THE EDITOR, Sir:I AM very concerned about the way that we are treating our craft vendors and I feel that something must be done about correcting this grave situation regarding visits to the markets by cruise ship passengers.
Jamaica is a prime destination for cruise ships and we need to capitalise on this instead of pretending that we are begging for visits. We have world class attractions, friendly people and most of all, our culture is No. 1 in the world. These are the necessary ingredients that have made Jamaica the tourist destination. Therefore, it is important that the Government ensures that when arrangements are being made by interested cruise lines to use our ports of call, it should be conditional that one or two craft market visits are incorporated in this arrangement.
We go a step further to ensure the success of this arrangement whereby the relevant agencies should then be mandated to take the necessary steps for the education and preparation of the craft vendors for service, e.g. ensure that there is variety, customer service, etc. We simply cannot dismiss the craft vendors as being troublesome, miserable and unruly. In the '70s and '80s these were the same people who were pillars of the industry and used this same trade to produce, for Jamaica, technocrats, lawyers, doctors and other professionals. The artisans from deep rural Jamaica who did not interface with the tourist also benefited. They have needs and must be facilitated to earn a livelihood.
Please, let us not turn a blind eye to this situation. We need to correct this situation now and stop pretending that if we ignore this problem, it will just go away.
I am, etc.,
ROBERT HENDRICKS
niurkacuba@hotmail.com
c/o Tropical Tours Ltd.
Gloucester Avenue, Montego Bay
Via Go-Jamaica
