Diamonds in the Rough

-Trishagaye Kelly

Crime and violence are no strangers to the little islands of the Caribbean and the crime rate continues to increase. But even in all this, the Caribbean remains the place where people come to relax and spend their vacation away from home; a treasured spot to unwind and enjoy the sun and sandy beaches.

In late February/early March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Jamaica, many businesses shut down for good, some closed temporarily, and others were unsure of what to do. The tourism industry suffered a great loss and was forced to find a comeback for the upcoming years. According to the Tourism COVID-19 Business Impact and Recovery Survey done in March 2021, which surveyed 255 businesses, the industry reported a 74% loss in revenue in 2020 and 14% of the Caribbean’s tourism-related businesses are highly likely or likely to permanently close as a result of the pandemic.

Amidst this unfortunate event, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, at a press release in March 2023, applauded the work of the industry during COVID, as well as its future plans.

“Right now on the cards, 20,000 new hotel rooms are to be built in Jamaica over the next five to ten years,” he said.

Anthia Adderley, a native Bahamian is happy that their current government is also doing well at trying to accommodate and assist everyone, despite the great impact COVID-19 had on them.

“Tourism is our number one industry, and for us to have gotten no flights nor boats into and out of the country for years, it was a drastic setback. We were in shambles and are still trying to pick up the pieces,” she said.

Her belief is supported by Anguilla citizen and current student in Jamaica, Damanie Campbell, who said his country suffered despite not being impacted as early as everyone else.

“When COVID was first announced, Anguilla didn’t have any cases, and that lasted for about a year because the island had just closed down and as a result, our government had to borrow money to sustain us,” he added.

Minister Bartlett believes the industry is doing well, and will continue in the future.

“Our Government has demonstrated consistency in focus and resolve in containing the pandemic and with excellent results.  We do not intend to undo this good work; COVID-19 or no COVID-19 the work goes on,” he said.

Campbell advises that for improvement, his government must become more receptive to new ideas.

“The country can be improved if the older folks that are stuck in the past and their old ways, would simply make room for growth and development,” he said.

Like Anguilla, there is room for improvement within the rest of the region’s tourism industry. Adderley believes that her native country is currently excelling in tourism and is making a great impact within the region.

“From what I know, tourism back home is on the rise. Individuals are beginning to become attracted to the Bahamas again. Taxi drivers, bus drivers, aircraft personnel, hotel, and restaurant workers are all beginning to see the light in the midst of the gloom that COVID-19 brought forth,” she said.

COVID wasn’t the only factor in the Caribbean's decrease in tourism. Crime plays a huge role in dissuading tourists from traveling to the Caribbean islands. Minister Bartlett mentioned his desire for the safety of tourism in Jamaica.

“We don’t want anyone anywhere in the world to second guess the integrity of the promise that when you come to Jamaica you will have a safe, secure, seamless vacation,” he concluded.

In the Bahamas, criminal acts have gotten to the point of tourists visiting the islands and experiencing deathly tragedies. These factors however are not so strong as to deter tourists from continuing to visit the beautiful Caribbean islands.

In an attempt to grow and develop the industry while advertising the island’s offers to the world, Jamaica has made major connections to international entities. Adderley believes this is something that the Bahamas should look into for more growth within the industry.

“Not just advertising the typical attractions such as Atlantis, but advertising the native life. Inclusion of the “smaller man” would be beneficial and greatly appreciated by the locals too,” she said.

Overall, the Caribbean’s tourism industry, especially in Jamaica, is steadily moving upwards once more. Minister Bartlett is confident that the growth will continue despite the challenges the industry continues to face.