THE EDITOR, Sir:IN FRIDAY'S paper I see where Minister Aloun Assamba is
saying that now we will have to pay an additional US$10 as of May 1, 2005 to come to Jamaica.
HELLO?! What exactly is in it for us 'tourists'?
I left Jamaica in 1981 and now reside in South Florida and look forward to going home to see family and friends and to enjoy Jamaica.
Of late, however, Jamaica is not the same and the courtesy given at the airport and some business places is lacking. Allow me to paint you a picture please.
The airfare is very high to begin with, then you have long delays, unexplained wasting of valuable time.
Reach Jamaica, long Immigration lines. Reach Customs and you are charged heavily to bring clothes and basic items for your children. These items are considered as 'gifts' so you end up (taxed paying duty) spending most if not all of your 'vacation money' right there. Smile but true.
You are either "held up" on the streets or in your home so you are always watching over your
shoulder. You go shopping in the stores/supermarkets and get a lesson on the high cost of living in Jamaica. I was almost car-jacked on one of my visits, but thanks to a JDF/police patrol on Red Hills Road, I was saved.
The government is responsible for the safety of their citizens and their visitors.
They have the power and the money to improve things. There are so many other places we can go. Jamaica needs us more than we need Jamaica and the minister needs to realise that and try and make Jamaica more 'visitor friendly'.
This new US$10 fee, what exactly is in it for us 'visitors'? The minister says she is not taxing the hotels or citizens who came up with this bright idea just one more reason to stay away.
Does the prime minister and his ministers really know what they are doing to Jamaica and its citizens. All I have to say is that Jamaica is 'blessed and God is watching over it' and I will keep praying for all of us.
I am, etc.,
C. CAMPBELL
gevonni@bellsouth.net
Florida, USA
Via Go-Jamaica
