One can hardly fault the very sensible and well-thought-through statement by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) on the need for all stakeholders to find common cause on the issue of beach access rights for all Jamaicans.

We expect that the courts, which are currently hearing competing arguments about the issue, will emerge as the best arbiter and will provide clarity for Jamaicans who are interested in reaching a fair, responsible, and legally sound resolution on which all parties can go forward.

Unfortunately, not every single person is seized of the necessity to arrive at a solution that works for everyone and in a way that protects our beaches for the enjoyment and enrichment of all Jamaicans.

In a general way, we can accept that Jamaica’s beaches belong to all the people. In this regard, no arrangement should be put in place that robs them of their patrimony.

At the same time, we know that if beaches are to be of maximum use to the populace, they have to be developed and maintained. This comes at a cost, and one must in good conscience ask who will bear this cost?

By some reckoning, Jamaica has an estimated 86 designated public bathing beaches and a number of hotel-affiliated ones. Some beaches are operated by the Government and others by private owners. In addition, there are designated fishing beaches used mostly by fishermen for their livelihood.

It is well known that the privately owned beaches are usually better developed and maintained, offering facilities such as changing rooms, restrooms, parking spaces, restaurants, security, landscaping, and sometimes with allowance for vendors to operate.

What is also well known is that many people opt to use private beaches but with no intention of paying for the facilities. If there are restrictions, there are always enough people with an agenda and a seemingly vested interest in crying foul on behalf of “oppressed people who are being robbed of their beach access rights”.

The truth is that we all know that some of our people indulge in wanton harassment of visitors, resulting in many staying away and opting for resorts where they can be safe, sometimes abandoning Jamaica as a preferred tourist destination. That is cutting off our nose to spite our face.

The JHTA has adopted a position which balances both sides of the argument, calling on all stakeholders to unite behind a framework that ensures safe, equitable, and well-managed access to Jamaica’s most treasured natural asset.

“The question before Jamaica is not whether Jamaicans and visitors alike should access our beaches — they absolutely should,” said Mr Christopher Jarrett, president of the JHTA. “The question is how we enable access in a manner that protects our people, our visitors, and our coastlines.”

Mr Jarrett is right in insisting that: “We must create a positive and safe experience for everyone, while we continue to support and build the local businesses that rely on a successful and safe tourism industry.”

Access to beaches must be controlled and properly managed or they will fall prey to criminal activity and unsafe conditions, becoming of use to neither fish nor fowl, not to the public nor to visitors.

Jamaica’s beaches are for the thousands of direct and indirect workers, farmers, artisans, and of course, our investors. Let good sense prevail.