For clients looking for an alternative to all-inclusive travel, community tourism thrives on the Jamaica’s laidback south coast with boutique hotels and authentic local experiences.
A colourful turquoise boat with orange and pink accents on the outskirts of town reads “Welcome to Treasure Beach, Home of Community Tourism.” The sign sets the tone for what to expect in the unassuming area on Jamaica’s south coast. As there are no high-rise buildings in sight, the scene is noticeably different from the bustling developed areas in Jamaica lined with all-inclusive resort chains, writes Managing Editor Ann Ruppenstein in the latest print issue of Travel Courier.
The vibe is more authentic, more laidback and intentionally more locally-minded. In fact, the community of Treasure Beach voted not to have its density restrictions lifted in order to protect itself from large-scale development.
“Calling the area Treasure Beach, the home of community tourism, the reason I wanted that tagline is that I want the message to be clear to developers: you can come in but you need to respect what we do here,” explains Jason Henzell, the owner of Jakes Resort and a well-known advocate for the region. “We earned that tagline, we fought for that tagline. It’s real, it’s seeped in hard work and lobbying. I hope they never lift the restrictions.”
For the full story, check out the latest issue of TRAVEL COURIER.
Tags: Community Tourism, Jamaica
