Rob. Thanks for the food for thought. It will stimulate debate. There is a very strong and undeniable arguement that the benefits of the ban far outweigh the downside. I will add myself to that arguement. Keep the ban in place. Jamiaca is a more disireable destination without noisy, polluting, reef destroying annoying Jet Skis.
I don't usually chime in- and I'll be the first to say I don't know the history of this but with the little info I have all I can say is "Wow". I find it amazing that we as a bunch of visitors could possibly have a dog in this fight. I can only imagine the reaction Americans would have if some tourists from another Country tried to regulate what we could do in our hometowns here in the US. I am sure I will get blasted and get a lecture on the environmental impact of Jetskis etc, but help me understand why I have any right to email anyone on this topic. There are a ton of individuals in this underemployed town that relied on the Jetski industry. Sorry I just don't get it.
I agree with you in theory but the reality is that Jamaica's economy is strongly based off of Tourism so that's why a bunch of visitors have a dog in this fight.Originally Posted by elcyd
According to IndexMundi.com, Jamaican tourism revenues accounted for roughly 5% of GDP in 2011.
Negril.com - For the vacation that never ends!
Last time I checked ALL tourist are from another country and last time I checked it is the Tourist who Pour money into the country and UM last time I checked it was Tourist who were the victims of the jet skis?
Actually the largest foreign direct inflows come from remittances that account for over 15% of GDP
Capt. Remittance
Linston's Zion Hill Taxi
Captain Dave
Fred,
From August of last year:
"Seven-year-old Tanoya Hyman of Christiana, Manchester, was killed in a jet ski accident in Ocho Rios, St Ann, over the weekend.
The Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), the police information arm, reported that about 3:00 pm on Saturday, Hyman was playing in the sand at the Ocho Rios Bay Beach with two of her family members when tragedy struck.
Police report that a jet ski, which was being driven by a male tourist, allegedly lost control and collided with the child, killing her on the spot."
Because a young Jamaican girl was killed by a tourist, this issue was already being discussed and regulations suggested after the August incident - this is from October of last year:
"The Government is taking action to regulate jet ski operations, which should result in a reduction of jet skiing accidents at marine recreational areas and a clamp- down on illegal commercial operators.
Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Dr Wykeham McNeill announced in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, October 15, that Cabinet had approved a six-month suspension on the importation of all jet skis for commercial use.
Additionally, the ministry has consulted with the marine police and the Jamaica Defence Force Coastguard, which will conduct enforcement activities to seize and detain the illegal vessels.
McNeill added that there will be strengthening of regulations for the safe use of jet skis in harbours and bays. In consultation with the maritime authority, it has been decided that activities in all resort areas will be done beyond swimming areas and away from ships and piers.
It is a matter of safety ... . this was not arrived at lightly," he emphasised."
Since the tragedy in Negril in January, the government instituted an island wide ban to stop all possible incidents from occurring.
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