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+--- Thread: Two Million Tourists in 2014 (/showthread.php?tid=100798)
RE: Two Million Tourists in 2014 - rastagirl777 - 02-06-2015
Westenders, interesting points made. I can only speak for myself - having been traveling to Negril since 1983 and for the past 11 years "living" there for 2-3 months at a time in a residential neighborhood deep west.
I am keenly aware of the changes Negril has gone through since the highway from MoBay was finished and West End Road was paved. Its why I'm so glad I agreed to sublet my friend's house in the yard where I now stay 11 years ago. Things in that neck of the woods still pretty much carries a vibe like Negril in the "old" days". I still carry myself as I always did in regards to meeting and greeting neighbors and people on the street but I no longer will walk alone at night in my neck of the woods (no street lights, too dark, too much potential trouble) so like I said - I have those fond memories from a time when Negril was spectacular for me in every way and I have adapted to current times as I've needed to. An old AA saying - look back - but don't stare.
Yes! LTU, Catcha, Seastar, AhBees, 3 Dives, Canoe, MiYard, Corner Bar, Xtabi and Rockhouse are beloved by tourists. I adore hanging out at Canoe with my "bad girls"...MiYard was a fairly regular stop for us back in the day - after a show on the beach or a late night party - I never got there before 1:00am and the place used to rock. I love the eggs benedict and conch burgers at Xtabi...and Ivans is my favorite restaurant in Negril. LTU is my neighborhood "hang" so I'm partial to it. LTU, MiYard and Corner Bar are also beloved and frequented by locals so I enjoy hanging out at those places to enjoy the mix of local and tourist and spending the night talking to everyone!
"The smaller joints"...Sir D's - lol. I used to stop there to take photos when it was not even open, all boarded up. My Scottish friends had a great Thai Restaurant there for a year. Its one of the sweetest views on the West End. Years ago I used to eat at Chicken Lavish, when I stayed further down on the cliffs. I've been going to PeeWees since my first trip in '83 - saw Tyrone Taylor perform there back then. Up until recently my stays would extend into February specifically for the best party on the planet there - PeeWee's birthday party. I'm good friends with the family as well (they are my neighbors) so when we can we stop in. No Limit - my fave place to watch football - US or Canadian. I've been eating at Sips and Bites for a good 20 or so years starting when they were in a tiny place with two tables...and I still enjoy eating there, its one of my fave out to dinner spots. I've been going to Jus Natural also for 20 years - when the sisters took over the previous business (when it was called "Miss Kitty's") - so nice they are only a five minute walk away from my yard now - I make sure to have breakfast there as often as I can when I'm in town.
These "smaller joints" are all frequented by tourists A LOT - Jus Natural was wicked busy each time I ate there this winter. So these places, while not Rockhouse or Catcha have as much appeal to tourists while retaining their local neighborhood vibe (and Jus Natural and Sips and Bites authentic Jamaican food to boot!)
Again - when I stayed down by M&L (aka "Lances") I shopped there. Now that I'm further south Wise Choice is our store of choice. I'll still hit up M&L for refrigerated eggs (done for tourists, btw) and they carry Clamato so the Canadian tourists flock there by the bus load.
I don't know about tourists not spending West End way. I saw lots of tourist activity around Christmas and New Years on the West End and again right before we left the last couple of weeks of January. I also saw lots of folks walking West End Road - more than I've seen in a few years. I think people were scared off with talk of robberies and even more so cars speeding down a narrow road with no sidewalks. Me, during the day, I walk as much as I can (i.e., to Wise Choice to pick up a few items).
The "drunk bus" (as we call it) - I never want to be anywhere when that thing arrives - funny thing though - my last visit to Canoe before I left the island, I was enjoying my second Caesar and great conversation with my bestie and Patty when all of a sudden it pulled up. It was after sunset so there must have been a request - so all these drunks pour out of the thing and into the bar - Patty jumped up to help behind the bar, my bestie and I made a beeline to the deck. While I might not enjoy being there when "they" are there it has been a great thing for the West End, especially those "smaller joints" like No Limit and Sir D's, places tourists who stay in AIs or on the beach may never see otherwise.
"Or maybe the sky is falling posse on these boards are scaring people." Winner, winner chicken dinner - EXACTLY
RE: Two Million Tourists in 2014 - Passion4Diving - 02-06-2015
All Jamaicans benefit, even if indirectly, from tourism. Tourism is 30 percent of Jamaica's GDP (buxite/alumina exports, by contrast, contribute some 5 percent of GDP). This income is used by the government to fund those projects that keeps moving Jamaica moving forward (roads, power, water [such as as they are] to name a few). And the Jamaican government needs this GDP revenue to repay the interest on loans. That interest is some 50 percent of the Government's budget and a huge chunk of the debt is payable in US dollars. As devaluation of the JA$ continues (and it will), it will need more and more foreign investment which includes increasing tourism and increasing taxation on tourism as it is low hanging fruit.
Cuba's tourism will take a while to develop but when it does, travel cost to get there will likely be cheaper than elsewhere in the Caribbean and the resorts will likely be cheaper, too. I predict Cuba will be, at least initially, a huge tourist magnet impacting not just Jamaica. Maybe I am looking too far ahead, perhaps not the Jamaican way. Still, losing tourism-inspired revenue will have a huge impact on Jamaica and Jamaicans.
RE: Two Million Tourists in 2014 - macyoder - 02-09-2015
Jamaica is in for a rude awakening when Cuba takes off. I won't even give serious thoughts to a family vacation in Jamaica due to the loud explicit lyrics, dance hall posters everywhere, and the men who are at you at every step. The last trip was like a stroll into soft porn arena. Jamaica is gearing up by building more A/I resorts. My dream would be Caribbean cruise with stops in Cuba and Jamaica. Now I can book a few with points :-)
In one way or the other everyone benefits from remittance and tourism as big contributors to the economy.
RE: Two Million Tourists in 2014 - Flintstone - 02-09-2015
Hi everybody, here on the west end now, I can tell you that we can't walk any where without being hassled. Been here for 2 weeks and it never changes. Its not just the young punks either some are my age early 50,s. Q.west ender are there really this many hustlers in England? Never get those at home or anywhere I've been in Germany. Rg we see less people walking than usual? I expect some hassles but day after day.... it gets old. We have eat an at Ras rodys 4 times v good and no hassle there. I can see why people take cabs instead of walking.
RE: Two Million Tourists in 2014 - Westenders - 02-09-2015
I don't get hustled or hassle in the west end but realise that some people do. Every day for two weeks? Usually the ones who try to offer you stuff get the message after a couple of days, but that is not pertinent to the west end.
I do think as tourists we have to accept some accountability for any beast that has developed.
The hustle and assumptions works both ways for example,
When we were there last month we were ar ricks. My friend and I were swimming in the ricks pools. Our husbands who are jamaican were sat under the cabana catching some free shade. A male tourist late 50s and what turned out to be his son approached them and asked if they could get them some ganja. Our husbands aren't drug dealers, so wTF...now don't get me wrong our hubs were both smoking a spliff, but that dose'nt give any tourist the right to approach them and ask them to get them some!
Another example, we were staying at Rooms, and were sat having some drinks at the bar one evening before going out. A young American couple newly arrived that day were also at the bar. Chatty friendly couple. After a while with us all having some laughs, us drinking, the hubs again smoking, the young man asked our hubs to get the some ecstasy , they wanted to spend 100 usd.
Again wtf,,,,just cos they are smoking don't make them a drug dealer, and bloody ecstasy at that, not even a request for Ganga.
And so on and so on, lots of tourists do this, especially them that don't know what they are doing.
Simple supply and demand, fault on both sides.
But it's not on to be offered drugs, its quite sordid, that's how I felt when my husband gets approached to sell someone drugs.
And you do get approached in the UK, but much more covertly. I've even come across deals going down at the school gates. But whole big issue there.
I spend a lot of time in the west end, and not with tourists, so maybe that's why I don't see this so much.
Wise choice is in my neck of the woods...and apart from a young guy working there thinking I was fresh meat when I went to buy some wine, and started telling me he likes my voice. I don't get any hassle there. That old chestnut lol....
RE: Two Million Tourists in 2014 - Westenders - 02-09-2015
I RG, I enjoyed reading your very interesting and balanced post.
My history Is not as long as yours, but your essence and vibe feels very similar.
I shall look forwards to hearing how folks feel about Cuba . It's very boring imo, apart from Havana.
Lying on a beach all day, every day is pretty much it.
It will still be a communist country, which is not exactly a fun experience.
Are there any canadian board members with a view? Loads of Canadians tourists when I went.
RE: Two Million Tourists in 2014 - Flintstone - 02-09-2015
I agree with you west ender re both sides of this. Just think as a newbie they felt comfortable approaching your partner to ask. Not easy to find someone you believe will not do you wrong esp. with all the ripoffs around.we love to walk and I look like a customer so I expect it.From toxic. Confession to the car wash is the worst this kid just won,t stop, I've bought him a beer looked at his crap, listened to his BS still stops me every time...Today I had enough he stops us blaa blaa just back from the mountain blaaa blaaa, I says look buddy I am on vacation and you are wasting my time.Fist bump ,respect man.
RE: Two Million Tourists in 2014 - oldtimer - 02-09-2015
Good work !!!! Flintstone !!!
RE: Two Million Tourists in 2014 - captaind on Zion Hill - 02-09-2015
I've never been hustled.
Cap
RE: Two Million Tourists in 2014 - Flintstone - 02-09-2015
OT thanks man! Cap.that's wonderfull must be a force field around you. Maybe people see me as a sucker. There is a small stand where I used to buy patties, same dude for years, this year patty box empty very few fruits. So he stops us each time but he didn't remember me from before. Right away any brownies? Mushroom s? I got the Honey oil he says.. So to be nice I look, he pulls out a bottle cap with just a thin layer around the edge and something like a pebble in the middle. I laugh saying what's that? A pimento seed he says. Really...... it looks like you pulled this out of the trash. Made me lose all respect for this guy. He still pushes us as we pass. I think he should sell insurance or used cars.