Will recent Hurricanes cause increase in visitors?

[jon c.]

I'm sure there will be some increase with a number of islands now being unable to host visitors for the next high season, but there are certainly a lot of folks who believe JA is more dangerous than other islands and would take a year off rather than switch to JA. This is often a false impression, but it is pretty deeply ingrained from what I read. I do suspect the aggressive nature of hustlers lends to this image. Even though very few such folks do engage in crime against tourists, they clearly make many tourists uncomfortable. And uncomfortable can mean 'a little frightened', which can translate to sounding like there is a lot of crime as vacation tales are retold and reinterpreted.

[Chris B]

Maybe it is because I go to visit Jamaica and not just Negril that it wouldn't bother me if all the rooms were filled. Years ago when Negril had too many tourists for my liking, I started staying in other places around the island and got a similar experience as to what I liked about Negril. Instead of abandoning Jamaica if Negril is not available, consider places like Treasure Beach as an alternative. Even though I have a place in Accompong Town, I will be spending a week in Treasure Beach this winter.

Excellent advice...

[Craig123]

the garbage situation is way better than it was 10+ years ago. It's the aggressive crack head and bike guys that need to go

I remember being shocked in 2007 with all the garbage laying on the side of the roads and highways. It was sure an eye opener for me. I honestly thought the sanitation workers were on strike. I agree the garbage situation is much better but could always be improved.

I also agree with the crack head problem. Unfortunately, the Caribbean is a direct route to the US cocaine market and some of it is used as a currency for the local mules who cook it up for the locals. Desperate junkies are willing to do almost anything to support their habit. They can definitely be aggressive. Get a crack head on a motorbike and look out. Prohibition has definitely created this market. As Peter Tosh wisely sad "legalize it". Yup legalize it all. Problems wouldn't disappear but they'd be much more manageable. That's a topic for a different thread and perhaps a different board.

[Irine]

Two nights isn't bad. That's less than I pay now when I book six months ahead. Will probably do that if they let me, White Sands. Thanks for responding!

Irine, think it all depends on the hotel/resort. We always book the next year during the current stay. We are asked to pay for two room nights which is the same amount we would pay if we booked just a month out. You do need to be comfortable trusting that nothing will change with the property in the upcoming year.

[booger]

I returned Sunday from a nearly two week stay and met numerous folks who diverted to Jamaica due to the havoc on the other islands. So I would expect a temporary lift for sure, and I'm guessing this season will be great for Jamaica. My concern is the ability to retain those new travelers for future visits. The feedback was mixed, mainly due to the hustle that they encountered.

One thing that was also new was there were some folks walking the beach with clipboards doing surveys, asking questions about what travelers liked and did not like. Not sure if it was the tourist board or another organization. Business owners would be well served to direct additional efforts towards the negative that chases some folks away. If I owned a business there I would be sure to make sure my staff was prepared to welcome the influx and to do their part to make it a great vacation for the new arrivals. Step up our game to make a good first impression.

[Irine]

I don't know about other folks so I won't speak for them, but if I was allowed to just shop the beach without someone trying to push everything on me I guarantee I would spend more money. My auto response now is a polite "no thank you" and I wish it wasn't that way. I'm sure I pass up a lot of things I might buy just because I don't have the stomach for the hard sell. I know it's their livelihood and I have it better in many ways, blessed for sure, I just wish they would let me shop, for sure I would spend more.

[SoloTraveller]

I don't know about other folks so I won't speak for them, but if I was allowed to just shop the beach without someone trying to push everything on me I guarantee I would spend more money. My auto response now is a polite "no thank you" and I wish it wasn't that way. I'm sure I pass up a lot of things I might buy just because I don't have the stomach for the hard sell. I know it's their livelihood and I have it better in many ways, blessed for sure, I just wish they would let me shop, for sure I would spend more.

Yup. Every year I go back it gets better, however. But I think it's just because more and more vendors recognize me/us. They really go hard after newbies, which compounds the problem and negative reputation.

[Kritter]

I watched a local tv talk show here in Grand Rapids, Mich yesterday. They had a travel agent as their guest .... she was pushing Jamaica as an alternative to other Caribbean destinations that had been hurricane damaged. I suspect this will create an up-tic for Negril reservations.

[halfwaytree]

but if I was allowed to just shop the beach without someone trying to push everything on me I guarantee I would spend more money. My auto response now is a polite "no thank you" and I wish it wasn't that way. I'm sure I pass up a lot of things I might buy just because I don't have the stomach for the hard sell. I know it's their livelihood and I have it better in many ways, blessed for sure, I just wish they would let me shop, for sure I would spend more.

Good point!

I know of folks who when moving up and down the beach use the sidewalk just to avoid the tiresome dealings with the higglers. It's pretty sad when you travel to Negril for a beach holiday and you can't enjoy a simple walk down the beach without the constant approaches of vendors trying to get your attention. It can be over the top.

But yes, if things could change somehow it would be a win win. Less aggressive sales tactics by the vendors = more return visitors willing to open their wallets in a much more consumer freindly environment.

[Chris B]

I suspect that the big problem with beach vendors is that so many of them are unsanctioned "free agents". No permit, no license... not surprising given the underground nature of what some of them are selling (and folks are buying). Not judging, btw, I'm just stating what might be the root cause, supply and demand, all that; and I am very familiar with the usual good folks. Some of those clip board toting folks are working the same scam you see along the beaches in Florida... claiming to conduct a survey to engage, then changing to condo property sales mode... happened to us a couple of years back.