Desmond Henry TREASURE BEACH:
AS I suspect almost everyone will be writing or talking politics this week, I thought I would concentrate on things more sustainable even long after the elections are over. Here, on the South Coast, three important developments are about to happen which speak well to our own understanding and development, well into the future.
The first is perhaps less permanent in nature than the other two, but has a lot to do with how we perceive and manage the spaces around us in the name of development. It has to do with the Third Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEX) on all aspects of sustainable tourism developments in this part of the world. It takes place at the Half Moon Beach Club between October 17-21. Media writers, producers and editors are invited not just to attend but to submit for competitive awards anything they have produced dealing with the business, economic, or social aspects of sustainable tourism in the region. This is the third coming together of its kind in the region and, if nothing else, allows for a honest portrayal of how much our regional media know, or do not know, about the business of sustainable tourism.
At last year's meeting, for example, there was a young female editor from one of the Lesser Antilles who insisted that her paper's attempt to discourage the development of golf courses in her island was justified on the grounds of environmental destruction. When it was pointed out to her that, by nature, golf courses are regarded as some of the most environmentally enhancing hospitality developments for any area, she became somewhat more accommodating even if not fully convinced. Not only that, golf courses as lifestyle vacation attractions, provide top quality accommodations and dining, job security in management, marketing, housekeeping, grounds keeping and all the other aspects of regular outdoor grooming and beautification. Well-managed golf courses have no equal in artistic, environmental and participative fulfilment.
The conference will also offer awards to practising journalists who submit their material for evaluation. In the previous two years some 30 journalists and media workers have already received awards for the work they have submitted. TVJ's Carol Francis received an award for her news stories detailing the damage to the coral reef of Negril by non-sustainable developments. Major sponsors in this event are the Sandals Group and Air Jamaica who are rightly typing the region's hospitality growth and development to a fuller appreciation by all of everyone's responsibilities.
The second ripple again involves Sandals, but in another unique new way. Quite recently the group's chairman, Butch Stewart, announced their adoption of The Astra Country Inn in Mandeville. This development seems quite logical.
Sandals is about to get substantially more involved in South Coast hospitality development through the operation of its 300-plus room hotel now under construction in White House. When it opens in the latter part of next year, it will literally bring to its guests a range of choices from Jamaica's most pristine region. No one else has been aware of, and has constantly promoted these natural areas than those operating through Countrystyle and Community Tourism. The coming together is a natural.
In addition to that, Country-style through its principal spokespersons Diana McIntyre Pike, Barry Bonitto and myself have been relentlessly pursuing the elements of individual and community hospitality training in the regions comprising the South Coast.
Its institute has already graduated in excess of 1,000 young men and women in the varying skills of hospitality craft, and have fitted out many for jobs here and overseas.
The coming together of Sandals and Astra will further this development considerably, and help to equip now unskilled hands in the region either as workers in the sector or as providers of attraction, entertainment, crafts, souvenirs, tour guides or other hospitality suppliers in their communities.
The final ripple is in the making, and will be the source of a major news development when it is finalised. Chris Blackwell is about to consolidate all his Island Outposts interest in Jamaica under one management roof, to be run by Jason Henzel of Jakes in Treasure Beach.
Those who are aware know that Blackwell has interests in Jakes, the Caves in Negril, Golden Eye in Oracabessa and Strawberry Hills in St. Andrew. When the consolidation occurs it will bring a total of some 60 rooms into the special South-Coast-type niche market messaging. A full announcement is being prepared for later in the year when details of the consolidation will be spelt out.
This is great news for us on the South Coast and justifies all that we have been putting into Community Tourism in the past and now.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
The writing on the wall is not a forgery.
Desmond Henry is a marketing strategist based in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth.
