Davies to meet hoteliers

HOTELIERS ARE to meet Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Omar Davies on Friday to discuss the possibility of financial support from the Government for the tourism industry, in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the United States.

Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) president Joseph Forstmayr said yesterday that the next six to eight weeks would be the most crucial of the period for the hoteliers. He said most would not be able to meet the cost of staff, purchases, renovations and utility bills, as well as meeting loan payments, without bridge financing from the Government.

Mr. Forstmayr said hotels did not have unlimited resources, there was virtually no income and keeping visitors at the properties over the past week while they waited flights home was "a great gesture", but a very costly one.

No figure was disclosed yesterday and Mr. Forstmayr repeatedly said the JHTA had not yet reached a consensus on its position and that a "clearer picture" of the problems was needed and was expected from a second meeting of JHTA members today.

He confirmed he met Dr. Davies yesterday and brought to his attention the situation in the industry, as exposed by members at Monday's emergency meeting. He said Dr. Davies had suggested the JHTA put together a clearer picture of the situation and meet with him again on Friday.

Mr. Forstmayr described the situation in the industry as "grief but not a disaster".

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