Why a Sport Tourism Strategy? Purpose of Strategy This strategy has been developed to help steer the work of the St. Elizabeth Sport Council and the St. Elizabeth Parish Development Committee. It will provide a clear vision for the development of tournaments, regattas, facilities and support services within the Greater Treasure Beach Area and the Parish of St. Elizabeth over the next five years. This initiative was conceived during an exchange programme to Canada in June 2011. This Sport Tourism Strategy has been formulated with extensive consultation of the general public, key sector groups and partner organizations. It also responds to various needs assessments. Funding for this project was made possible through the efforts of the Canadian Urban Institute under the International Urban Partnership Programme of the Canadian International Development Agency. The St. Elizabeth Parish Development Committee has initiated several sustainable development plans. These plans seek to develop a local planning policy framework that will guide the physical development of the parish. An important part of this process is the identification of social and economic community conditions. The Sport Tourism strategy is critical to establishing a clear path to economic and social viability for the area. This document will form part of the evidence base that supports the Greater Treasure Beach Sustainable Development Plan. The strategy aims to carve a new niche in the tourism market and increase the current occupancy ratio of twenty-five per cent on an annualised basis for hotels, villas and guest houses in the parish. It is also envisioned that the sport sector will benefit from infrastructure development and the generatation of more employment opportunities. The parish, which enjoys a rich local heritage, should benefit from an influx in visitor arrivals. In addition, bed and breakfast facilities should experience growth. It is anticipated that dormitory accommodations will be introduced, thus boosting the revenue of education institutions that have empty dormitory facilities during the summer months. Growth is also anticipated in the transportation, entertainment, and tour and attractions sectors, as the industry develops. Sport Tourism is both environmentally and economically sustainable as it involves low-cost physical development in communities. St. Elizabeth is poised to benefit from the Sport Tourism Strategy as it currently enjoys a low crime rate, thereby making it a desirable place to visit. The parish boasts several talented athletes and is home to many establishments that can be ramped up to take advantage of this programme. The Greater Treasure Beach Area, with its available inventory of accommodations, tours and attractions (all of which are within close proximity to renowned tourism hubs), has a rich sporting and recreational tradition, making it the premier location in Jamaica to undertake this venture.
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Greater Treasure Beach Sport Tourism Strategy