St Elizabeth moots tourism development

... Thrust focuses on bed and breakfasts, small properties

Mark Titus, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Positioned as a serious contender as the leading events-tourism destination in Jamaica, stakeholders in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, are moving to improve the bed-and-breakfast accommodations, to capitalise on gains made over the years.

Jason Henzell, chairman of Breds, The Treasure Beach Foundation, said the villa market is growing, and investments are going into high-end facilities, so the organisation is developing a programme to help small properties improve their packages.

"We tend to talk about guest houses, but the overseas visitor knows nothing about guest houses. It must either be a bed and breakfast, hotel or a villa. So it is important that the bed-and-breakfast player gets some assistance to get ready for this type of market."

According to treasurebeach.net, there are some 51 tourist accommodations in the community. However, a breakdown was not offered.

A bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Typically, bed and breakfasts are private homes with fewer than 10 bedrooms available for commercial use. The concept differs throughout the world.

Welcomed Improvement

Dennis Decouza, a bed-and-breakfast operator in the area, says he has been surviving on repeat customers, especially during the recession.

"Any improvement to increase business for the smaller players will certainly be welcome, because the people that are getting most of the business now are the villas," he said. "What is needed at this time is more marketing to ensure that all the businesses get a slice of the cake."

The enchanting Treasure Beach community is guarded by inviting black-sand beaches, and hosts several literary and cultural festivals, as well as sporting events.

The second phase of construction for an international sporting complex, valued at some $120 million, is now under way.

"It is our biggest project yet, and is a demonstration of how serious we are about developing a serious sports-tourism product. But if we are going to promote sports tourism, the teams, students and coaches are going to want to stay somewhere that is affordable or at least have options," said Henzell.

A September 10 opening date is being targeted for the facility, which will consist of four football fields and three cricket pitches in this phase, while the tennis, basketball and netball courts, as well as a family picnic area and community centre, will be completed afterwards.