Double standards in resort sector?
published: Tuesday | December 2, 2003

THE EDITOR, Sir:

HAVING JUST returned from a week's vacation on the North Coast, I am still appalled at the manner in which visitors with dark skins are treated as opposed to our Caucasian guests. In multiple instances, (Island Village, Ocho Rios, Dunn's River Falls, the Water Sports park in Montego Bay), dark-skinned guests in my party were subjected to derisive remarks and special questioning.

One example was the experience I had at the Island Village complex in Ocho Rios. When I inquired why I was not given a free drink coupon, the young lady handing them out responded: 'We are only giving out drink coupons for visitors from the cruise ships'. I am still not sure how she came to the conclusion that I did not arrive on the cruise ship but I observed that she had no such comments for the fair-skinned guests. After pointing this out to her, she did apologise and gave us drink coupons for use at Margaritaville.

Until the Jamaica Tourist Board addresses this vexing double standard which pervades every aspect of the tourism product from the moment you enter the Immigration and Customs Hall until the moment you embark, this wonderful tourism product will not achieve its full potential.

I am, etc.,

JACINTH ROSE

esorja@aol.com

Cooper City, Florida

Via Go-Jamaica