‘Tourists visit regular’

Shopkeepers in Accompong, St Elizabeth, say they benefit a great deal when tourists visit the community.

Dorcie Huggins, 39, told THE CENTRAL STAR that she has two shops in Accompong.

"When tourists roun here, me bar get nuff sales and suh, yeah man. And we have schoolchildren also that come, yeah, so you know seh dem come and buy," she said.

"I also have a little cookshop, too, so, you know, yuh have the likkle food, like rice and chicken, cow skin, cow head. You know, you hear what you customers want, so you try to present it," the Accompong-born-and-bred resident said.

Listening to customers' demands is a big deal in Accompong because shops and bars are closely situated. Dorcie's sister, 42-year-old Marcia, has a shop with similar products just a little walk away.

"I have my shop a good while now. You can come and get yuh likkle juice and ting. Me nuh really watch competition. Me just focus pon wah di customers dem a ask fa and supply it. Yuh know, tourist come and buy a likkle cold soda or a cold beer and so forth."

Further up the road, 42-year-old Elroy Rowe has a bar. He told THE CENTRAL STAR that despite many other bars being on the same road and offering the same things, he's not looking to relocate.

"I've been living here for over 40 years now. Here suh just peaceful, and the people dem jus friendly. The last time somebody up here dead ... mi nuh memba, over 20-odd years, and a nuh really seh a violence. Plus, tourists visit regular. Regular!"

- R.L.