Western Bureau:

Former Prime Minister Edward Seaga says Negril's small accommodations sector is in crisis and could face a possible wipeout, as it is being rendered uncompetitive by the lower rates offered through the large Spanish-owned hotels.

Seaga was speaking during the Negril Chamber of Commerce gala celebrations on Saturday night.

"Tourism has always faced a crisis in terms of the success of small hotels," he said. "Negril, as part of its brand that remains, is well known for having a lot of small hotels and the crisis that they have faced is to survive at rates that would make them successful. With the advent of the Spanish hotels, rates have been decreased."