Editorial | Don't let Falmouth's fortunes sink again

Just when the tide was threatening to pull the quaint town of Falmouth under, it was handed a lifeline by recent hurricanes that damaged cruise ship destinations in the Caribbean and Key West, Florida. Instead of a port ban by some cruise lines, Falmouth is now poised to welcome more than 60 vessels taking advantage of an industry that has seen phenomenal growth in recent years.

Figures for 2016 indicated that the Caribbean accounted for more than 33 per cent of the global growth in the cruise ship business. Fortune has now smiled on Jamaica, and the real test is about to begin. Can the people who manage the tourism industry put in place mechanisms to reduce the harassment of visitors on the streets, on beaches and in the marketplace generally? Enhancement to security and new vending arrangements have been announced by Falmouth, the newest of three Jamaican regular ports of call, the others being Ocho Rios and Montego Bay.

We are not taking a pessimistic approach in suggesting reduction, instead of elimination of the problem. However, we are well aware that harassment is the symptom of a deeper problem. Too many people in Jamaica have been left on the margins of society, and in order to survive, they are aggressively seeking their share of what is touted as the most lucrative industry.

Aggression a problem

All the available evidence suggests that vendor persistence/aggression is the number-one problem plaguing the tourism industry. The evidence will also show that the people at the margin are those found to be harassing visitors.

We hereby submit that the problem cannot be resolved by parties sitting in an air-conditioned office somewhere in Falmouth or Miami. Ways and means have to be found to integrate those at the margin.

The solution must necessarily include inputs from all stakeholders tour operators, vendors, hotels and other tourism-service providers.

The solution must include constant innovation to overcome the thing that threatens the life of the tourist industry.

If the usual knee-jerk reactions are employed, we can expect to be commenting on this menace of harassment at a future date.

Not too long ago, municipal and tourist interests were wringing their hands in anguish when it was announced that harassment would force some of the more formidable cruise lines to scrub Falmouth from their list of port calls.

But the announcement should not have come as a surprise. There was escalating concern about harassment, and there were unconfirmed reports that a significant number of passengers were electing to remain on board the vessels to avoid harassment. By then, the time for strong action had passed.

Another reason Falmouth was losing its lustre was the absence of a variety of attractions. Experience teaches that while sun and sea are natural magnets, the overall infrastructure has to be attractive to satisfy guests' appetite for new adventure. Just in time to answer the critics, Chukka Good Hope Adventure Park has opened to rave reviews. With the president of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Shipping Association, Michelle Paige, among those endorsing the new attraction, this has placed local tourism interests in a chipper mood.