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Ladies from
the Bowden
Pen Farmer’s
Association display
traditional Jamaica
meals.
THE JAMAICA SOCIAL INVESTMENT FUND
INNOVATORS IN
COMMUNITY TOURISM
By Beverly Stewart,
Tourism Specialist, JSIF
Many Jamaicans will know that toolkit developed under the JSIF-Rural Economic Development
Jamaica’s Community Tourism is Initiative (REDI) in collaboration with the Tourism Product
as old as Jamaica’s tourism itself; starting with visitors coming Development Company (TPDCO) with input from other industry
to the island on banana boats, venturing into communities stakeholders, states that the vision for Jamaica’s Community
with the desire to immerse themselves in the nature, heritage Tourism is, “An invigorated tourism sector in communities that
and cultural experiences of this island paradise. Community enriches the quality of life through social, cultural, economic
Tourism continued to grow with the coining of the term by and environmental benefits, provides sustainable livelihoods
former Director of Tourism Desmond Henry, who hailed from and strengthens Jamaica’s national policy values and interests.”
Treasure Beach in St. Elizabeth and with the work of Diana
McIntyre-Pike O.D., through her Countrystyle Community Through the World Bank/Government of Jamaica funded REDI
Tourism Network. project, the Jamaica Social Investment Fund has propelled
Today, Community Tourism has evolved into a catalyst that Community Tourism to another dimension, through its
will allow the rural population, entrepreneurs and small traders involvement in the preparation of a Community Tourism Policy
within the population, to realize the potential that tourism and Strategy, which is intended to guide and strengthen the
offers. The aim is to position Tourism Development in Jamaica, development of this form of tourism in the years to come. This
for further sustainable economic growth in communities. policy does not only establish a clear commitment to fostering
The Handbook for Community Tourism Enterprises (2017), a positive community involvement in tourism, but it also sets
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