Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
THE JAMAICA Hotel and Tourism Association (JHTA) and the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) say they are aware of the devastating impact that HIV/AIDS can have on the sector. In an industry that earned US$1,325 million dollars for the nation's coffers in 2003, the organisations say to do otherwise would be foolhardy.
In 2002, the Ministry of Industry and Tourism signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Health and four other ministries to work together to alleviate the scourge of HIV/AIDS on the country. To date, the TPDCo has not only developed a draft policy on HIV/AIDS, but it has also been involved in HIV sensitisation programmes.
"I am not 100 per cent sure there is a direct correlation (between HIV/AIDS and tourism)," said Horace Peterkin, JHTA vice-president and manager of Sandals, Montego Bay. "However, we have a problem and it's a very serious problem particularly in the St. James area."
Meanwhile Raymond Price, a board member of TPDCo, believes as the study done by Dr. Ian Boxill and his team found that there is a direct correlation between the spread of HIV/AIDS and the growth of tourism based on his research.
"When you look at a map of HIV/AIDS and a map of Jamaica, there is a correlation around the resort towns," he pointed out.
According to Peterkin, the JHTA has asked hotels for voluntary compliance implementing the policy and said that at some point it would become mandatory.
The aim of the HIV/AIDS policy guidelines is to assist hoteliers, stakeholders and employees in the tourism industry to:
Prevent the transmission of HIV.
Manage and mitigate of the impact of HIV/AIDS in the worksites within the tourism industry.
Provide treatment, care and support of workers within the industry infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Eliminate stigma and discrimination towards any worker known or perceived to have HIV or AIDS.
Last year, 22,000 Jamaicans were estimated to be living with HIV. The rate of HIV infection showed a marginal increase of 8.2 per cent in 2003 according to statistics from the Minister of Health.
Dr. Boxill in his research on Tourism and HIV/AIDS in Jamaica and the Bahamas, made the link between the spread of HIV/AIDS and the growth of tourism.
The research paper recommended that policy makers need to engage more honestly and openly about the character of the industry.
As regards staff-visitor liaisons, Mr. Peterkin says he is not aware of such activities.
"I know that at most hotels there is a sexual harassment policy and staffers would be terminated for any kind of sexual action, whether touching or comments," he said.
The Ministry of Health also commended the industry for the work it has done in HIV/AIDS prevention.
Dr. Peter Figueroa, chief of AIDS and Epidemiology at the Ministry of Health said, "The hotels need to ensure ready access to condoms and where feasible within the rooms, but certainly on the premises."
He explained that some territories do have programmes in place that promote safer sex.
