Tourist Harassment Targeted by Jamaica

This Caribbean island is taking a tougher stand against local people who pester tourists to buy goods, drugs and sex in resort towns, and is increasing fines for such offenses 100-fold, officials say.

According to a survey by the tourist board, 56% of visitors felt they had been harassed during their Jamaica stay, and nearly 13% said their vacations were spoiled by it. Of those reporting harassment, 86% said they had been pressured to buy crafts, 60% had been asked to buy drugs and nearly 12% had been approached for sex.

Under the island’s Town and Communities Act, amended by the Cabinet this month, fines for harassment will rise from about $27.40 to $2,740. For repeat offenders, the fines go up from about $41 to $4,100. The new measures also include night courts to facilitate swift trials and a program to build local crafts industries.

Nearly 2 million visitors vacationed in Jamaica last year, and tourism employs 25% of Jamaica’s workers.