Attracting Eco-tourism Investment to the South Coast of Jamaica

The International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) has branded Jamaica as the Home of Community Tourism internationally and supported the mission and vision of the Countrystyle Community Tourism Network/Villages as Businesses in developing the potential of community entrepreneurs through community tourism while protecting their natural environment, heritage and culture. Eco-tourism is one of the main niche markets that internationally attracts upscale visitors and can assist communities on the south coast of Jamaica to earn more income within their own environment.

“We support the South Coast Sustainable Development plan for Jamaica which protects the natural environment, heritage and cultural as a model for responsible tourism internationally which has the most amazing natural attractions and cays. There was a commitment from the government with the support of JAMPRO to seek the right investors for the area which protects the natural resources and focusing on the niche market of eco-tourism as is done in other Caribbean islands like Costa Rica, Panama, and Belize which will attract upscale tourism business.”

Jamaica’s main environmentalists have expressed caution and reservation regarding the government’s proposed plans for Goat Island, as they have also done for Font Hill and the Canoe Valley. The rationale is clear; damage to any of these protected areas will seriously affect our local natural resources, resulting in unsustainable development.

“We are recommending that a concerted investment drive be made by JAMPRO, the Ministry of Tourism and private sector leaders to focus on identifying and promoting ecotourism investment for the areas which are best suited for this.”

“We cannot take the approach of just criticizing the government for the potential Chinese investment. We need to provide recommendations of alternative ways and means of developing the south coast area with it cays to enable the country and its people to earn more income. It is a unique area and can become an international model for eco-tourism development, which is why the South Coast Sustainable Development plan was originally undertaken.”

“We are requesting the government together with stakeholders on the south coast to develop a plan to invite bids for investors from the Jamaican Diaspora and others, which should include site visits and discussions and incorporate the South Coast Sustainable Development plan. This is a recommended approach that can lead to sustainable tourism development which inherently takes into account the protection of our island’s rich biodiversity for generations to come.”