Crime affects tourism plan

Officials in May Pen, Clarendon believe the drugs for guns trade is threatening potential tourism earnings.



While speaking at a Gleaner Editors’ Forum over the weekend, executive director of the Clarendon Coastal management Foundation, Ingrid Parchment, said the trade was a potential threat to nature and heritage tourism.



She says several activities the organization was planning to start next summer could be adversely affected.



She explains that carrying out nature tourism activities in the area could be dangerous because of the illegal use of the mangroves by criminals.



Meanwhile, the Clarendon police chief, superintendent Dathan Henry, says corruption within the ranks is inhibiting efforts to dent the trade.



In addition he says the marine police and the Jamaica Defence Force do not have enough resources to monitor the coast.



Parchment says the crime situation will not deter the foundation from going ahead with its plans next summer.



It’s believed the nature and heritage tourism industry has the potential to earn millions of dollars for the country.