Will recent Hurricanes cause increase in visitors?

[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.

[Accompong]

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.

The trouble here is "urgency". How many chances do they have to get a bite out of the apple. They think they must get you first before you see anyone else. They think it may be your last day and their last chance. I see it here in So. Florida on a smaller scale. You go to a venue where mostly locals go then the attitude is more relaxed vs going to a tourist event where the aggressive sales tactics are turned way up.

Negril Beach is the ultimate in tourist venue as almost everyone is a tourist and what locals there are looking for is your money. The more they see you and get to know you, the less pressure they exert and conversely for the newbie. Those that have been to places like Dunns River Falls or where the Tourist Ships dock see it vividly as these are mostly "a few hour visitors" so the pressure to score is jacked up even higher. When you go to Scott's Cove on the St. Eliz-Westmoreland border, everyone sells fish and bammy. A car pulls in, tourists or locals, and everyone rushes it with sharp elbows to score a sale because if you don't, you won't have any money at the end of the day.

Go to a tourist trap and inject more tourist and it will only get worse.

Just my opinion