The Editor, Sir:

It is rather unfortunate that Jamaica along with other Carib-bean countries wherein Cricket World Cup 2007 will be staged, has seen it fit to impose the CARICOM visa restrictions from February 1, to May 15, 2007.

The excuse for imposing this new fee is said to be for security reasons. Let's be realistic - if a so-called terrorist wishes to come to the region whether we have visa restrictions or not they will find a way of getting here. Looking at this new restriction the region will make extra cash $100 per person for anyone over the age of 12 years old. However, the greater impact is the untold damage that this additional fee and the inconvenience that this is causing our passengers at the airport, especially those whom have booked their vacation to the island and have absolutely no interest in Cricket World Cup.

The head of the JHTA and many others have warned that this will negatively impact on our Tourism Industry yet those in authority seem not to take heed. Horace Peterkin and others like myself have sounded the warning but no one takes notice. We seem to look only at the immediate short term gain and not the long term effect. It is about time we have decision makers in this industry that can look beyond their noses.

I am, etc.,

NEVILLE St J. MALCOLM

Destination Manager

Apple Vacations

Montego Bay