Typically, I use a mix while we are there. I get Jamaican for some purchases, but pay large purchases in US dollars.

Over the last week, I've seen threads on various FB pages, trip advisor and a carribean travelers forum I frequent where the topic has come up. One issue that I do not understand, and was hoping someone could either refute or explain is "spending US dollars in Jamaica hurts the economy"... and "spending us dolllars in Jamaica will not enter their system"

Both seem counterintuitive to me, but I'm not an economist. I get that buying rooms from a foreign owned entity may not enter the economy directly, but it seems that salaries, and the like would still make it into the system... but I'm more curious about the impact of using US dollars as opposed to strictly Jamaican.

Thoughts?