Garwin Davis, Sunday Gleaner Writer

OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:

The owners and operators of the Ocho Rios-based Best Travel, a destination management tour company run by Italian nationals, say they are deeply concerned that smear tactics are being used by rival companies to prevent them from doing business in Jamaica.

They are pointing to allegations made by the tour companies Holiday Services, Caribic Vacations and Tropical Tours, accusing Best Travel of taking away business while operating illegally in Jamaica.

"The allegations are baseless and smack of racism," said Sabrina Cesolini-Russell, part owner of Best Travel. "I am married to a Jamaican and have a child who was born in this country," she said. "I also have a work permit and my company is registered with the Jamaica Tourist Board.

Allegations

"It is frightening that people can just get up and make this allegation about our company without any thought of the damage and pain they have caused."

Holiday Services, Caribic Vacations and Tropical Tours have alleged that the operators of Best Travel have been using unfair trade practices to undercut their business, accusing them of bringing in no new business to Jamaica while making sure the bulk of money earned from the operations remains in overseas bank accounts. Best Travel is also alleged to be made up of the "Italian Mafiosi", with a mandate to control all tourism- related businesses originating in Italy and other parts of Europe.

"This is the part that I have a very serious problem with," explained Tiziana Censi, part owner of Best Travel. "Saying that someone is part of the Italian Mafiosi is just like saying someone is part of organised crime. It's the same as calling someone a Nazi. It is derogatory and has no business in a place like Jamaica."

Added he: "Competition is something that can be very healthy... Instead of trying to smear us and to put us in a bad light with our overseas and local partners, those companies making the allegations would be better served trying to offer the best service possible to their clients. That is what we are busy doing."

Destination management companies offer ground transportation and pick-ups for hotels and major attractions locally. Denton Edwards, director of tourism relations in the Ministry of Tourism, said as far as he is aware, Best Travel has fulfilled all of the relevant licensing agreements and that the company and its operators have been given the green light to conduct business in Jamaica.

In an article in last Wednesday's Hospitality Jamaica, entitled "Italian Mafiosi undercutting local companies" it was alleged that the operators of Best Travel and Hola Tours have been using unfair tactics to take away business from local companies. We have seen nothing by way of evidence to support these allegations and would like to apologise to both companies for any embarrassment they may have experienced.