Italian Ambassador to Jamaica Armando Varricchio says Campari’s investment strengthens the relationship between Italy and Jamaica.

APPLETON, St Elizabeth – There was just one discordant note at Thursday’s triumphant formal unveiling of the Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience at the Appleton Estate in northern St Elizabeth.

The problem is that the Jamaica Government’s long-promised rail service from Montego Bay to Appleton, which is to transport tourists to what is being described as an “unparalleled” rum experience, remains just a plan.

As projected by planners from the Government, Appleton and its parent company, Italian liquor giant Campari Group, the rail will help boost the number of visitors to Appleton from 50,000 — when the tour attaction was closed more than a year ago to allow massive reconstruction — to 200,000 annually.

On Thursday, J Wray & Nephew Chairman Clement “Jimmy” Lawrence made it abundantly clear that return of the rail service which collapsed decades ago was essential to the success of Campari’s US$7.2-million investment in the Appleton Estate rum experience.

“Though we had anticipated the resuscitation of the railway service, unfortunately it has not materialised,” Lawrence told scores of visitors and Appleton employees.

“Let me underscore the importance of the rail service, particularly the Montego Bay to Appleton leg. The rum experience, which can accommodate 200,000 visitors annually, will not maximise its capacity in the absence of this mode of transportation. I know and appreciate the Government is making its best efforts for this to happen, but its importance cannot be overemphasised,” he added.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, who has described Campari’s investment at Appleton as a huge boost for Jamaica’s US$3-billion visitor industry, had reassuring words. The Government was working on a partnership with entrepreneurs to get the project going, the minister said.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/appleton-anxiously-awaits-rail-service_123074