As winter tourist season approaches ...Craft vendors get cold shoulder
Published:Monday | December 13, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Laura Redpath, Senior Gleaner Writer
Walking into the Ocho Rios Craft Market in St Ann is like stepping back in time.
A fridge stands filled with 2007 Cricket World Cup novelty beer bottles, quite unlike the typical Red Stripe stubbies, and vendors lament the days when tourists visited in droves.
While the winter tourist season, due in two days, may exist for the country's hospitality sector, the idea is considered a myth by many craft vendors.
"The what season?" asked Roy Campbell, an artisan for 28 years, who was deep in his work of sanding down bracelets and bangles to be sold.
"I'm always prepared for business, but we're not getting any right now," said Campbell, the tips of his fingers white with the dust from his work. "We're not seeing tourists from the cruise ships. I figured that bus drivers take them to (other nearby shopping centres). Two or three cruise ships could be out there, and over here will be empty."
He only glanced away from his work to ask about the 'what season', focused on creating items that he said he may not sell for some time yet.
"Time will all pass for three days and no sales," he said.
With monthly rent for the stalls costing each vendor more than $1,000, and sales largely stagnant, Campbell said he would like to see the number of daily visitors climb.
A woman who identified herself as Auntie P said she agreed, but was grateful for the leniency in the collection of rent.
"Sometimes, as vendors, we owe rent, but we try nuh make it go over three months. (Management) is understanding, so no one gets kicked out. They give us time."
Stall operators are not the only individuals experiencing the pinch, as Stephan Brown explained.
He has eight years' experience in the craft industry, painting wooden art. He sat on a low wall inside the market, using green acrylic to paint a leaf on a piece of craft.
Brown told The Gleaner he learned the trade right there in Ocho Rios and the painting of numerous craft pieces is outsourced to him by other vendors and craftsmen.
The material that goes into completing a three-foot giraffe, according to Brown, can cost up to $3,000 for the sandpaper, paint and lacquer.
"The visitors need to know we're here. We nah ask for much," he said. "Most of the time, visitors complain they're here to see locals and we don't see them.
"Maybe just because we are poor and so other establishments get them," he said, waving his paintbrush.
Renford Henry, adviser for the Ocho Rios Craft Market, added that the physical appearance of the market was not attractive enough for visitors.
"We're always prepared, but nobody is coming. The conditions are not up to standard to entice visitors," he said.