Originally Posted by
Accompong
Hi David,
Liked your post and just wanted to add a couple of thoughts.
Well a tourist and a Jamaican look at development quite differently. A tourist wants a laid-back "no problem" visit and a Jamaican wants jobs to feed his family. The more mega-developments that get built by foreign investors, more low paying jobs will be created. I don't know the current rate of pay for a housekeeper at a mega-resort but a few years ago it was about $50 US for a week. If you allow Jamaican small business owners to increase their room offerings, they will hire more people at a little better wages and a much better working environment.
Jamaica is recording record numbers of visitors every year and the numbers continue to climb. Sad fact of life is that the new visitors are willing to pay more to stay per night and buying into the "Jamaica is not a safe place so stay in the compound" mantra propagated to keep returning visitors loyal to their brand. Profits go up and more foreign investors offer money to buy out the little guy with the small coconut tree restriction.
When you decide not to visit any longer because Negril is too developed, don't cry for Jamaica because a whole lot more people will be rushing in to fill the void your leaving created. The Cancun operators who used to get your dollars can't remember your name any longer after you quit coming and so it will be with Negril. Your friends will find new friends and (they hope) more generous friends even though you have been generous with them.
Perhaps then you will realize like CaptD and I have realized that Jamaica is bigger than Negril and still has a whole lot to offer the tourist.
Before you run away to Cuba or Puerto WhatEverTheNextInPlaceIstoVacation, widen your vision when it comes to staying in Jamaica.
Just my personal opinion.
Peace and Guidance
