The well-oiled machinery of the resilient corridor has kept hotels safely operating and occupancy levels have again begun to inch upwards. But what about those who work beyond the gates of swanky resorts? Is tourism “back” for them as well? LetsTravelCaribbean.com went across the country to find out.
Valerie Turner
She’s been braiding tourists’ hair for more than 30 years. She works out of the Ocho Rios Craft Market and during a recent visit was seen eagerly waiting to see if any among the handful of tourists strolling by were in need of her expertise. Also on her mind is the need for the authorities to provide her and other hair braiders with a place to work.
“We are getting a few tourists now. It is better than before. The tourists want their hair to be braided. Man braid, woman braid — man braid all dem beard. We also groom locks. But we want the authorities to settle the braiders by finding somewhere to put us. They only settle some and don’t settle the rest; that’s not good. [One of the two piers in Ocho Rios] does not have any braiding station, and there are a lot of braiders in the streets. They can give us a bly.”
Cecil ‘Buddha’ Stephens
Stephens has sold refreshing coconut jelly and sugar cane to locals and tourists in Negril for 20 years. He lives in Grange Hill, Westmoreland, but travels all the way to the tourist resort to earn enough to take care of his family.
“A just one and two tourist come buy jelly, but mi grateful. Mi woulda like it fi change up and the place go back to normal.”
Jeremiah ‘Mark’ Jones
For the last six years, from the shade provided by a giant almond tree, the St Mary resident and his common law wife Nicole Barrett have sold roast breadfruit, sugar cane and other food items to local residents and guests staying at Couples Tower Isle and guest houses in the area.
“Wi kinda see the door opening up back. I just sell a pineapple and cane to a guest. It is a long while I don’t sell anything to a guest. COVID-19 really affect wi a lot because things get slow and people are not buying as much as they used to. Wi have to push extra hard. If there comes a time when it can pick up, we would feel better.”
Cyford Harvey
He’s been doing art and craft for about three decades. He said things are picking up slowly inside the Ocho Rios Craft Market.
“A couple tourists come though at times even though the COVID thing is going on. We have to just keep our masks on and sanitise and things like that. The little that I earn these days, I just keep it and satisfy with it. I am feeling okay to know things are getting back together again.”
