THE GUN battle between the police and criminal elements in the Canterbury district of Montego Bay last week has had no discernible impact on tourism, said Godfrey Dyer, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association.
"My information is that it was not reported in foreign media," Mr. Dyer said. "There is nothing for us to react to."
In a stand-off lasting eight hours, three gunmen were killed and three policemen shot and injured in the inner-city community of Canterbury last Wednesday. Initial reports said commercial activity in the nearby tourism heart of Montego Bay was unaffected by the shooting.
POSITIVES
"I see some positives from the Canterbury incident," Mr. Dyer said. "The police are saying to criminals, don't bring your guns to Montego Bay. A strong message is being sent."
A recent World Bank report stated that a one per cent increase in crime cuts tourist flows to the Caribbean by one half to three quarters of a per cent.
"If what they are saying is correct, we should use that as a target to increase tourism," Mr. Dyer said. "We should see how much we can reduce crime."
RECORD TOURIST ARRIVALS
The island is now showing record tourist arrivals levels, with Jamaica Tourist Board chairman Dennis Morrison announcing increasing airlift capacity to the island and new print and electronic advertising.
But the industry had been substantially hobbled by a slump starting in 2001 during a wave of civil disorder, starting well before the September 11 terror attacks in the United States.
"We are taking a zero-tolerance approach to gangs," crime chief for the parish, Derrick Knight, told The Gleaner in an interview just prior to the Canterbury incident. The St. James police said they have dismantled six of the eight gangs operating in the parish. I commend the police and hope they will maintain that level of intensity," Mr. Dyer said. "I know it will increase tourism if we reduce crime."
