COMMUNITY INTEREST AND SUPPORT

During June, July & August of 1995 JHTL personnel conducted a random survey of 194 households in Falmouth. The purpose of the survey was to gather information on a variety of questions, i.e., development of Falmouth, method of garbage disposal, type of cooking fuel, type of toilet facilities, etc. The following questions concerning the historic district were asked.

1. How do you feel about the development of the Historic District? (This question was asked before the Historic District was declared a National Monument.)

Response: 96% good, 4% not good

2. What do you think about heritage and/or community tourism in Falmouth?

Response: 81% good, 15% no comment, 4% bad

3. Do you feel that you and your community would benefit from the development of Falmouth?

Response: 85%yes, 13% don't know, 2% no

A similar survey was conducted by Ms Suzette Hines, a student at the University of Technology in Kingston, as part of her research for her final project paper for a degree in tourism management (Hines 1998). Ms Hines asked the following questions.

1. How important is the history of Falmouth to you and your family?

Response: 70% very important, 24% important, 6% not important

2. Do you think that the history of Falmouth makes up a significant part of Jamaica's history?

Response: 100% yes

3. How do you feel about the proposal to develop Falmouth as one of Jamaica's major heritage tourist attractions?

Response: 81% very excited, 15% excited, 4% not excited

4. How many benefits do you see the residents receiving for the development of Falmouth as a heritage attraction?

Response: 80% many benefits, 11% few benefits, 9% no benefits

The table below illustrates the responses of citizens of Falmouth when they were asked to list the benefits that they though the residents of Falmouth might receive from development.

RESPONSE PERCENTAGE

Employment 48.2
Better Housing 8.8
Employment & Better Housing 13.1
Investment Opportunity 6.1
Investment Opportunity & Better Housing Conditions 8.8
Infrastructure Development 3.6
No Response 11.4