THE EDITOR, Sir:
TARGETING YOUNG tourists to your precious island during Spring Break will be detrimental to the overall tourism economy in the long run. I am a Bajan living here. I work in the hotel industry and I have travelled to many resort countries where the business houses are crying out against the damage that such groups cause.
In the\short-term they are noisy and cause physical damage to property: they do not spend large sums of money on dining, car rental, tours or duty-free items. They are not interested in visiting museums and historical sites. This particular market is interested in partying and drinking. So bars will make lots of money but that does not put a dent in the economy. They do not order room service; they do not go to spas; they do not gamble; they do not shop with local designers.
Traditional Spring Break locales in Florida and Cancun are moving away from this market. Yet they are greeted here at the airport with welcome baskets. Do not fall into the trap of making quick money instead concentrate on establishing and maintaining the Jamaican brand as a gem, not a party central where anything goes.
I am etc.,
K. KNIGHT
Kingston
Via Go-Jamaica
