She strongly believes others will buy into the chamber and the parish will be progressive, “I think that people will come in, buy into the chamber. Support our needs and ventures because it is the right thing to do and I think everybody realize that it is time for Portland and it is time to move forward”.

Thomas sees the parishes’ development will succeed with the twinning of tourism and agriculture. “Portland is one of the first parishes to be credited to starting tourism in the country and tourism started through agriculture (banana export). I think our main focus should be developing this sector that has dwindled, banana export has gone down, we have been told that coffee is on the verge of going out and I think that focusing on twinning agriculture and tourism again is the only way we can really save Portland and move it forward”.

In promoting the parish a guide will be done to promote the parish. “The chamber is planning to be very innovative and we are told that we have sister chapters in Negril, St. Ann and perhaps St. Mary that have designed a parish guide. We intend to design, promote and produce the Portland guide this year and in doing so we will be equipping attractions, businesses and everybody who wants to advertise with us with the tools to not only embrace this green concept that has now become tourism in Portland but to also move forward and learn how to structure themselves and brand and market themselves to the businesses. The Portland guide is going to be a project that will have about five tiers for the next administration to come” a confident Thomas said.

Dale Westin and Hugh Perry were elected as the first and second vice presidents respectively.