As Jamaica emerges from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism trade is exhibiting promising indicators of restoration. With its distinctive cultural heritage, gorgeous pure landscapes, and welcoming environment, Jamaica is as soon as once more turning into a high vacation spot for vacationers in search of unforgettable experiences within the Caribbean.
Amongst Jamaica’s many gems, Treasure Seashore stands out as a hidden paradise ready to be found by vacationers in search of genuine experiences off the overwhelmed path. Tucked away on the island’s south coast, Treasure Seashore embodies the essence of Jamaican hospitality and attraction. With its pristine seashores, vibrant native tradition, an array of family-run enterprises, and eco-friendly lodging, Treasure Seashore presents a glimpse into the center and soul of Jamaica. This quaint village is the proper focus for exploring the nation’s post-pandemic tourism revival via Neighborhood-Based mostly Tourism.
In pre-pandemic Jamaica, the Treasure Seashore group emerged as a vacation spot with nice financial promise. As reported by the Jamaica Data Service, Treasure Seashore contributed roughly US$82.4 million to Jamaica’s tourism earnings in 2015. This worthy contribution urged authorities funding the next yr. David Dobson, the Ministry’s Chief Technical Director shares some insights.
“In 2016, the realm of Treasure Seashore, St. Elizabeth was earmarked as a pilot challenge within the drive to additional develop group tourism throughout the island. In help of this program at the moment, the group obtained an injection of JMD$48 million from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) to assist fund its improvement initiatives.”
Following the federal government’s funding in 2016, Treasure Seashore’s upward trajectory as a tourism hotspot gained momentum, paving the way in which for the group’s rise as a sought-after vacation spot post-pandemic. As infrastructure and improvement initiatives took root, Treasure Seashore started to draw consideration not just for its pure magnificence but additionally for its vibrant cultural scene.
Among the many highlights of this transformation is the Calabash Worldwide Literary Pageant, which has change into the crown jewel of Treasure Seashore’s tourism calendar. Held biennially at The Jake’s Resort in Might, this occasion, famend worldwide, not solely showcases the literary prowess of Jamaica but additionally serves as a testomony to the group’s resilience and creativity within the face of adversity.
Since its inception in 2001, this celebration of literature has advanced right into a beacon of cultural significance, drawing authors, poets, and avid readers from far and broad to delight in its literary splendor. After the 2018 staging, the biennial pageant was canceled in 2020 and 2022 as a result of coronavirus pandemic however returned with a bang in 2023. Even American A-list celebrity Angelina Jolie and our very personal dub poet Mutabaruka had been in attendance and photographed collectively at this fifteenth staging.
Justine Henzell, the pageant’s producer, shares her expertise of the 2023 Calabash Literary Pageant and displays on the selections made to make sure its security amidst the continuing pandemic. By returning to the tried and true system from 2018, Calabash maintained its distinctive outside setting by the ocean, offering a protected and wholesome atmosphere for attendees. The aim was easy: to prioritize group well-being and make sure that everybody felt comfy and guarded.
“2023 was an enormous success. There was lots of pent-up demand for Calabash, folks positively missed it. That they had missed being collectively in particular person. The takeaway I had from Calabash 2023 was simply an amazing sense of pleasure from the viewers. They had been simply so completely happy to be again.”
The demand for lodging throughout Calabash weekends is so excessive that patrons usually e-book their stays and pay deposits two years upfront for the upcoming occasion. Nonetheless, when Calabash 2020 and 2022 needed to be canceled, these preparations had been honored however postponed to 2023 when Calabash returned.
David Dobson, the Ministry of Tourism’s Chief Technical Director shared that, “In 2023, the [Calabash International Literary] pageant was supported by over 3000 patrons from all around the world.”
With this inflow of tourists flocking to partake within the pageant in 2023, the occasion not solely served as a celebration of literature but additionally a catalyst for financial prosperity throughout the small group of Treasure Seashore. As these guests descended upon the village, they infused vitality into the native economic system.
In Henzell’s phrases, “The economic system of Treasure Seashore is positively impacted each time we now have a pageant. Not simply the lodging, however clearly folks eat in eating places, they go on boat journeys, they purchase crafts.”
The pageant’s world attraction not solely enriched the cultural cloth of Treasure Seashore but additionally supplied a considerable financial increase, demonstrating the profound affect of cultural tourism on group improvement.
This mutually useful relationship between the Calabash Worldwide Literary Pageant and Treasure Seashore underscores the importance of group help in fostering cultural tourism. Certainly, the pageant’s success hinges upon the generosity and cooperation of the native residents, who generously supply their assets and hospitality to make sure its clean operation.
“We obtain a lot help in sort, which is why we’re capable of placed on the pageant. Not one of the folks that work at Calabash receives a commission, the venue is free, the Jake’s staff is paid by Jake’s, not Calabash.”
Justine Henzell, the pageant’s producer, marvels on the constant outpouring of affection, positivity, and help the occasion receives. She revealed that among the many volunteer staff are herself and Kwame Dawes, Calabash’s Co-founder and Inventive Director.
“The authors that come don’t obtain an honorarium. They get airfare, lodging, and a per diem which helps with their meals however they don’t get a studying payment. The pageant is free, so there’s no cost for admission however we fortunately settle for donations.”
In distinction to many tourism ventures on the island, the place earnings are likely to circulation elsewhere, Treasure Seashore stands out. Right here, nearly all of earnings generated throughout the spotlight of the tourism season on this quaint village are reinvested into community-based companies. This method not solely fosters community-based tourism but additionally positions Treasure Seashore as a shining instance of sustainable and inclusive tourism practices in post-pandemic Jamaica.
Treasure Seashore’s tourism resurgence aligns with broader traits shaping the Caribbean tourism panorama. With a rise in tourism arrivals, increasing tourism merchandise, and a rising emphasis on group participation, Treasure Seashore is poised to thrive within the post-pandemic period.
Trying forward, the following Calabash staging is about to happen in the summertime of 2025 from Might 23 to 25, promising one other enriching expertise for each locals and worldwide guests alike.
