Time to open up the beaches

THE EDITOR, Madam:

It was alarming to read about the drastic drop in Jamaica’s stay-over travellers this July. In contrast, the Dominican Republic recorded the highest stay-over traveller rate in the Caribbean for the same month. While Jamaica generates over $4 billion in annual tourism revenue, the Dominican Republic generates over $20 billion.

What explains this disparity? The Dominican Republic offers more bed-and-breakfast accommodations than any other Caribbean nation, and its beaches remain open to the public outside of private resorts. Notably, 30 per cent of their tourists choose bed-and-breakfasts.

Unfortunately, I recently heard about a visitor who vowed never to return to Jamaica after renting a bed-and-breakfast but being unable to access the beach. This highlights the core problem: 99 per cent of Jamaica’s beaches are privatised.

Traditional resorts are becoming a thing of the past for many travellers. Today, 61 per cent of tourists consist of Millennials and Generation Z, who prefer bed-and-breakfast facilities. They travel four to five times a year, seeking personalised hospitality and cultural immersion. While resorts can make you feel close to a destination, bed-and-breakfasts make you feel like you are truly there.

It is time to open the beaches.

DANIEL SINGH