As a Grenadian myself, I notice is very common to hear some of my people talking anti-tourism and promoting only pro-agriculture for development, without realising that the tourism industry in the south of the island is a profitable business venture for those who are involved in the industry.
Apart from the hotel owners and employees in the industry, taxi drivers and other business people in St George’s are benefiting financially too. They are making a decent living in tourism.
However, it is not expected that the tourism industry will decline, as the Caribbean region becomes the most attractive place for travelers who want to enjoy tropical weather and safety. Actually, the industry will continue to grow rapidly, as the export market for traditional agriculture product keeps on declining.
It is very important that, whenever visitors from North America and Europe visit Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, they must be protected and treated with respect because they are strangers to our land and culture.
In addition, even though they might be visiting for various reasons that we are not sure about, we must give them the good courtesy treatment. It is important for us to know, that we are responsible for their safety, once they are allowed to enter the country through the legal immigration process.
There is one thing we can boast about as a people. We are not accustomed to hearing bad news in the foreign press about Grenada in terms of crime. Our crime rate is very low, in comparison with our Caribbean neighbours to the north and south of us.
Presently, we are getting bad press coverage from the United States media, since a young senseless male driver of a vehicle killed Canadian woman who resided in Grenada and worked as professional. The bad press news reports in the American media escalated due to the brutal attack and murder of an American woman on a beach resort in St David parish.
However, the good news is that a young man, who is the main suspect of the brutal and savage crime, turned himself in to the police and he is now charged for the murder.
The murder of the two women is strange to our Grenadians culture. We are very warm welcoming people towards to visitors.
We do not have a history of killing strangers.
As Grenadians, we are hurting when we see the negative news report about our country in the American media. In addition, although some citizens are asking to reinstate the death penalty, I personally, do not support their call for capital punishment.
I believe that we can stop senseless violent killing with a vigilant approach. If we speak with one voice against violent criminals and give them long prison sentences, the crime rate will remain very low.
If we reinstate capital punishment, it is obvious that lower class citizens who commit murder will be executed. We all know that the poorer class of people is the most vulnerable and money talks in Caribbean society. Those who have money can always buy influential people within society.
Additionally, it will be very good if young educated Grenadians get involved in politics and community development activities. With their involvement, they can help the other young people to live a respectable and meaningful life within society.
All those Grenadians who are calling the radio programmes and saying bring back the death penalty, I am sure that if their close family and friends commit murder and were put on death row, they will change their minds about reinstating the death penalty. I believe we can fight against violent crime with vigilance and good community spirit. We must always remember that we have the spirit of revolution since the days of Julian Fedon. If we remain vigilant, we can defeat violent crime in society.
Caribbean News Now