Dear Editor,
Two weeks ago I visited Devon House with some friends. Over the years, I have visited the property and bought ice cream and snacks and had my children pay to use the play area. On this trip, however, when I exited the car and headed for the food court area, a security guard told me I could not carry my camera. I asked when this became a rule and he said to ask at the desk.
I went to the desk and asked about carrying a camera in, as I had done over the years and up to two weeks before. Asked to show the kind of camera I had, I was then told I couldn't shoot pictures there with that type of camera -- a professional Nikon -- unless I paid a fee. I was also informed that if it was a smaller camera I could shoot with it, but that I could take pictures of my friends. However, the security guards said no.
After eating ice cream and relaxing for a little while I realised that people were coming in who were obviously not locals with video cameras and video-taping what they wanted as the guards watched. They also had their professional cameras and were taking pictures. When I inquired about it the security said that "maybe" they paid to do it ; apparently he had not sought confirmation.
After eating ice cream and relaxing for a little while I realised that people were coming in who were obviously not locals with video cameras and video-taping what they wanted as the guards watched. They also had their professional cameras and were taking pictures. When I inquired about it the security said that "maybe" they paid to do it ; apparently he had not sought confirmation.
This is not the first time that I have had this problem with properties owned or managed by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo). The same thing happened in Ocho Rios at the public beach after I paid to go in with some friends. I was told I would have to pay to take pictures on the beach with the type of camera that I had. There was no sign saying this, just as there was none at Devon House. Yet, there were tourists walking all over the beach with similar cameras who did not have to pay. The same thing also happened at Port Royal.
What I would like to know is this: Are we not allowed because this is our country? Why are there no signs saying this? What harm would this cause? To me, it would help to make people more aware of the areas and want to come. This makes no sense, as a lot of the small cameras shoot just as well as the big professional ones. I travel the world and take pictures of historical sites that make ours pale in comparison and have never been told that I cannot carry my camera and take pictures.
Whoever is in charge of TPDCo needs to think about what they are doing and why they are showing preferential treatment to other nations while neglecting our people. This is our country and we should be able to take pictures and share with people worldwide, which in turn will bring more tourists.
Alessandro Ferrari
originaliru@gmail.com
Locals must have same access to our tourism product
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Two weeks ago I visited Devon House with some friends. Over the years, I have visited the property and bought ice cream and snacks and had my children pay to use the play area. On this trip, however, when I exited the car and headed for the food court area, a security guard told me I could not carry my camera. I asked when this became a rule and he said to ask at the desk.
I went to the desk and asked about carrying a camera in, as I had done over the years and up to two weeks before. Asked to show the kind of camera I had, I was then told I couldn't shoot pictures there with that type of camera -- a professional Nikon -- unless I paid a fee. I was also informed that if it was a smaller camera I could shoot with it, but that I could take pictures of my friends. However, the security guards said no.
After eating ice cream and relaxing for a little while I realised that people were coming in who were obviously not locals with video cameras and video-taping what they wanted as the guards watched. They also had their professional cameras and were taking pictures. When I inquired about it the security said that "maybe" they paid to do it ; apparently he had not sought confirmation.
After eating ice cream and relaxing for a little while I realised that people were coming in who were obviously not locals with video cameras and video-taping what they wanted as the guards watched. They also had their professional cameras and were taking pictures. When I inquired about it the security said that "maybe" they paid to do it ; apparently he had not sought confirmation.
This is not the first time that I have had this problem with properties owned or managed by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo). The same thing happened in Ocho Rios at the public beach after I paid to go in with some friends. I was told I would have to pay to take pictures on the beach with the type of camera that I had. There was no sign saying this, just as there was none at Devon House. Yet, there were tourists walking all over the beach with similar cameras who did not have to pay. The same thing also happened at Port Royal.
What I would like to know is this: Are we not allowed because this is our country? Why are there no signs saying this? What harm would this cause? To me, it would help to make people more aware of the areas and want to come. This makes no sense, as a lot of the small cameras shoot just as well as the big professional ones. I travel the world and take pictures of historical sites that make ours pale in comparison and have never been told that I cannot carry my camera and take pictures.
Whoever is in charge of TPDCo needs to think about what they are doing and why they are showing preferential treatment to other nations while neglecting our people. This is our country and we should be able to take pictures and share with people worldwide, which in turn will bring more tourists.
Alessandro Ferrari
originaliru@gmail.com
Locals must have same access to our tourism product
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