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International Community Tourism Building Communities As Businesses Conference a Success

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Mandeville, Jamaica, W.I. November 30, 2018. The recently held International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) International Community Tourism Conference themed: Building Communities as Businesses, was staged at Mona Visitor’s Lodge, UWI, Mona, November 12-15, 2018 in Jamaica. The four-day event commemorates 2018 as the ‘International Year of Community Tourism & Peace in collaboration with Countrystyle Villages as Businesses’ which represents 40 years of Community Tourism.

The well-organized international conference was Chaired by Mrs. Diana McIntyre-Pike, President, Countrystyle Villages as Businesses and IIPT Caribbean and Co-chaired by Mrs. Gillian Rowlands, Vice President IIPT Caribbean, Master of Ceremonies and Mrs. Valerie Dixon, VP Countrystyle Villages as Businesses. The Conference was supported by title sponsors Compete Caribbean and Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), representing Caribbean governments. The International Conference was presented by IIPT International Community Tourism Network in association with Countrystyle Villages as Businesses, The University of the West Indies Open Campus, Making Connections Work Ltd UK, Diaspora Connect 2022, YES Foundation, Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Livelihoods, National Best Communities Foundation and The UWI Mona Tourism Society.

Numerous case studies were showcased and community representative presenters, some of which are mentioned here: Barbados Community Tourism Network, Lopinot Countrystyle Community Tourism Network (Trinidad), Beeston Spring (Westmoreland), Manchester Peace Coalition (An IIPT endorsed project), Treasure Beach (First Village Home of Community Tourism), Marcus Garvey & Taino Heritage (Mandeville & Resource Village), Rastafari Indigenous Village and Charles Town Maroon Village (Portland). Displays of Villages as Businesses products were represented by Orange Bay, Beeston Spring, and Kitson Town, Resource Village and others which featured Agri-tourism Arts & Craft, Wellness & Music.

Outstanding presentations were well received from UWI lecturers Dr Carolyn Hayle, Dr. K’adamawe K’nife and Professor Ian Boxill, Vice Principal UWI and Chairman Countrystyle Villages as Businesses. Compete Caribbean/Caribbean Tourism Organization shared their community-based/sustainable tourism programme for the Caribbean region.  Coldwell Bankers one of the main sponsors, Charles Town Maroon Council, Treasure Beach Community Tourism displays were just a few examples on exhibit.

Dr. Louis D’Amore, Founder & President International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) was the Opening speaker. His presence was impactful because he chose to attend the International Conference in Jamaica instead of the highly acclaimed World Travel Market in London.  Days before the IIPT International Community Tourism Conference, Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett was awarded the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) “Champions in Challenge” Award honouring leaders who have overcome exceptional challenges exhibiting leadership in their words & deeds on November 8, 2018 in London.

Dr Luz Longsworth, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UWI Open Campus gave the official welcome to the Conference where she shared their commitment to community tourism in partnership with the Countrystyle Academy for Community Tourism (ACT) with the Community Tourism Hospitality Entrepreneurship training programme and other initiatives for educating communities in Jamaica and the Caribbean region.

The Conference Welcome Reception was sponsored by Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston, which featured Theo Chambers, CEO, Panacarib Business Solutions and guest speaker Alexander Pike, General Manager, the new R Hotel in Kingston who shared the proposed Community Tourism programme for Kingston.

Community Tourism pioneer, Diana McIntyre-Pike’s opening statement called on communities to become independent through entrepreneurship, education and training.  Community lifestyle experiences, ‘pick a project and ‘adopt a project’ adds value to visitor experiences. “People don’t want something set up for visitors, they want to enjoy us as Jamaican people.” She continued in saying “this conference was an important one to show the economic benefits of developing rural and urban communities as businesses to promote and attract investment opportunities for local entrepreneurs in their own environment through training and education, which we can provide from the Academy for Community Tourism (ACT) in partnership with the UWI Open Campus.”  She concluded in thanking the UWI Open Campus for granting the Community Tourism Hospitality Entrepreneurship training programme accreditation by UWI Open Campus.

During the early part of his speech, Dr. D’Amore took the opportunity to highlight Diana McIntyre-Pike’s illustrious achievements in Community Tourism, reflecting on how she branded ‘community tourism’ along with her late Community Tourism partner Desmond Henry. He spoke of her numerous awards totalling over 30 some which include appointment by the Jamaican government to the Order of Distinction for Tourism and Community Service, Virgin Holiday Responsible Tourism Award at World Travel Market for the Best Personal Contribution to the world jointly with TUI and IIPT Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Man of Peace, Dr. D’Amore, recounted a history of wars and conflict on the planet noting “as of 2015 there were 50 ongoing conflicts in the world and it is estimated that 90% of current war casualties are civilians, the majority of whom are women and children”. Led by the conviction of no more wars, Dr. Amore has passionately engaged in activities to increase peace parks with the goal of 2000 international peace parks circling the earth by Nov. 11, 2020. Over the years, IIPT has continued to dedicate peace parks as a legacy at international conferences. He highlighted when Mandeville Jamaica became the first IIPT Peace Town with the first Peace Park in the Caribbean in 2013, along with Treasure Beach as the first IIPT Peace Village and Peace Park.

In conclusion Dr. D’Amore left the audience with this thought: “The tourism industry with its global presence has the potential to help preserve the world’s biodiversity as an integral part of God’s creation to facilitate the connection and positive interaction among all of God’s children particularly through Community Tourism.”

Key Conference Outcomes.
Audley Shaw, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries, presented a powerful speech as keynote on Tuesday, November 13. Diana McIntyre-Pike said on the same day in a Radio interview with Dervan Malcolm, “He said that he is going to facilitate getting everyone to work together across industries to get community tourism integrated in Jamaica.” The Minister told the audience comprised of tourism stalwarts, private sector businesses, university students and community tourism entrepreneurs: “Think seriously about it, organize properly and guess what? The potential for a proper well-structured system is right here in this room. ‘The journey of a thousand mile begins with the first step’ and you have taken that step long ago. Now you need a government that is going to give you the support that you need to make Community Tourism successful. Because of the wide range of my portfolio, I will use that as the point of departure to argue with the Minister of Tourism, the Prime Minister, with the Cabinet that we need a proper well-structured policy on Community Tourism. (Loud Applause) That is my commitment to you!”

The UWI Mona Tourism Society featured in their presentation their commitment to launch the UWI Community Tourism Network in 2019 with the support of Countrystyle Villages as Businesses and the IIPT International Community Tourism Network. They assisted the conference as volunteers, which enabled them to learn a great deal more about community tourism.

Community Tourism Awards were presented to over 50 Community Entrepreneurs in Jamaica and the Caribbean which also included Dr. Louis D’Amore and Minister Audley Shaw in appreciation for his community business development and commitment to community tourism. In addition, Sharon Parris-Chambers, Wellness Consultant & founder of One Love Call to Action Campaign awarded Dr. D’Amore and Diana McIntyre-Pike the One Love Peace Ambassador Pledge for their long-standing contributions to peace through Tourism. She asked the audience to take the pledge and encouraged them to go online to subscribe to the campaign. www.Facebook.com/Onelovecalltoactionpledge.com

In charting the way forward, the programme had an open session for questions and answers coordinated by Ambassador Aloun Assamba, Patron, Countrystyle Villages as Businesses and past Minister of Tourism in Jamaica.  The interactive session was recorded for further review. Papers and Pictures of the Conference will be posted to www.Accesscommunitytourism.com and www.peacetourism.org

It was proposed to organize a one-day public/private sector Community Tourism Retreat in 2019 to be facilitated by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries in association with the Ministry of Tourism, IIPT International Community Tourism Network, University of the West Indies and other community tourism organizations to pave the way forward for building communities as businesses.

Photo Caption: Left to Right: Dr Luz Longsworth, Pro Vice-Chancellor & Principal The UWI Open Campus, Dr. Louis D’Amore, Founder & President IIPT and Diana McIntyre-Pike, Founder/President Countrystyle Villages As Businesses & President IIPT Caribbean at the opening session of the International Community Tourism Conference at The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica November 12, 2018

Conference Source Documents:

Jamaica Tourism Minister meets with Louis D’Amore Founder of International Institute for Peace through Tourism

http://peacetourism.org/jamaica-tourism-minister-meets-with-louis-damore-founder-of-international-institute-for-peace-through-tourism/

 

The rebirth of luxury

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Located on two miles of the picturesque shores of Rose Hall, not far from the famous great house known for the legends of Annie Palmer, is Half Moon Jamaica, a resort that has offered over sixty years of premium hospitality service to both locals and foreigners.

But after so long being in existence, chairman of Half Moon Jamaica Guy Steuart III, having reminisced on the hotel’s legacy, started under the stewardship of his grandfather, decided it is one worth protecting, and so he embarked on ensuring the future of the world-renowned facility.

“Since opening our doors in 1954, Half Moon has been known for its warm Jamaican hospitality infused with superlative comfort and luxury, and now it is time for our legacy to be reborn,” Steuart is quoted in a release earlier this year. “It’s time to build anew and to continue to express ourselves in ways that are elegant in the 21st century.”

As a result, in March 2017 he announced that the hotel would undergo a transformation to the tune of US$75 million — to be unveiled this month, just in time for the 65th anniversary. Ground was broken in May of last year.

“This period of development will be an exciting time for Half Moon, which has been the chosen retreat for royalty, presidents and generations of loyal guests,” Steuart stated at that time.

“The resort is evolving so that the best of Half Moon will remain,” added General Manager Sandro Fabris, “and  this constant evolution is the key to a luxury hospitality experience.”

The development to which the chairman referred is the addition of a great house comprising  57 new guestrooms and suites and new welcome lobby with private check-in; these following the 2015 refurbishment of the award-winning Sugar Mill Restauran, golf course and Lester’s Café.  And to complete the  transformation of the resort, an adults-only swimming pool, two restaurants, three bars  and cafes are now included.

Fabris believes that the new additions, complemented by the property’s architecture and landscape, can only elevate the tourist experience and rekindle interest in the hotel.

On the outskirts of resort city Montego Bay and just seven miles from Sangster International Airport, Half Moon sits on 400 acres of beachfront property. Yet only 20 acres of the property have undergone renovation — to be called the “East Cove” — as part of the US$75-million master plan.

The resort still boasts another 153 hotel rooms  and 10 original West Cottages which one hosted the Queen, Prince Rainer of Monaco and US President John F Kennedy — not all at the same time. And it remains a boon for those with an active lifestyle  with facilities for watersport, tennis, golf, yoga, and equestrian, to name a few.

Still the hotel is adding new activities such as a music academy, dance studio and, possibly, a swimming academy. While announcing these at a press conference in Manahattan in March, Steuart disclosed that he had considered creating  two over-water-bungalows.

“With all the new offerings coming on board, we are further enhancing one of the best characteristics of the villas — the private atmosphere of each individual villa within a neighbourhood, complemented by nearby resort experiences, which are offered by Half Moon,” Steuart noted in  recent release which announced the renaming of its villas as Rose Hall Villas.

The existing 28 villas — available as four-,five-, six- and seven-bedroom accommodations — are an excellent choice for families and groups, with each featuring a living and dining room, outdoor living space and private pool, the travel news website states.  Each villa comes with a butler, housekeeper and a cook.

Asserting that formality has been lost in the luxury sector Fabris explained that, “What people want is top-quality; it’s the little attentions that people remember.”  With a 32 per cent repeat client rate, the general manager is hoping not only to wow clients with an unforgettable experience, but to have more coming back, even for the food.

As such Half Moon has revamped its menu, “reinventing Jamaican cusine” with dishes like breadfruit gnocchi in coconut milk, yam risotto, and oxtail ravioli in sweet potato dough.

“The transformation of Half Moon will refresh, reposition and ready the resort for the next 60-plus years and we are thrilled and we are thrilled to welcome future generations of guests as we extend our history,” Steuart said.

Half Moon will officially unveil its renovations this month.

Carnival in Jamaica gets a major boost

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Preparations are in top gear ahead of the inaugural staging of Carnival in Jamaica, which was recently launched at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston. The initiative is a project of the Sports and Entertainment Network of the Ministry of Tourism’s Linkages Network and has facilitated the developers and organizers of many of the biggest local carnival bands, brands and events to provide a well-packaged entertainment offering.

The Ministry of Tourism has vowed to use Carnival in Jamaica as the overarching brand to promote the carnival experience to visitors and locals alike through the aggressive marketing support from its agency, the Jamaica Tourist Board.

“It is our intention to make Carnival in Jamaica a national product that our visitors can look forward to experiencing each year. So, this will become an annual undertaking which will transform the carnival experience locally. It is our aim to have Carnival in Jamaica become on par with or even better than carnival in our sister Caribbean island of Trinidad, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Notting Hill in London or any of the other big carnivals in major capitals of the world,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett.

While the Ministry of Tourism is leading the initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, the Chairman of the Sports and Entertainment Network, Kamal Bankay, was quick to highlight that the event has received much support from key partners to ensure its success.

“I truly believe that Carnival in Jamaica is a powerful initiative as it has brought together all the Carnival bands for the first time to work together to create the biggest and best carnival experience Jamaica has ever seen. We are very grateful for the support received from all our partners, such as the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, the Mayor of Kingston and the NSWMA to facilitate City Branding reflective of the personality and identity of Kingston for promotional activities,” said Bankay.

The Network is also working closely with the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) and VIP Attractions to curate an exciting Carnival in Jamaica display inside the Arrivals/Immigration Hall to increase visitor interest in Carnival upon arrival at the NMIA and Sangster International Airport. Partnerships have also been forged with the Ministry of National Security to ensure a heightened security presence for traffic control and protecting pedestrians.

“As an island destination, we must unearth and develop the various musical experiences that make the visitors want to travel to the island to enjoy themselves and spend while doing so. That is why the Ministry of Tourism has been supporting events such as Reggae Sumfest, Rebel Salute and other reggae productions…that is also the reason why we have developed Carnival in Jamaica,” said Bartlett.

Carnival in Jamaica will be used as the umbrella brand for all carnival activities during the peak period of April 14 to 24, this year, making it a national product.

Visit visitjamaica.com/carnivalinjamaica for an overview of Carnival in Jamaica, where to stay, what to do, who to follow and a listing of Carnival in Jamaica events, provided by carnival stakeholders Bacchanal Jamaica, Xodus, Jamaica Carnival and Xaymaca.

PHOTO: (HM Carnival in Jamaica) KINGSTON, Jamaica; April 11, 2017 – Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (fourth right) and colleague Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia “Babsy” Grange (front row, center) pause for a photograph with partners and stakeholders of the Carnival in Jamaica initiative. (Front Row, from left) Managing Director, Dream Entertainment Limited, producers of Xodus Carnival, Scott Dunn; Senior Advisor to the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Lenford Salmon; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith; His Worship, the Mayor of Kingston, Delroy Williams; CEO of Jamaica Carnival, Julianne Lee; Director of Tourism, Paul Pennicook; Director, Bacchanal Jamaica, Michael Ammar; (Back row, from left) Director, Xaymaca International, Andrew Bellamy and  Chairman of the Sports and Entertainment Network of the Tourism Linkages Network, Kamal Bankay. The occasion was the recent launch of the Carnival in Jamaica initiative at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. The initiative has brought together all the Carnival bands for the first time to create the biggest and best carnival experience Jamaica has ever seen.  It will be marketed to visitors and locals alike through the Jamaica Tourist Board.