Shadow tourism spokesperson, Senator Janice Allen is appealing for support to be provided to craft traders, who are among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, mostly women heads of households and responsible for sending their children to school.

Allen, in a People’s National Party (PNP) statement, made the appeal in the context that, since the pandemic led to shut down of the nation in Marhc 2020 and brought tourism to a virtual standstill, the most vulnerable groups in the tourism industry have been disproportionately affected.

The Opposition tourism spokesperson claimed she has received reports from craft traders who are being threatened by municipal corporations and management companies with eviction notices because of overdue rent which has accumulated since the onset of the pandemic.

DON’T TREAT THE CRAFT SECTOR DIFFERENTLY

“If we are serious as a country about protecting the most vulnerable among us, we must ensure that there is equitable distribution of relief and opportunities. Larger companies in the industry have been able to
access grants to cushion the COVID-19 blow; the craft sector should be treated no different,” Allen said.

“Only one market has been given reprieve due in part to the advocacy
of former Minister of Tourism Dr Wykeham McNeill. That market is Negril Craft Market. If Negril can write off the rent for this struggling group, why can’t the other parish councils [municipal corporations] adopt
a similarly developmental approach?”

The senator’s appeal comes in support of the more than 2,500 craft traders who the PNP said are reportedly distressed, and have depleted their savings over the last several months but still face an uncertain future.

“The Minister [Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett] continues to celebrate artisan villages being built in Falmouth and other places but the same artisans expected to occupy these spaces as vendors may not survive to be able to take up the offer,” Allen said.

She added: “One mother who I spoke with said that after hearing from the Minister about the industry’s revival, she was hopeful that there was seemingly a light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, her optimism
was short lived as she was advised that she is likely to be evicted by the parish council if her rent remains unpaid.”

Allen is calling on the Government to immediately intervene as, she said, the livelihoods of some of Jamaica’s most at-risk are at stake.

“If the benefits of tourism are to be truly felt, every effort must be made to ensure that all its participants get a fighting chance. Give the craft traders a fighting chance!” she urged.