Marco. I respect your opinion but don't agree with all of it. Your observations, sightings and opinions from some other repeat visitors is a small sampling to make such a statement that "repeating visitors/tourist is dwindling pretty fast". Statistics show otherwise with visitors hitting a record 4.3 million in 2017 which is larger than the total population of the island. They may not be those whom you are referring to in that statement though.Originally Posted by Marko
https://jis.gov.jm/record-4-3-millio...arrivals-2017/ I think it is reasonable to assume that a high percentage are either returning visitors or will be visiting again very soon.
I agree that crime is a major factor in people deciding not to travel to Jamaica for the first time or even repeating visitors but I don't think that number is more than the increasing number of those deciding to visit Jamaica for the first time or visiting again as the total visitor count keeps rising year after year. I fully appreciate that the rising cost in Jamaica for staples like food and transportation etc. hurts everyone but not at the same extent. It is devastating to Jamaicans living on a fixed income, unemployed or underemployed but not that significant to tourists. Whether a meal cost $10 US one time and then $15 US later as prices rise just get adsorbed into the vacation budget and route taxi fares going up $100 Jamaican or more hurts the everyday Jamaican much more than a tourist.
I don't think that either you nor I can prognosticate Jamaica's future going forward as we simply don't have enough insight on what measures will be taken to make things better for the country as a whole. I see a country whose government is willing to act regardless of politics to solve problems. It is true that they may have different opinions on just what a problem entails but some action will be undertaken. I was just staying in rural areas and, yes, the water was often off and the electricity was going on and off and the roads were in deplorable condition but a backup generator was being installed to solve the water pump current problem and JPS is upgrading its power grid all over the island.
I too am saddened by the random act of violence that might cause a visitor not to want to visit Jamaica again but, I don't visit a lot of places for the same reason and, sometimes, for even less of a reason. Everyone has to make up their own mind as we all have different tolerances for safety concerns.
Visitor numbers are accelerating and one could argue that long time, repeat visitors like you and I who might be referred to as "cheap"may help the local economy more by putting our money directly in the hands of everyday Jamaicans but we do, after all, spend less money per day than those who stay at All Inclusives and premium properties. I think if our numbers decrease, the void we leave will be readily filled by others so there will always be someone to do more if we are not there to do it.
Respect Marko.
