Tourism safety in Jamaica: Behind the current headlines of rape and cover up

Jamaica recently emerged as one of the most progressive destinations in the world when it comes to travel tourism safety and security.

This is despite Jamaica owned Sandals Resort making headlines in the United States today for covering up sexual assaults on tourists on their property. Male prostitutes offering their services to white women (“rent-a-dreads”) is a problem relatively unique to Jamaica, and the demand by some female tourists for such services can spill over in negative ways on other visiting women, who may be viewed as “easy” by some local men.

For millions of Americans, the Caribbean is a dream vacation destination. Sky blue waters, white-sand beaches, and a laid-back tropical vibe make for the ideal getaway. But a less-pleasant reality sometimes lurks behind the picture-perfect image. Even though the chance winning the lottery may be higher than being a victim in a crime while on vacation in the Caribbean, incidents of a rape case in Jamaica makes good headlines.

Jamaica is not alone in the world in also having a dark side of tourism, but it’s one of the few destinations recently making it a top priority to understand and correct problems. The country is ready to implement measures necessary to make this Caribbean destination completely safe for tourists, but keeping up the fun and cultural uniqueness Jamaica is known for.

In opening a global tourism resilient center in Jamaica, the island nation is actually becoming the global center for tourism safety. The man behind it is Jamaica’s tourism minister Ed Bartlett.

The Jamaica based Tourism Crisis Management Centre is becoming the most significant global institution in the world, in relation to resilience and crisis management issues, as it has received support from a large number of states and major tourism entities across the world.

Bartlett invited Dr. Peter Tarlow to Jamaica. Tarlow is an internationally known and recognized travel and tourism safety and security expert. He will conduct an audit and discuss solutions with safety professionals inb Jamaica.

Jamaica is not alone when it comes to security and safety challenges at travel destinations.

In Waikiki (Hawaii) the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel was accused of covering up a man on man rape in 2014. The victim told eTN recently that after 4 years Federal Authorities are getting involved. The victim had accused Honolulu of covering up the incident. The victim alleged the police was pressured by the Hawaii Tourism Authority to avoid negative publicity.

Violent crime can be an issue in tourist areas of the Bahamas, warns the U.S. State Department. Jet-ski operators have sexually assaulted tourists, and visitors should avoid the “over the hill” area in Nassau after dark.

There have been incidents of rape on urban buses (micros) on routes in the south of Mexico City.

In June an American tourist was brutally attacked near Trafalgar Square in London.

Three men have been arrested and are in custody following an alleged gang rape in a park near the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

source: eTN