'Stop harassing tourists'

Ruddy Mathison, Gleaner Writer

Just two months into the cruise ship business in Falmouth, there are already mounting reports of harassment being experienced by cruise ship passengers.

Yesterday, tourism minister Edmund Bartlett issued a warning to residents of Trelawny and players in the parish’s developing tourism industry to make an effort to guard against tourist harassment.

Hours later, Falmouth’s Mayor Colin Gager told a meeting of 1500 craft vendors and stake holders that representatives of Royal Caribbean Cruises complained to the parish council about tourist harassment.

According to Gager, the cruise line representatives said the problem became so grave, that the cruise line is planning to stop passengers from leaving the port compound.

Mayor Gager said the parish council is taking steps to regularise the craft vending in Water Square.

While some craft vendors were not pleased about the decision, Public Relations officer for the Trelawny Craft Vendors Association Marlene Minto, said the association will be cooperating with the council.

ruddy.mathison@gleanerjm.com