By Garwin Davis, Assistant News Editor
Forstmayr
LOCAL OFFICIALS are worried that the island's struggling tourism sector could be dealt another severe blow, following reports that a Jamaican juvenile has been implicated in the sniper case in the United States.
Speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, Josef Forstmayr, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, said he was overly concerned by what was being reported on the international airwaves, noting that the mere mention of Jamaica in the sniper killings could adversely affect the country's tourism fortunes.
"Each time our name is projected in a negative way, it hurts us," he said. "Our image... what we stand for as a nation... it all takes a battering. Earlier in the day it was being reported that both suspects had Jamaican connections. We, however, learned later that the elder suspect was born in Louisana... regardless though, there is still a Jamaican link and whenever this is so, the result is always lethal."
United States police, following an intense manhunt, arrested two men, identified as John Allen Muhammad, 41, and Lee Malvo, 17, yesterday. Malvo is said to be a citizen of Jamaica.
"There is nothing much we can do except to take a pro-active approach," Mr. Forstmayr added. "The Jamaica Tourist Board and its public relations firm Peter Martin and Associates, are working behind the scenes to counter whatever negative press we have been getting. It is also our hope that people will look at this as an isolated incident and one that should not reflect negatively on the country. Most people should be able to see that the actions of one should not be used to judge an entire nation."
Mr. Forstmayr said, the JHTA and other tourism organisations were almost at their wits end last year when alleged shoe bomber Richard Reid, the man who allegedly tried to ignite a bomb on board a Miami bound aircraft, was being described as a Jamaican.
"Whenever violence is associated with Jamaica, it's bad for our tourism product," said Sanju Chatani, owner of the Taj Mahal Plaza, Ocho Rios. "This is indeed very sad considering that as a nation we have so much to offer. The record will also show that despite our problems, our tourist areas have never been under any threat or attack and our visitors do have a good time when they come here."
