The Editor, Sir:

Please allow me to make some comments on the Spanish Hotels 'invasion'. First, during the construction of each of the two Riu hotels in Negril, many environmental restrictions were blatantly breached, impacting negatively on our environment.

Since then, hundreds of visitors to Negril have decried the 'concrete defacing' of Negril by these new hotels, pointing out that our home-grown hotels are pleasantly blending with nature from the road and the sea. Adding that the sheer size of such hotels becomes an eyesore in this beautiful island and should have remained on the Costa del Sol or Marbella, not here!

It appears that the Fiesta building on the outskirts of Lucea is already defacing our coastline as well as its environs by the dumping of extracted soil all over by the roadside. Another eyesore in the making! And, where will their sewage go with the expected 2,000 plus rooms?

Yes, there will be work, both during construction and for line staff afterwards, but virtually none, even in lower management for Jamaicans! While home-grown all-inclusive and small hotels are proud of our Jamaican staff reflecting the beauty of our island. Our supposed-to-be monopolies such as Sandals, SuperClubs, Couples, etc., have all spent time and money to train our bright young Jamaicans with great success.

Basically, the concept of these Spanish hotels is 'rock bottom cheapness' so you may have the room occupancy count, but what is their financial contribution in terms of GCT, PAYE, taxes, etc., to the Jamaican coffers? Has their overwhelming presence in the Dominican Republic really helped the economy and the social environment there?

The Spanish hotels privileged tax incentive, together with their sheer size, ensure that no one can compete with them. The majority of small hotels in Negril and other resort areas have difficulties in making enough money to keep their property at the ideal standard.

Undoubtedly, Jamaica's infrastructure is not ready to cope with such mega resorts. Who will pay the price for not enough water or electricity or any other services?

Investments

We are running before we can walk! But the price to the environment and to our tourist industry will be felt for a very long time! What a shame!

Needless to say, investments in tourism are welcomed when they take into account our environment, the aesthetic of scale for our small beautiful island, proper employment and development of local persons. Why is it that only huge Spanish hotels are invading Jamaica?

No American, British, French or Dutch hotel, etc., has been tempted to invest here! Is there a secret that we do not know about the Spanish investors? Is it wise to let 50 per cent of our room inventory in the hands of one foreign country? Is it wise to add more and more cheap all-inclusive hotels?

I am, etc.,

SYLVIE GRIZZLE

Owner, Charela Inn, Negril