Crime turning away tourists
published: Wednesday | April 7, 2004

THE EDITOR, Sir:

AS AN Englishman with Jamaican parents, I am writing to say how upsetting it was to see the huge number of English fans in Barbados compared to the number of fans who attended the Jamaica Test. Having discussed this with people back in London, we all came to the same conclusion when trying to answer the question why Barbados over Jamaica. The answer was crime and safety.

Most people (I fear correctly) assume that they are going to have a safer, more enjoyable time in Barbados than in the crime-ridden Jamaica. Even when I was offered the opportunity to come out for the Test (one I had to turn down for work commitments) I plumped for Barbados over Jamaica.

This is the simple, plain hard truth that Jamaica has to face up to and do something about, otherwise it will continue to lose large numbers of tourists, who opt for other islands over what should be the number one island.

I am, etc.,

PAUL McKENZIE

paul.hackney@virgin.net

22 Hanbury St, London

Tower Hamlets E1 6QR

England

Via Go-Jamaica