Mr. Stafford Burrowes This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. Hospitality Jamaica :: stafford burrowes - A dream realised

   www.hospitalityjamaica.com/fea - [Cached]

   Published on: 1/20/2007   Last Visited: 11/27/2007

   Dolphin Cove's owner, Stafford Burrowes, is a man who can hardly do anything wrong these days. Having just completed a $250 million expansion to his Ocho Rios-based swimming-with-the dolphins facility, Mr. Burrowes - in his own way - has created an empire which, today, is the largest marine facility in the Caribbean.
   
   But how did he do it? How did he take an idea, which at the time was a novelty at best, and turn Dolphin Cove into what it is today?
   
   "I just acted on a long-standing belief that a swimming-with-the-dolphins facility in Ocho Rios would create wonders for the tourism industry," Mr. Burrowes said. "It is by no means a surprise to me that Dolphin Cove is today one of the more popular attractions in the Caribbean."
   
   But how did it all start ... and why Ocho Rios?
   
   "The idea for Dolphin Cove was conceived some nine years ago when I wanted to keep a pet dolphin at my home here in Ocho Rios," Mr. Burrowes said, his loud laughter forcing a playful rebuke from wife Marilyn.
   
   "I was soon to realise that it would be easier said than done, especially after being aware of all the special permits I would need. It, however, dawned on me then that I could build an attraction where people could come and swim with the dolphins and enjoy a marine-type complex, practically on the sea, with lush vegetation as a backdrop."
   
   holding on to the vision
   
   Mr. Burrowes, his voice now turning very serious, said the first major hurdle he faced was in trying to get potential investors to buy into the concept. "It wasn't the easiest thing to get done," he said.
   ...
   So far, according to Mr. Burrowes, none have ventured to leave the facility.
   ...
   "There's really no secret," Mr. Burrowes said. "It is simply a matter of creating your own little niche ... having a quality product that people will love and will want to share with their families and friends ... that is the secret to the success of Dolphin Cove."
   
   Mr. Burrowes was also quick to add that Dolphin Cove wasn't just all about making money, noting that "we have never failed to open our doors - especially to children - so they can share in the experience". "Yes, we are very big on charitable causes," he added.
   
   His wife, Marilyn, who is also the marketing director of Dolphin Cove, pointed to frequent visits by school children, including youngsters from the Windsor Girls' Home in St. Ann's Bay as "things we have had no problem doing".
   
   And what more should we expect from Dolphin Cove? "We will continue to improve on what we have so as to maintain our status as a premier attraction," Mr. Burrowes said.

2. 2. The dolphin debate - JAMAICAOBSERVER.COM

   www.jamaicaobserver.com/letter - [Cached]

   Published on: 11/12/2004   Last Visited: 11/12/2004

   With all due respect to Mr Stafford Burrowes, the majority owner of Dolphin Cove Ocho Rios, he is not a dolphin biologist.">
   ...
   With all due respect to Mr Stafford Burrowes, the majority owner of Dolphin Cove Ocho Rios, he is not a dolphin biologist.
   
   Neither he nor anyone I know whom he employs is qualified to make statements about Cuba's dolphin population.

3. 3. Multi million dollar expansion for Dolphin Cove - Big financial boost for Ocho Rios - Counterpart Caribbean

   www.caribbeanmediaexchange.com - [Cached]

   Published on: 8/1/2003   Last Visited: 10/22/2003

   This, according to owner Stafford Burrowes, will ensure that Dolphin Cove not only maintains its market share but could adequately compete with the over 10 new dolphin facilities which have been established recently in Florida and the Caribbean. The expansion he said would coincide with the beginning of the new winter tourist season.
   
   "The cruise shipping industry has been pushing us to increase our capacity so it may schedule more ships to arrive in both Montego Bay and Ocho Rios," Mr. Burrowes said.
   ...
   Mr. Burrowes is even promising greater things. He said his new expansion will cover approximately 60,000 square feet and will include a new pier with the intention being to ferry the passengers directly from the cruise ships into Dolphin Cove.
   
   "The town of Ocho Rios has had over 40 per cent increase in cruise passenger due to the allure of Dolphin Cove," Mr. Burrowes added.
   ...
   Mr. Burrowes added that the attraction will develop special dive encounters in open ocean for scuba divers as was the custom in other countries. He said that an education facility will also be developed where students can earn college credits doing their internship at the facility.