JHTA keeps close watch following murder of tourist

Jamaican tourism interests are keeping a close watch for any possible fallout in the sector arising from the killing of an American tourist in Westmoreland on the weekend. The visitor was shot on Saturday night in Savanna-la-Mar by a man who was wanted by the police.

The police report that two men posing as shoppers went into a store and, shortly after, brandished guns and robbed the owner of an undetermined sum of cash. The tourist was robbed and killed in the process. One of the gunmen was later killed in a shootout with the police.

Evelyn Smith, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), described the killing of  the tourist as extremely unfortunate.

“A sad situation to have occurred and obviously our thoughts go out to the family of the deceased person. This is something obviously we will have to watch and see exactly what happens next in terms of any negativity,” said Mrs. Smith.

The US Embassy, in a release on Sunday, said it was awaiting the official report on the incident. However it noted that the majority of American tourists visit Jamaica and return to the US without incident. It added that, despite the incident, cooperation between the US and Jamaican security officials remains strong.