research and on my authority as a doctoral researcher in social inequality, ethical supply and corporate responsibility, given the research objective(s) the research/documentary findings and analysis is as objective as it can be. Taking into account the research contrains of time, resources and other pending limitations.
Bryan – BORN AND BREAD WEST INDIAN!!!!!!!!!
The program aired on Sunday was one of the most biased piece of reporting I have seen in my lifetime. Sir Trevor McDonald missed the mark by a long way and needs to research his information before stating them as fact on primetime TV.
While I, as a Jamaican, acknowledge that there is a problem in Jamaica with regards to crime and unemployment, and that we do have ghettos and poor people (apparently nowhere else does), that piece gave the impression that all of Jamaica was one big dump with people smoking ganja and carrying automatic weapons.
I know he has lived over here for the large part of his life, and even when he lived in the Caribbean he lived in Trinidad. Given that misfortune there are some facts that I want to share with Sir Trevor. The first is that Jamaica consists of 14 Parishes. Kingston is one of the smallest and Nannyville is but a tiny community within Kingston. The CIA world facts 2009 lists Jamaica’s unemployment at just over 10% and Kingston houses the large majority of Jamaica’s largest businesses and hence employs more people than most of the rest of the island put together.. how it has an unemployment rate of 75% is beyond me. Jamaica, while home to the female prison Fort Augustus, (apparently the only one in the world),is also home to Sandals resorts one of the finest all inclusive resorts on the planet, Half Moon hotel is one of the most exclusive to be found anywhere, Rio Hotel group has also opened doors in Jamaica.. are his cameras not allowed in those places? I’m sure it would have been as easy to find an escort through those properties as it was to find that social worker.
I believe that if you don’t like the place its ok but there is no need to blight the future for the people who live there as they are heavily dependant on tourism and that sort of exposure does little to help to decrease the alleged 75% unemployment rate.
Oddly enough Jamaica still has over 1m visitors to its shores every year albeit very little from this side of the pond mainly due to bad publicity like that on show on your station and Sirs it is fact that Barbados, while they have no prisons or ghettos or drugs can still only manage half that amount.
Bryan your comments are so utterly stupid that they dont even warrant a reply. That documentary was not about Jamaica? I guess because of it then Jamaicans, will have to all man the airport next week to process the flow of tourists that will leave these shores gagging to see the ghettos of Nannyville or the Womans prison..what kind of researcher can you be if you dont see that a piece like that does no good WHATSOEVER to an economy that is as dependant on tourism as that of Jamaica are you kidding me get real
Ok you guy are too focused on Jamaica what about Barbados there is no one talking about us. I was upset on how trevor portrayed Barbados. Yes its fantastic Island. There are loads of other stuff which he could have showed, Saint Michael which is deeply rich in history and none of that was shown all he focused on was one person trying to buy all the land not one local was in the footage… I have been to Both Trinidad and Jamaica and i think Trinidad is some what worse than Jamaica. It was very upsetting.
First BRYAN let me start with you. what do you mean honest research? If he was in communications school and given that piece as a coursework to do a contrasting feature on Jamaica, he would have failed miserably..
Clearly you and Trevor (forget the Sir) are still mentally enslaved….you two are like OREO cookies. If you really wanted to depict a contrast or dual economy in could be done in a more honest way..this is not about PR. its about the truth both positive and negative,and what is this 75% unemployment figure, you think this is Zimbabwe? Trinidad happens to have the highest rate of kidnappings in the Caribbean hands down and at current trends should be up to Jamaica’s Crime rate in a few short years…that wasnt highlighted.
Jamaica has just been rated the 3rd happiest country in the world (cnn.com)despite the odds…..and why is Jamaica so known… you think its for the crime alone??? We have the highest level of achievers across the Caribbean in all categories worldwide… whether it be music sports you name it….
FYI also Bryan rich and poor is a phenomenon that exists in every society…..whoever this Trevor dude is…he did himself a great disservice, whatever notoriety he achieved as a journalist over time has been seriously compromised with this one piece. Trevor /ITV people are not stupid we live in an information age and in a Global Village…any misinformation put out in the public domain will be sharply and objectively refuted within minutes…enough said!
I think everybody here should write an email to ITV, i did earlier this morning and I have gotten a response saying that my comments will be taken to the production team and senior management…
here is the email address again
viewerservices@itv.com
Unemployment Rate 9.9%
This e-mail is in response to Errol S’s statement that Jamaica gets 1M visitors a year and Barbados only gets half that. Lemme lay out why that’s a bad analogy.
SIZE:
Barbados = 166 sq mi/431 km
Jamaica = 4,444 sq mi/11,100 km
POPULATION:
Barbados = 279,000
Jamaica = 2,825,928
AIRPORTS:
Barbados = 1 (Grantley Adams)
Jamaica = 2 (Norman Manley & Sangster), plus 4 other local cummuter airports and numerous landing strips
LODGING:
Barbados = Hotels 113+, B&B/Inns 26+, Specialty lodging 65+, Vacation Rentals 329
Jamaica = Hotels 306+, B&B/Inns 76+, Specialty lodging 75+, Vacation Rentals 789+
PORTS
Barbados = 1 (Barbados Port Authority)
Jamaica = 6+ (Port Esquivel in St. Catherine (WINDALCO), Rocky Point in Clarendon, Port Kaiser in St. Elizabeth, Port Rhoades in Discovery Bay, Reynolds Pier in Ocho Rios, and Boundbrook Port in Port Antonio). The others handle containers and agricultural products.
So tell me something, where the heck would you expect Barbados to put 1M visitors? You have the land area, plus the lodging space and air and seaport options to handle that number, we’re still a smallie as bigger Caribbean countries have always referred to the smaller islands. I know you’re joking when you say Barbados has no drugs, prisons or ghettos, so I’ll leave that alone. Barbados can fit into Jamaica 26 times, so you should have picked a different country to compare to, like Trinidad.