The essence of community tourism is the availability of rooms available in private homes.

I am told that in order to be considered appropriate by the Jamaica Tourist Board the venture must be registered and comply with their regulations.

Are these regulations published anywhere?

I imagine there are many thousands of rooms that could be utilised for this, I see no effort by any entity to encourage this process.

Contact TPDCo. and ask them about their Bed and Breakfast program.

Check out their website:

www.tpdco.org

Thanks Rebecca.

Here is a link to a very interesting article written in 2003 by chairperson of TPDCO projecting where Jamaica will be in 2013 if their goals are met.
http://jamaicagleaner.com/gleaner/20031123/business/business2.html


Of mention is the bed and breakfast program.
Ironically, something they envision for people with places having "3-6 empty rooms, for example if you are a returning resident whose children do not live with you" .

Returning residents generally have a pension or some means of support or they wouldn't have returned!

Not many Jamaicans have 3-6 SPARE rooms.

Would be interested to know what percentage of the goals (which were all admirable and would have really helped Jamaica) have been met, if any?

Curious what the TPDCO's take/stake is in Font Hill, as sustainability seems to be the goal and the rumored sell out for DEVELOPMENT not PRESERVATION, will forever wipe out a natural attraction of worldwide environmental significance??

Ready, I agree with you.

A sanitized version of what everyday Jamaicans live like, or only what the well to do (and very few) live like, isn't really community tourism or the point of view those type of guest are looking for who want to stay with a regular Jamaican family.

It also doesn't allow the masses to benefit.

Kind of like when the ministry of agriculture is out there pushing greenhouses down everyone's throat as if that is the solution to make farmers more money. Only the well off farmer can invest.
The masses have only their lasses and if they are lucky, land.

Meanwhile mangoes are rotting in the streets and people are suffering. Not one juice factory built by the government?

This is probably discussed by some in the industry from time to time. Thousands of rooms.

Would there be communities that we would caution visitors to stay out of?

Working on a movie long ago, I advised some Frenchmen about the runnings in certain areas. Next thing I know, they were being entertained royally by some 'bad man' who were happy to meet some open hearted people who fitted in to ghetto life in town. Not for everyone. Especially the lady with painted toenails and fancy sandals who stepped out of the car in TB and stepped right back in and headed right back to normal. Bugs!

It's the same everywhere, be straight up and keep the lions guarding the gates.

Or, Lee and Butch will take good care of you.

Pre-Requisites for a Community-based Tourism Entity.

http://www.tpdco.org/dynaweb.dti?dynasection=tourismenhancement&dynapage=pre_req

Certificate of incorporation; does this mean registering a limited liability company?

Our Informal Commercial Importers were given a label that enabled easier customs entry. The title of Informal Community Tourism Developers or some such title and the payment of a reasonable flat fee until fulfilling the pre-requisits required by the Tourist Board, may be a way for public and private entities to work together while minimising stress and time wasting.

Guidelines & Principles.


The maintenance of the project must be of the highest quality and the sustainability of the environment the top priority.

Top priority! From the horses mouth.

One bedrooms would be the majority.

The income may fall under the threshold for a tax liability, income or GCT.

To incorporate and comply with the Registrar of Companies etc takes many crucial hours in paperwork and lines that are needed to run a household. I have friends that run such, it can be hand to mouth.

Seems the designers refer to these as micro enterprises. Not sure what the conditions are for them. Hopefully they rules will comply with the IMF conditions of reducing red tape and freeing up our energies.

Pre-recs for...

A tall order for someone who wants of needs to rent out a room from time to time.