Lunch at Billy Kerr's Grassy Park
A community-based food and hospitality experience highlighted in the field programme.
Community Tourism — “The Way Forward” — Page 3
Negril Chamber of Commerce Community Guide Training Programme
September 8–17, 2003 • Historical Programme Page 3
Market Trends
The original programme identified several tourism trends: rapid growth in travel, increasing popularity of vacations in natural areas, dissatisfaction with simplistic travel products, growing interest in educational travel, and concern about the loss of wildlife and authentic local cultures.
Target Markets for Community Tourism
The training material used the slogan “where the beach ends, our country life begins...” and identified target groups including senior travelers, study and research groups, universities and colleges, church organizations, botanists, environmentalists, nature lovers, ornithologists, independent travelers, Caribbean people at home and abroad, and socially conscious groups.
Valley View from Waterworks Nature Reserve
The training programme connected community tourism with natural attractions and environmental stewardship.
Waterworks Nature Reserve Pool
Nature-based experiences were part of the South Coast study tour.
Conclusion
The programme presented Community Tourism marketing as a way forward through an integrated approach to development that could improve quality of life in both resort and rural communities. It emphasized authentic local experiences, friendships between visitors and residents, and ecologically sustainable tourism.
Be Clean... Be Green!