Another call for resorts to re-examine employment practices in wake of reports about the rape of American tourists

2:47 pm, Thu November 1, 2018

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Winston Lawson, President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Another call is being made for entities in the tourism industry to re-examine their employment practices in the wake of reports that several American tourists have been sexually assaulted at hotels and resorts in Jamaica.

The USA Today newspaper on Tuesday reported that 78 tourists were raped in Jamaica between 2011 and last year.

Some of the alleged assaults were reportedly carried out by hotel employees.

Winston Lawson, President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is concerned about the reports as tourism is a major revenue earner in St. James.

Speaking on RJR's Hotline programme Thursday morning, Mr. Lawson said hoteliers need to take action to prevent any fallout in the sector by revisiting recruitment policies to ensure they are detailed enough and by providing code of ethics training for staff along with regular refresher courses.