Highlights
− Jamaican tourist sector experiencing steady growth
− Government seeks to expand sector through the “Drive for Five” campaign
− High incidences of both violent and non-violent crime in developing areas make Jamaica a risky tourist locale
The Jamaican government is developing an extensive plan to build and update the tourism infrastructure throughout the island. Great emphasis will be placed on ensuring Jamaica has the quality and variety of attractions and accommodations needed to draw new markets and to expand existing ones.
The “Drive for Five”
New developments in Jamaica’s tourism sector include:
• A new tourist resort in Luana, St. Elizabeth to boost the potential for cruise line tourism
• A transformation of Port Royal’s infrastructure to accommodate cruise ships
• Expansion and re-development of Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay
• Increased development of financial sector and shopping areas, including a cruise shipping facility in Kingston
• A tolled bridge to link the Norman Manley International Airport to downtown Kingston
• Relocation of Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to downtown Kingston to allow a number of foreign missions to have closer access to the developed areas
• Development of the Port Antonio area, specifically in the luxury sector
• Beachfront property and tourism development on the island’s east coast
The initiative, dubbed the “Drive for Five” by Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, is tasked with increasing the number of visitors to Jamaica by 70 percent, or an additional five million tourists, by 2012. Along with the increase, daily tourist spending is expected to rise from US$85 to US$150, a significant increase with the potential to make Jamaica’s tourism sector worth US$75 billion annually. Increased profits are set to fund economic stimulants aimed at poverty reduction, unemployment depletion, and crime deterrence.
The Security Situation
While Jamaica has seen marginal growth in its tourism sector the national crime rate is exceedingly high. To this end, the threat of crime and violence against foreign tourists remains elevated. Western tourists often experience incidences of petty theft, including pick-pocketing and robberies, and, at times, more violent crimes such as assault or rape.
Admittedly, Jamaica’s elevated murder rates have generally not impacted the country’s tourism sector, but instead are intrinsically engrained in the poor, gang, and drug trafficking society. Additionally, most tourists visit the northern coastal resort areas in Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, and Port Antonio, none of which have experienced substantial increases in criminal activities.
However, many of the development projects are aimed at drawing tourists away from these traditionally “safe” destinations; thus, the conventional perception that tourists do not need to fear crime and violence does not apply. In fact, the development ventures are taking place in volatile areas where law enforcement struggles to ensure safety.
Jamaica’s capital, Kingston, for example, where much of the new development is set to occur, is the most violent and potentially dangerous location on the island. The city contributes the largest share of homicides to the state total and has a high concentration of drug traffickers and gangs. Thus, the likelihood that tourists would be exposed to crime or violence remains high in this region.
Additionally, the continued growth of urban slums near tourist destinations will likely negatively impact the state’s tourism sector. Wide-range poverty exhibited in close proximity to Jamaica’s tourist areas negatively affects the island’s image. To this end, should criminality rise, the appeal of Jamaica may suffer.
The Look Forward
We contend that the security environment will continue to decrease in the near-term, as government officials seem unable–or unwilling–to contain the effects of crime. We anticipate the continuing rise of both violent and non-violent crime over the mid to long-term, as the local Jamaican security forces possess neither the training nor the manpower to combat the growing threat of organized criminal gangs and international drug trafficking cartels.
As such, tourists should use continued vigilance when traveling to Jamaica, especially in developing areas. Specifically, regions undergoing the most substantial development, mainly Kingston and the surrounding area, will remain dangerous for the foreseeable future.
Though the development of infrastructure will aid in the safety of the region in the long-term, we do not see Jamaican authorities providing security for those traveling to areas with high levels of crime in the near future.
