The impact of Hurricane Melissa struck a heavy blow to Jamaica’s winter tourists arrivals.

Tourism is a major driver of the economy and a leading earner of foreign exchange. In 2024, Jamaica’s tourism sector brought in US$4.3 billion and welcomed 4.3 million visitors.

Many hotels are working assiduously to get their operations back online. Some are looking to more robust arrivals for the summer season, giving them time to recover.

It is therefore disturbing to hear of reports of rising cases of sexual harassment of female tourists on Negril’s beaches.

The police have video images of local men propositioning female tourists in a lewd manner. 

Despite being rebuffed, these men persist, making it uncomfortable for female visitors to Negril, known for its rustic charm.

Hoteliers don’t want a situation which sees police patrolling beaches looking to put a stop to sexual harassment. That would be unsettling for the guests. Hotel managers will therefore have to be more vigilant.

Vendors on Negril’s beaches say these pests are affecting their business, although many do not have a licence and should not be selling goods to tourists.

Richard Wallace, operator of the Boardwalk Village and  Chairman of the Negril Tourism Destination Council, says there are some men who do plague the guests and that makes them wary of locals. He says a big attraction of Jamaica is the visitor’s ability to mingle with Jamaicans and catch the vibe.

Some hotel operators are calling for more cameras to be placed in Negril as a security measure to protect the tourism business. They say many of the existing cameras around the town do not work.

With more cameras around Negril, criminals and those harassing tourists will be more cautious and the all-seeing eyes will act as a deterrent.