Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer 
State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture, Dr. Wykeham McNeill (second left), listens keenly to Cynthia Archer (right), treasurer of the Harbour Street Craft and Cultural Village, during a face-to-face meeting with members of the executive committee in Montego Bay, St. James, on Wednesday, while Sylvia Mills-Thorpe (left), welfare officer of the committee, and Sandra Bellinfantie, product quality officer at the Tourism Product Development Company, look on. - Noel Thompson/Freelance Photographer
WESTERN BUREAU:
TRADERS AT the Harbour Street Craft and Cultural Village in Montego Bay are much happier now that they have been allowed to trade their merchandise at the cruise ship terminal once per month.
Members of the executive committee were in high spirits this week, as they expressed their thankfulness to State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture, Dr. Wykeham McNeill, during a one-on-one meeting at the craft village.
Representatives of the Tourism Development Company (TPDCo) were also part of the meeting.
"They are now giving us an opportunity to visit the Montego Bay Port (the cruise shipping terminal) once monthly to sell our merchandise on a rotation basis. Ten vendors are allowed on each occasion," said Melody Haughton, president of the Harbour Street Craft and Cultural Village Association.
"Even though it is once per month, it has so far been a great opportunity. We prize it as a rich experience. Business had been so bad for quite a long time, but with this new thrust we are very grateful," Ms. Haughton stated.
The initiative to allow the vendors to ply their trade at the port started a month ago, subsequent to the world's largest cruise vessel's (Freedom of the Seas) inaugural call at the port in June.
Ms. Haughton said the association was in dialogue with the Port Authority to reach an agreement for the vendors to sell at the port at least twice monthly, as this would give more craft traders the opportunity to tap into the market.
"Based on the 250 traders at the market, it means that everybody would not get a chance to visit the port over a 12-month period if we are allowed once per month," she added.
Meanwhile, Minister McNeill lauded the vendors when they reassured him that they would no longer be engaging in demon-strating on the streets.
"With the kind of response that we are getting from the ministry and the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce, it is not necessary. They are working with us," Miss Haughton said.
Vivian McFarlane, acting manager of the craft village, said he was impressed with the level of cooperation he was receiving, particularly from the executive.
"I am prepared to move the facility to a higher level. They are willing to work and are very hard at it," he said.
