Garwin Davis, Assistant News Editor
SAYING THERE was no place in the tourism industry for "neither racism nor racial overtones", members of the Duty-free Merchants Association feel they are being unfairly blamed for problems associated with the sector.
"As a result of our ethnic background as Indians... it's very easy and convenient to use us as scapegoats," said Sanju Chatani, owner of the Taj Mahal Plaza in Ocho Rios, St. Ann. "It's always a case where the Indians are to be blamed for this or the Indians are to be blamed for that. As a nation, we have to move from that sort of thinking. We don't need to be polarised... as our motto rightly states: out of many one people."
The merchants note that their contribution to tourism over the years has in many cases been overlooked, noting that there was a tendency from "certain quarters" to downplay [them] "as an important entity within the sector."
"I was watching this forum on television the other day regarding tourism and not one mention was made of the inbond sector," notes Indru Dadlani, owner of the Casa de Oro chain of duty free stores. "As someone who has been involved in the sector for many years, this was very painful to watch... its almost as if we have never been or a part of the sector, as if our contributions meant nothing."
Ravi Daswani, owner of the Royal Shop chain of duty-free stores a company which has not only been sponsoring a number of sporting events in western Jamaica but has also been providing school books for children of its employees explains the reason for the negative perception.
"Our reluctance to highlight our contributions to charities over the years... our unwillingness to blow or toot our own horns have led to this perception of us as greedmongers," Mr. Daswani said. "There is a part of our culture that says we should not go out and brag about things we do for charity. It should not matter that most of us are of Indian descent...we are citizens of this country... pay our taxes like everybody else and should enjoy the same rights. Racism and racial overtones only serve to divide."
PREMIER DESTINATION
Merchants, however, note that while it is only natural for them to feel slighted by the "tone of some of the criticisms...being referred to as Indians"...their continued role in ensuring that Jamaica remains a premier destination for duty-free shopping "is something that can never be refuted."
As Mr. Dadlani puts it, "Duty-free shopping is and has been a mainstay of Jamaica's tourism... this cannot be denied. Despite facing increasing competition from the other islands, association members have been holding their own, guaranteeing that Jamaica maintains its niche in the marketplace. Without fear of being contradicted I dare say that we provide some of, if not, the best duty-free shopping seen anywhere in the Caribbean.
Other tourism interests are in agreement. "My only problem with the inbond merchants is that they hardly interact outside of their community," explained Roderick Graham, taxi operator. "They, however, have done a lot of good for the resort towns and if the truth should be known, they should be lauded rather than being criticised," he added.
Mr. Graham continued, "We should give credit where credit is due. My family has benefited from their genorosity and I will not join in the Indian-bashing crowd."
Rose Thomas, resident of Ocho Rios, however sees it a different way.
"They need to socialise more, outside of their little cliques," she said. "From time to time you will see a few of them at functions but they are mostly mingle amongst themselves, that's the heart of the problem."
The duty-free shopping sector has grown significantly in recent years with gross sales exceeding over US$110 million since 1994. There has also been a net retention of about 30 per cent, up from US$60 million just three years ago.
"The inbond sector is growing and is becoming even more sophisticated," Mr. Daswani adds. Under intense lobbying from the inbond merchants, the government has been gradually liberalising the sub-sector, adding in recent times all types of leather goods, designer clothing and pens to the list of goods which can be sold in duty free shops.
Previously the list was confined to jewellery, watches, perfumes, table ware, electronics and liquor.
Merchants are pressing for more, noting that designer sunglasses which they point out are a 'big hit' internationally and a range of souvenir items would indeed make them more competitive.
Mr. Dadlani, however, believes that others outside of the Indian community need to get on board the duty-free train. "I personally would love to see people of different racial backgrounds getting involved... this would make the sector more diverse and perhaps better appreciated," he said. "It would also get rid of this notion about the sector being an Indian thing."
