The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup is on, amidst much drama on and off the field.  So far, a number of records have been broken with the most significant, in my opinion, being Matthew Hayden's murderous 100 in just 66 balls.

From the home team's point of view, things could not be better. The West Indies after beating Pakistan and Zimbabwe and virtually demolishing Ireland has made it to the second round unblemished. Other powerhouses in England, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia have also made it through with the Aussies showing wicked intent in the match against South Africa to score 379 off 50 overs and a resounding 83-run win.

While some teams have flourished, Pakistani and Indian fans have been soured greatly by the 2007 Cricket World Cup experience. Not only have their countrymen crashed out in the first round, but they have suffered most embarrassing defeats at the hands of less than full members of the cricket fraternity. Sadly, everybody will also know by now that Bob Woolmer - Pakistan's coach - was murdered in his hotel room after the shocking loss to Ireland.

Much of the forgoing makes for incredible entertainment, of course, significantly tempered by the most unfortunate drama surrounding the death of the Pakistani coach. However, there is one other element of the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup that must be an extremely bothersome issue for the Cup organizers; but up to this point, there has not been anything barely over a whisper about it.

Let's now face it head on: Before the start of the games, there was much talk about the potential tremendous financial spin-off from the tournament. There was much talk of hotel rooms, villas, and bed and breakfast accommodations being inundated with tourists from the 16 competing nations and other adoring cricket fans from all over the world. In order to deal with the massive overflow of guests that was expected, there was talk of a bold solution to utilize cruise ships as temporary housing facilities.

It all seemed too good to be true. The Caribbean would be bursting at the seams with visitors and the economic fillip would be huge. The preparation was on in earnest. First, millions of dollars were spent across the West Indies building and upgrading cricketing facilities at nine venues.

There was also significant spending to improve the infrastructure across the Caribbean. Airports were renovated and beautifully decorated and roads that had been ravaged by heavy rains and extensive use were repaved. Tour and transportation companies shored up their capacity and hotels and others in the hospitality industry readied themselves diligently.   

While the larger and much more established players made grand preparations, smaller players sought to stake their own claim. Enterprising businessmen (and women) made significant investments in craft and mementos and secured expensive stalls and rented spaces in organized "shopping villages", all in anticipation of the shopping bonanza that was to come. 

Everything, albeit the doubting Thomases and much last minute rush, was in place for the "greatest cricketing show on earth". However, now that the action on the field is about to come to a boil in the second round, my question is "where is the beef”?

I am visiting Jamaica and although the excitement at times has been at fever pitch, I am yet to see the flood of the visitors that was talked about so much. In fact, apart from actual match days in Jamaica, on rest days, it is hard to believe that the “greatest show on earth” is happening in our backyard. A visit to the hotels, bars and tourist centers, bears out the reality of the disappointing guest arrivals.

Here are some of the reasons offered for the less than impressive visitor turnout:

• The Caricom Visa requirement for some visitors and the associated prohibitive cost;
• The logistics and attendant high cost of traveling to the Caribbean, hotel accommodation and hopping from one island to the next to watch key games;
• Fans from many of the competing nations such as Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Canada, and Sri Lanka are simply not traveling supporters;
• Support from the neighboring US would have been muted because of the economic downturn being experienced;
• The small population of the West Indies and the fact that West Indian fans have never cultivated a culture of traveling from one island to the next to support the home town boys; and even in this instance, if they wanted to, probably would not have lacked the resources;
• Poor marketing of the competition overseas, with much being taken for granted that the cricketing spectacle would sell itself.

So disappointing has the turnout been that makeshift shopping has been abandoned and planned entertainment events scaled back or cancelled all together. To add to the concerns of the organisers of the Cup, India and Pakistan (with way too much drama) have made early exits from the competition. Everyone will know, especially in the case of India, what this means for the television audience, spectator support and ultimately, the bottom line.

I have no doubt that the ICC Cricket World Cup will bring more excitement and that the prayers of the West Indian fans may even be answered with hometown victory; but the organisers will already be having sleepless nights. They will already be preoccupied with the long-term, negative impact of Bob Woolmer's death especially with talk of match-fixing; but they will also know that financially, the 2007 ICC World Cup will likely fall way short of the great economic boom that would have been burnt into the minds of many in the weeks and months leading up to cricket's “greatest show on earth”.