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by pltm
(PLTM) - Tourists who visit Anegada are being harassed, and District Nine Representative, the Honourable Dr. Hubert O’Neal is pleading with those responsible to stop.
In an address to the House of Assembly (HoA) yesterday, September 20, Dr. O’Neal explained that the tourism industry on the Island is recovering, but the practice of solicitation and harassment by restaurant owners is a threat to the revival of the sector.
He explained the details of these harassment allegations, telling the HoA that “there is a situation where the tourists that are going to Anegada are being harassed. Unfortunately, they’re being harassed.”
This “vexing issue” he says, occurs from the time the tourists arrive at the moor.
“Before they can tie up at the moor, someone comes in a dinghy and they are solicited for everything,” he stated.
The services being forced on the visitors, he said, range from garbage disposal to guide services.
This practice, Hon. Dr. O’Neal said, is being ordained by restaurant owners.
“They’re also harassing and soliciting to direct them as to which taxi operator to use…things like that,” he disclosed, adding, “This is not good for our tourism product.”
Such practice, he reflected, was once present in Virgin Gorda; however, he revealed that through the intervention of the Tourist Board it ceased, but it is now making an appearance in Anegada.
“It is affecting, and I’m afraid it may affect what Anegada has to offer our visitors coming there,” he voiced, further sharing that “they also badmouth the other restaurant owners…saying their food is bad.”
He made a plea for those guilty of such behavior to stop, as it is affecting business on the island.
The District Representative reminded that it would affect their business in the long run, because if the visitors “feel threatened and harassed, they won’t come back.”
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