Jamaica's outrage at naked nuptials

No place for nudity on the Tourist Board's website

The Jamaican government has attacked a tourist resort's plans to hold nude weddings on St Valentines Day as "improper and offensive."

Eight couples are set to exchange vows in the altogether at Hedonism III - an offshoot of Hedonism II, a resort famous for its wild ways.

The board does not encourage any activity which would offend the Jamaican people

Tourist Board statement

But according to the official tourism board, "such a portrayal of the country is contrary to the image that we consider appropriate".

Tourism is one of Jamaica's biggest industries and its largest earner of foreign currency.

Tourism Minister Portia Simpson Miller told The Gleaner newspaper: "This type of activity is not in keeping with our marketing strategy for Jamaica."

Private matter

Jamaica has laws against public nudity, but it is not clear whether such laws would apply out of public view in a private resort.

Our coalition of Caribbean clergy are in a total shock

Caribbean-American Clergy Coalition

But despite its disapproval, the tourist board has no powers to intervene in the matter.

Superclubs - the company that owns the Hedonism resorts - says that despite the controversy, the naked nuptials will go ahead as planned.

But controversy over the nude ceremonies has already spread outside Jamaica.

'A despicable act'

On Wednesday, a dozen pastors from the Caribbean-American Clergy Coalition demonstrated outside the New York offices of the Jamaica Tourist Board.

"Our coalition of Caribbean clergy, most of whom are from Jamaica, are in a total shock that such a despicable act would take place" said the coalition in a letter to Jamaican Prime Minister PJ Patterson.

The coalition urged Mr Patterson to stop the nude weddings; so far the prime minister has not responded.