Dear Editor,
According to a Jamaica Observer news story, Caribbean tourism is up – with more tourists travelling out of the United Kingdom, and Jamaica seeing a 62 per cent increase in arrivals from that region over the past year, attributed mainly to Jamaica Tourist Board’s promotion using Usain Bolt – as the UK economy improves.
This is all great news, and I’m sure if the study is tested globally, one will see a general increase in arrivals from all corners of the globe, and even the Diaspora who keep returning. They are attracted to Jamaica in greater numbers for its natural beauty, the vibe, the food, culture, and general appeal.
The only surprise here is that the increase isn’t greater. MoBay airport, which sees most of the tourist inflows, is always busy, has long lines, and flights after flights arriving and departing.
With this significant increase in tourism revenues and profit, it is too bad that the man in the street, and even those working in the tourist industry, aren’t benefiting directly. I have always been at a loss why workers in the industry aren’t paid better, considering most of the revenues comes from hard US currency. If they were paid better, even partly in US currency, they would ideally pump it right back into the economy to improve their quality of life — everyone benefits.
However, the impact of the increase in tourism revenues is hardly felt in the economy, as we see the dollar soaring to historic levels, currently J$120: US$1.
I know we have massive foreign debt which has to be serviced, but at some point one has to ask: ”Is it that much of the profit and US currency from tourism are leaving Jamaica that we aren’t seeing the fruits?”
P Chin
chin_p@yahoo.com
According to a Jamaica Observer news story, Caribbean tourism is up – with more tourists travelling out of the United Kingdom, and Jamaica seeing a 62 per cent increase in arrivals from that region over the past year, attributed mainly to Jamaica Tourist Board’s promotion using Usain Bolt – as the UK economy improves.
This is all great news, and I’m sure if the study is tested globally, one will see a general increase in arrivals from all corners of the globe, and even the Diaspora who keep returning. They are attracted to Jamaica in greater numbers for its natural beauty, the vibe, the food, culture, and general appeal.
The only surprise here is that the increase isn’t greater. MoBay airport, which sees most of the tourist inflows, is always busy, has long lines, and flights after flights arriving and departing.
With this significant increase in tourism revenues and profit, it is too bad that the man in the street, and even those working in the tourist industry, aren’t benefiting directly. I have always been at a loss why workers in the industry aren’t paid better, considering most of the revenues comes from hard US currency. If they were paid better, even partly in US currency, they would ideally pump it right back into the economy to improve their quality of life — everyone benefits.
However, the impact of the increase in tourism revenues is hardly felt in the economy, as we see the dollar soaring to historic levels, currently J$120: US$1.
I know we have massive foreign debt which has to be serviced, but at some point one has to ask: ”Is it that much of the profit and US currency from tourism are leaving Jamaica that we aren’t seeing the fruits?”
P Chin
chin_p@yahoo.com