Ahhh Ras Natango rules the world

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Tamika Williams was moved to tears on learning that her family-run Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden in St James has been ranked the world’s top attraction by travellers in an AAA Club Alliance analysis of TripAdvisor reviews. “For Jamaica to make that list, and when you look at the calibre of countries and the calibre of attractions, and then this being a small business, a community tourism business, it just floored me. Never expected it,” Williams told the Jamaica Observer.

The ranking, published in July by AAA Club Alliance, was based on an analysis by ChicksX of TripAdvisor reviews, examining the frequency of positive and negative keywords visitors consistently described as “memorable”, “breathtaking”, and “better than expected”. AAA Club Alliance explained that the study distinguished these attractions from those more commonly characterised as overrated. Ahhh Ras Natango was ranked ahead of more well-known attractions, including the Irish National Stud & Gardens in Ireland; Al Noor Island in the United Arab Emirates; Canada’s Cabot Trail, Stone Hall Castle, and Capilano Suspension Bridge; Florida’s Stetson Mansion; Kiambethu Tea Farm in Kenya; Australia’s New Castle Memorial Walk and SkyPoint Climb; and The Rooms in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Williams said that when she received news of the results, “Mi just cry, just sat down and cry”. Visitors touring the Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden in Camrose, St James. That emotion was fuelled by her appreciation for the recognition, given that the attraction is still recovering from the ravages of Hurricane Melissa which devastated sections of Jamaica last October.

Four buildings, including gazebos, a restroom, and meeting area, were destroyed. The kitchen and the work area used by her husband, Ian — an artist known professionally as Ras Natango — remain out of operation, while much of the vegetation was badly damaged. “We are operational, but we’re not fully open.

We are staying the course and trying to figure out where to go, and then just out of nowhere, this came in,” Williams told the Observer. She described the international recognition as “an adrenaline shot” that renewed her determination to rebuild. “I said, ‘No man, you can’t give up.

Williams hopes the exposure will bring more visitors, increase awareness, and hel…