‘We will fix it’

Jamaica’s tourism transportation sector, once a symbol of empowerment for local operators, now finds itself at a crossroads.

During her contribution to the State of the Nation Debate in the Senate last Friday, Opposition Spokesman on Tourism, Senator Janice Allen, laid bare what she believes are the struggles of taxi operators, the erosion of local control, and the impact of crumbling infrastructure on the industry.

Raising concerns about the declining state of the industry’s transportation sector, Allen outlined how foreign entities have increasingly dominated the industry, marginalising local operators and contributing to an unsustainable model of development.

Allen began her address by paying tribute to the foundational work of the late Glen Bromfield and former Prime Minister PJ Patterson in establishing the Jamaica Union of Travellers Association (JUTA) in 1974. She highlighted how JUTA empowered Jamaican transportation providers by granting access to prime hotel parking areas, allowing them to transport visitors to various destinations and play a central role in the burgeoning tourism industry.

“JUTA drivers became a cornerstone of the industry,” she shared. “Their commitment to excellence not only built the tourism sector but also uplifted communities, creating a new Jamaican middle class.”

However, she lamented the erosion of these gains due to current policies.

“It is time we institute a policy whereby certain businesses are designated to be Jamaican-owned only,” she stated. “Other countries in the region have done it. What are we waiting for? It is time!”

Bold policy changes

She proposed bold policy changes to reverse these trends, including mandating that hotels facilitate access for licensed taxi operators free of cost and ensuring that international companies cannot extract profits at the expense of local stakeholders.

She went even further, stating that businesses like landscaping, water sports, and photo shops should remain in Jamaican hands to ensure that tourism dollars circulate within the local economy. Photographers in some of the island’s hotels are Hispanic, mainly from Mexico.

Allen also drew attention to the poor state of Jamaica’s roads, describing the challenges they pose to both tourists and local businesses. Citing a recent viral video of tourists complaining about road conditions between Montego Bay in St James and Negril, Westmoreland, she underscored the Government’s failure to maintain basic infrastructure.

“How can the very thing meant to improve the lives of Jamaicans instead become a source of exploitation?” she asked.

Laying the blame squarely on the minister of tourism, Edmund Bartlett, she accused him of presiding over an unprecedented leakage of tourism revenues.

“While this minister talks about linkages, we are seeing leakages,” she declared. “The transportation subsector is crying out for help, but it seems the minister can’t hear because he is asleep in-flight to somewhere.”

Master plan

Looking ahead, Allen outlined the People’s National Party’s (PNP) vision for a more sustainable and inclusive tourism model. This includes a recommitment to a tourism master plan for sustainable development, which would guide investment and ensure that developments benefit local communities without compromising the environment or infrastructure.

“We won’t be focused on announcements of hotel rooms,” she emphasised. “We will be focused on how many Jamaican lives are transformed and how many small businesses are birthed, protected, and developed.”

She pledged that a PNP-led government would prioritise the creation of the new tourism master plan to restore balance and sustainability to the industry.

With her closing words, Allen sought to leave no doubt about her party’s resolve.

“When we form the government, we will fix it. We will protect our transportation sector, plug the leaks, and ensure that tourism becomes a true driver of Jamaican prosperity.”

editorial@gleanerjm.com