By Devon Evans, Gleaner WriterOCHO RIOs, St. Ann:
OFFICIALS FROM the Ministry of Tourism are said to be frantically working behind the scenes, trying to prevent craft vendors in Ocho Rios from again taking to the streets.
Angered by the lack of business from the cruise ships, the craft vendors say they have lost all confidence in the willingness of the authorities to assist them, accusing officials of 'selling out to big business'.
"Only the businesses which are run by the Indians and places like Dolphin Cove and our former member of Parliament eating all the food," notes Trevor Adams, craft trader.
Scores of vendors from the Pineapple Craft Market took to the streets last week, a move that embarrassed the tourism sector. Officials, with the cruise shipping season now in full force, are worried that a repeat performance could be detrimental to the industry.
EMBARRASSMENT
"Last week was real bad ... embarrassing to say the least," one official noted. "To see placards being shoved in the faces of visitors was a sight we all would soon all want to forget."
The craft traders, however, have a different take. "It has been nearly 10 years since we have been getting the run-around from government and to date nothing has been done to improve our situation," remarked president of the Ocho Rios Craft Vendors' Association and the all-island association, Mildred McCalla.
ISLANDWIDE MOBILISATION
Mrs. McCalla confirmed on the weekend that craft vendors were being mobilised islandwide "to demand justice and fairness in the business". She also admitted to receiving calls from officials of the Ministry of Tourism including director general in the ministry, Carolle Guntley, who wants them to remain calm until a meeting is held sometime this week.
"A we start de business and if we cyaan benefit from it, dem nah go benefit either," said Mrs. Gloria Wheeler, a craft vendor who has been in the business for more 20 years.
