Check Your Bucket List: TripAdviser Picks The Best Destinations Worldwide (PHOTOS)
www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/01/best-destinations-worldwi_n_1465589.html

TripAdviser's Top 25 Destinations in the Caribbean:2012
www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Destinations-cTop-g147237

When you've taken a look at, or visited #17 on the Caribbean Destination List, Varadero-Cuba, it's understandable why a Jamaican national, John Issa, would be hedging bets by investing in Cuban beach front properties ("management contracts") with his SuperClub hotel chain located there...Is that a warranty against the day when sea & sun beach resorts, here at home, are all gobbled up by the congloms?

Old Observer Story:
www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/60184_US-threatens-SuperClubs-over-Cuba-hotel

SuperClubs SuperFun Resort and Spa:
http://mobile.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20101022/social/social3.php

Not in mi Treasured B-Yaahd...Tourist Harassment In Negril At All-Time High...Times Are Rough

"Something has to be done as the level of harassment taking place especially on the beach is horrendous. Drug peddlers on the beach know no bounds and have gone as far as to offer children drugs for purchase."

"This is a matter where you cannot take your eyes off of it. All the hoteliers are appealing for an abatement of this serious problem that threatens our businesses. It is easier for persons to spread the bad about Jamaica than the good things on travel sites and so it is important that this harassment problem is effectively dealt with."
•Brian Sang (JHTA-Negril)

Gleaner Link:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120502/news/news2.html

We'd like to stress that the comment and link by Alpha above refers to Negril, which is on the west end of the island, far from Treasure Beach. We believe his point was that Negril has a tourist harassment problem but Treasure Beach does not.

-TBNet

We had two groups of guests come in last week who came from Negril. Both stated that if they hadn't come to Treasure Beach and only stayed in Negril they would have never come back to Jamaica. Now they are looking forward to coming back to Treasure Beach.

Our sympathies really go out to the business owners of Negril as this is a very very difficult issue.

Z, do you know the outcome of that "old Observer story" since it's from '04? Much is changing with regards to property ownership etc in Cuba, and rapidly too.

I have often heard it said that Treasure Beach is similar to what Negril used to be before its "development". We need to be vigilant that the ills that have befallen Negril do not take root in Treasure Beach.

Drug pushers cross borders.

Negril has never felt right to me. Sort of like when you arrive at a party a few hours late and everyone is younger than you expected and drunker than you expected and you've not having fun and want to leave. Then you leave and get hassled to buy stuff all the way to your car.

observer...it seems rather preposterous that the US is still relating to Cuba under the atmosphere of Cold War politics, and that a small population of Cuban Americans can continue "dictating" to the rest of the US population to continue embargoing Cuba...what for?...to bring a communist country to its knees, but then go with hands extended to communist China.

The US bars its companies from doing business with Cuba.

As refugees, Cuban-Americans still are reserved a very privileged position, given full legal status and a head-start path toward US citizenship All a "fleeing" Cuban has to do, arriving by whatever means...even swimming, is stick one toe on US soil and they are granted this immunity . Indeed, there are human rights issues and violations, which advocates for a freer society should be discussing and teasing out of Cuba through all manner of international exchanges. Canada, a fairly respectable Anglo-Franco society, doesn't seem to have much problem in that regard, and show little signs of socio-philosophical infection or contamination.

As far as Jamaican, or any other, companies operating in Cuba, it's hard to imagine any enforceable sanctions from US judiciaries, as they would be overruled by sovereignty priorities.

For a look at the more current leasing/business opportunities opening up in Cuba, see the Link below. Who knows, we might just fall in love with the vivacity and pulse of Old Havana again, and a beautifully creative people, whose spirit is irrepressible.

Gleaner Link:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20100901/business/business7.html

Oh for Pax Americana and Los y Las Cubanos to align with Pax Humanis (Correct my Latin Z), us too.

If Cuba opens up, we could still be "The most beautiful land my eyes have seen"; if we kept it so and better. The old time name for Jamaica in Santiago de Cuba is 'Yamaye', they did nor forget that Paradise or the land of Earth Mumma lay to the South.

E Pluribus Unum.

I have to put in a good word for Negril. I have been visiting Negril since the "good old days" (early 80's) before there was so much development. Yes, I loved it back then when the beaches were more deserted but I still love it dearly and to me, it has an appeal all its own. I have visited every part of Jamaica and still Negril is my favorite spot. (No offense to Treasure Beach, which is also a wonderful place.)

I love hanging out on the beach, watching the world go by: the fruit ladies with baskets of fruit on their head, the "patty man" walking his bicycle (the bike has long ago become unrideable) selling patties, the "jerk man" selling jerk pork, the ice cream man selling ice cream bars, tourists of every size shape, nationality and attire strolling to and fro, local youth playing football (soccer) on the beach, dominoes being played under the trees, politics being hotly debated, and more. I love the crystal clear calm water and white sand beach and breath taking sunsets.

Then after the sun sets, the night comes alive with live music at rotating venues, reggae, dancehall, mento and ska.

Of course, there is also wonderful West End (where I stay), now called "One Love Drive" with cliff divers at sunset, concerts at night and Miyard Music Bar keeping the music going all night long (and serving great Jamaican food 24/7: breadfruit, fritters, festival, saltfish, plantains and more).

I regret that some higglers appear to be out of control and I hope that the Negril authorities deal with them. When I was there just a few months ago I did not experience this problem, but I guess it also depends on where one is?

The best part about Jamaica is that there is somewhere and something for everyone. I learned on my first visit where we drove the entire circumference of the island, over the Blue Mtns and through cockpit country, that just when you think you've seen the most amazing sight, there is another one just around the corner.

Jamaica, to me, is a lot like one's family. Some parts embarrass you, annoy you and sometimes anger you, but you love them all and accept the flaws as part of being a family.

This trip we'll be visiting Negril, Treasure Beach, Port Antonio, Ocho Rios and maybe even Kingston. Each are different and all will be enjoyed. Maybe I'll see you there?

i think the higgler problem finds its roots in the all-inclusive tourism.

What came first? The Higgler or All Inclusive?

first there were a few tourists buying things from locals. sort of balanced. then the all inclusive started to grab everything, so what choice do the pple on the road have, other than still trying to sell, but now the tourists don't buy bec they get everything in the hotel. higgling is a logical consequence of this way of tourism. it is NOT like that in small scale areas and not like that in all other tourist destinations

There is a big difference in the pushiness of vendors between Treasure Beach and Negril.

It is an almost sure thing to get an uncomfortable level of pushiness out of some of the vendors. Persistence is understandable but making people uncomfortable IS ruining their tourism.

There will always be people who know the runnings and have friends and will keep going to Negril but for many of us it just is not worth it. Kind of like Mobay, have to pass thru sometimes but like to just pass thru asap and get back to Treasure Beach.

Yes Christine, we now have 2 beach boys in Frenchman's area really trying their best to woo and get what they can from the ladies hopefully these two will continue to be asked to leave the business areas they hang around like spiders with webs hoping to catch passing by female tourists.
I must admit it is a bit funny watching them in action but knowing their game and immorality it is a bit disturbing to see it going on.

".... 2 beach boys .... game and immorality ......" !!??

@ Seen - your choice of words are a bit disturbing to me. To even suggest that TB is anything like Negril! Everyone down on the beach (except only one I can think of) is local and none of them are nasty or disrespectful.

Where are you observing these "beach boys" from, how do you know that it is immoral, what do they say or do?

haven't seen any beach- boys yet, but ganja has been offered for sale in TB quite obviously...
a few years ago, the guest had to ask for it, rather than being offered... things change...

What is disturbing about the choice of words? Where is the suggestion that they were being nasty or disrespectful? The whole idea is not to allow the happenings in other areas to be replicated in TB; like 'rent-a-dread' or harassment of any kind.

To Beach Boys?, not to disturb but the fact is we are nowhere near Negril as far as Rent a dread situation however there are a two men who behave as such on Frenchman Beach and I applaud the business owners I've seen run them.

[edited by TB.Net]

How do I know it is immoral? When you play with a woman's heart only thinking of her pocket and you lie and say she's the only one, you are immoral. When you try to earn a living not by the sweat of your brow it is immoral.

I use the word game as if I sit back an hour or so over a meal and observe them perched like spiders with webs, most potential victims are smart enough not to pay them much mind and it is funny to watch the action of their attempts.

No, Treasure Beach is nothing like Negril and I hope we keep it that way.

Spooky Dude you are 100% with me on this one and overstand what I am trying to convey.

Memories of a trip to Negril with wife and children. Kids were not affected by the local that was publicly assisting a couple of young ladies from foreign poolside, more amused. I was taken aback when we were strolling the main when wife was offered full assistance, with me beside her. Dissing me, a seeming whitey from farin, and pitching a hook to her sametime.

Ex and kids could walk town and be respected and protected, mostly. In Tb for sure.

I work with some of the Valentinos that foreign ladies may meet, pickaxe and shovel work not late night stuff. Basically good, sensible and strong young people that weave between the antics of Brer 'Nancy, the guidance of the King James Bible and the memories of licks for straying from community expectations.


I hope they are not among the ones that have forgotten the subtletly of seduction. No not condoning the art, I'm a heart man myself.

I agree with asking those who refuse to be cool to move on. It's called loitering with clumsy intent. But please, no security patrols, leave it to our own eyes and ears.

I still enjoy a trip to Negril. There is much to learn from their evolution.

TB.net found it in the best interest to edit my factual comment that was in no way offensive. This is after all a place to share good and positive news on the community.

Maybe I can restate it in a better way and stay on topic. After all, drowning isn't good but this is a good forum to warn people of our sometimes rough seas, true?

Treasure Beach surely doesn't have anything near the problems of Negril when it comes to "Beach Boys" or "Rent A Dread". That said there are at present 2 males attempting this that we are daily seeing on our beaches mostly at Frenchmans.

The moral of the story is if you meet someone on holiday make sure the relationship is not one sided or financially abusive. I hope this is more acceptable to TB.net

Have to agree with Seen re beach boys, playing with women's hearts, pretending they are on the level etc. when they are just out for their own ends. Have to say though I think the number is a lot higher than two. I could list as many names as I have fingers and toes.