brief description
Community tourism development presents Jamaica with a major opportunity to advance its goals of an inclusive tourism sector that contributes to the nation’s economic and social development. Jamaica has a mosaic of communities that can offer exciting and distinctive natural, heritage and cultural experiences well matched to this experiential market trend. To take advantage of this opportunity, Jamaica commissioned the development of a national Community Tourism Policy and Strategy.
key insights
Community-based tourism has become one of the sector’s fastest growing segments globally, as new generations of travelers seek more meaningful experiences from their leisure time. These avid travelers are searching for much more than sun, sea and sand; they desire to immerse themselves in the nature, heritage and cultural experiences of the destinations they visit. Many are eager to venture into communities to interact with citizens in their normal environment. Jamaica has some of the world’s most beautiful natural settings and a rich history and culture that make us uniquely poised to take full advantage of this growing trend in community tourism.
additional information
The Community Tourism Policy and Strategy was funded under the Jamaica Social Investment Fund- Rural Enterprise Development Initiative (JSIF-REDI) and led by the Ministry of Tourism & Entertainment (MTE). The Technical Committee that supported the effort included representatives from MTE, JSIF-REDI, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), the Social Development Commission (SDC), the Rural Agriculture Development Authority (RADA), the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), the Jamaica Promotion Corporation (JAMPRO), the Bureau Women’s Affairs (BWA), and the Forestry Department. In addition the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation in Agriculture (IICA) also sits on the Technical Committee.
