WESTERN BUREAU:

Facing stiff competition from a vibrant Mexico, while having to slash prices to fill their rooms, the island's hoteliers are condemning any move by the People's National Party (PNP) to stage further demonstrations during the fragile winter tourist season.

"Our history with this type of activity has invariably resulted in chaos and infrastructural damage to the country. Additionally, the PR nightmare that surrounds these protests are played out both locally and internationally, having a debilitating effect on the efforts of the country to sell itself as a safe haven for both Jamaicans and visitors," said President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Wayne Cummings.

Security precautions

The JHTA head's objection came on the heels of a warning by the United States Embassy alerting its citizens to take security precautions in relation to a march protesting tax increases by the People's National Party Youth Organisation yesterday.

According to the JHTA area chair for the Montego Bay chapter, Richard Bourke, had there been any incidents during yesterday's march, further and more serious warning would come from the embassy.

Cummings, in a release to the media on Monday, said his association very strongly disagreed with the call by the leadership of the PNP for demonstrations, reminding the opposition party of the already precarious state of the country's economy.

However, the hospitality organisation was not about to let the Government off lightly, and in the same breath, reiterated its dissatisfaction with the tax package presented by Minister of Finance Audley Shaw last Thursday.

"We also call on the prime minister and the Government to constructively engage the Opposition and all other pertinent groups in arriving at a formula that is sensible to fill the gaping fiscal gaps, while recognising that it is people's lives and survival that have to be contemplated," said Cummings.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com