Jamaica to crackdown on street vendors

Jamaica Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, has vowed to crackdown on overaggressive street vendors, especially in the new cruise port of Falmouth, where cruise passengers already have complained about harassment. He said any vendors found harassing tourists would face strict penalties.

New regulations are already in effect, following meetings in Falmouth between town officials and craft vendors. Under these new regulations vendors now must register with the Trelawny Parish Council if they want to sell their goods in Falmouth when ships are in port, and registration will be restricted to Trelawny-based craft vendors. Each vendor must pay between $23 and $28 to register and must carry a valid ID and proof of address.

In addition, there will be a limit of 75 vendors on the cruise pier and 20-25 at Water Square in town when a ship is in port. They will be rotated on a regular basis.

Previously, vendors had to register with local craft associations but outsiders from neighbouring parishes were reportedly able to infiltrate the territory of legitimate vendors.

Helen Johnston