Craft vendors want access to tourists

Gareth Davis Snr, Gleaner Writer

PORT ANTONIO, Portland: CRAFT VENDORS at the Musgrave Market in Port Antonio are appealing to tourism officials to open a gateway adjacent to that facility to allow entrance to tourists, who will be better able to view their wares and artefacts.

The latest call comes against the background of a recent cruise-ship visit to the Resort Town which resulted in passengers experiencing difficulty in accessing the craft market as a result of impedance from hustlers, pimps, fake-drug sellers, and murky water along its entrance. The cruise vessel, which arrived on January 3, is the first one for Port Antonio since February 2010.

Changes needed

"Changes will have to be made," said Girvan Rhoofe, a craft vendor, better known as 'Rock Bottom'. "Persons were selling cerasee for ganja, pieces of chocolate for stone, and other fake drugs to passengers. The situation was further compounded by murky water along the entrance to the craft market which carries a stench."

According to 'Rock Bottom', the frequent harassment of tourists by pimps and persons of unsound mind is a deterrent to the tourism sector at the resort town, which is already in a fragile state, and is struggling to survive. There have been frequent reports of tourists being pressured for money, and persons had to intervene in some situations that threatened to turn ugly after witnessing the arm of some visitors being tugged and twisted for a mere cigarette.

Police presence

Meantime, the police have stepped up their operations in Port Antonio in an attempt to catch the perpetrators, who they believe are operating in a syndicate, and are being reliably informed about the police's presence, thus eluding capture.

The craft vendors' appeal is in the belief that if cruise ship passengers have a direct access point to the craft market, with the marine police station located along that corridor, the harassment could be minimal.

The Port Authority of Jamaica owns the West Harbour property through which cruise-ship passengers can better access the craft market.

Mayor of Port Antonio, Floyd Patterson, told The Gleaner this week that the Portland Parish Council is aware of the concerns raised by the craft vendors, and is already seeking to address the matter.

"I have spoken to the local manager (for the Port Authority) about that particular concern," said Patterson. "The idea is for him to liaison with his superiors regarding this request from the craft vendors and parish council. It is important to point out, however, that if such requests are approved, that the new entrance will only be opened during cruise-ship arrival, and proper security arrangements will be put in place to ensure the safety of cruise-ship passengers," the mayor added.