If you are scheduled to arrive in Jamaica within the next
five days you should consider cancelling your flight until
the situation stabilizes. Currently Air Canada flights into
and out of Jamaica seem to be suspended. Arrival via
Kingston, where the worst problems are occurring, is not
advised since cross-town travel can be disrupted in places
by illegal roadblocks or roving bands of thugs who may
attempt to stop cars and demand money. The situation is very
volatile. The police have had running gunbattles in some
poorer neighbourhoods with armed criminals who are taking
advantage of civil turmoil to settle scores with the police.
There are tourists stranded at some resorts without surface
or air transportation out of the country. If the situation
does not change some hotels could very well have supply
problems soon.
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British Newspaper Report - 22/04/99
-
A British Airways flight carrying 300 people from London to
Jamaica was cancelled yesterday after rioting, looting and
arson on the island. A number of people have been killed
and wounded in the protests over petrol price rises. The
2,500 Britons in Jamaica have been advised to stay indoors.
I was in Kingston last year and felt an sense of tension in
the city. One night I went to this jerk shack for dinner,
which was about a half mile from my hotel, and was
threatened by a group of young males. An unknown passerby
came to my aid and actually personally escorted me to the
restaurant. I took him for dinner and he walked me back to
my hotel. He said that these guys were looking for white
guys in particular to rob and didn't want me to be a
victim. Kingston I feel is very dangerous and always on the
cusp of violence. Most of the people there are very poor
and desparate and have no real hope of making it in the
world.
~
Jamaican tourism is in trouble. The violence and crime
against tourists actually caused Celebrity Cruises to pull
out of Montego Bay last year. The "all-inclusive" resorts
have stifled the economy because tourists do not leave the
property and spend money in local shops and restaurants. I
do not see this ending. Somehow I just don't see the
Kingston area tourism increasing, despite what appears to
be a firm commitment from the government to develop the
south (finally). I love Jamaica and I hate Jamaica at the
same time, but I would definitely not go there, especially
to the capital, until things cool off.