ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada (CMC):

The Grenada Government yesterday announced that it would not prevent several cruise ships carrying gay passengers from docking at Port St. George over the next few months.

A statement from the Ministry of Tourism says there has been a negative fallout as a result of reports in the foreign press suggesting that the country was moving to ban gay cruises to the island.

Cruise liners Queen Mary 2 and Legend of the Seas have scheduled cruises with gay passengers to several Caribbean countries, including Grenada, in December, January, February and March.

Officials are particularly upset about a headline appearing in the online edition of the Toronto Star newspaper, which says 'Grenada considering ban on gay cruises'.

Adverse reactions

"The Ministry of Tourism views with concern the recent negative and adverse reactions being promoted in some sections of the media on the perspective visit of homosexual visitors to our island," said the statement read by Permanent Secretary Arlene Buckmire-Outram on Wednesday, following several days of consultations on the matter involving tourism officials and various stakeholders.

"Of equal concern are the negative reports which have now appeared in the foreign press stating that Grenada has barred gay cruises from docking in our island," said Buckmire-Outram.

Tourism Minister Dr. Clarice Modeste Curwin also complained that inaccurate reports suggesting that Grenada was planning to ban gay cruises to the island have led to a number of cancellations at local hotels.

Dr. Modeste told reporters that persons have also protested by dispatching letters to the Canadian Government asking that country to cut aid to St. George's.

"As a result of this a number of hotels have had cancellations and this does not augur well for our tourism sector," the statement said.