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South African team returns from Jamaican Study Tour on Community Tourism!
A dynamic team of South Africans, volunteers with community development at heart, has just returned from Jamaica. The team is made up of academics, businessmen and women -extremely successful in their own fields – from the tourism, financial, hospitality, public relations and training sectors. The South African CCTNSA Team participated in a Study Tour arranged by the President and Founder of Countrystyle Community Tourism Network (CCTN), Mrs. Diana McIntyre-Pike, and her team of tourism specialists.
The South African CCTN Team visited Jamaica on a Study Tour following research findings that identified Jamaica as the “home of Community Tourism”. The purpose of the study tour was to learn about the internationally-recognized ‘Villages as Businesses’ Model of Community Tourism, which highlights the village lifestyle built on unique natural, cultural and human capital.
The CCTNSA Team departed from Emperors Palace, Johannesburg after an official send off with messages of support from high profile strategic guests. Amongst the guests was World renowned artist Peter Sibeko from Soweto who presented a painting to be handed to Mr. Louis D’Amore, the President of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT), at a special function in Jamaica.
A special message came from Jamaican High Commissioner to South Africa, Her Excellency Norma Taylor Roberts delivered by Minister Councilor Ms. Shorna Kay-Richards who said it was a great pleasure for her to convey the message on behalf of Jamaica and wished the SA team the best.
Shorna Kay-Richards said that “Tourism, and in particular; Community Tourism, was a most effective channel for enhancing integrated development in any country. This was primarily because of the multi-sectoral nature of the industry”.
Her Excellency, Norma Taylor Roberts was quoted as been ‘pleased that the SA team chose Jamaica for its study tour on community tourism. Tourism is key to Jamaica and we value hosting guests from around the world.”
The CCTNSA team was congratulated for the initiative and tenacity it was showing in pursuing objectives aimed at reducing unemployment and poverty, developing skills and entrepreneurship and developing communities in South Africa.
Jamaica stood ready to share its experiences and expertise with South Africa. Her Excellency commended Ms. Diana McIntyre-Pike, president and founder of Jamaica CCTN, for providing the vehicle to make cooperation possible. She also took a moment to thank all those who played a role towards making the study tour a reality.
Her Excellency’s wish for success and an enjoyable visit to Jamaica became a reality for the study group from South Africa. The visit to Jamaica says Victor Sibeko of CCTNSA “definitely started another chapter in the positive relations which South Africa enjoys and shares with Jamaica”.
“The study tour was privately sponsored by people who want to make a difference in enhancing South Africa’s community tourism routes and products aimed at supporting and building local economic development” says CCTNSA’s Victor Sibeko.
Nikki De Pina added that “Mrs. Diana McIntyre-Pike, Founder and President of CCTN had been nominated as one of 50 world experts to present a Paper on Jamaica’s Community Tourism and Villages as Businesses Model at UNESCO in Switzerland last year. All our research indicated that the Jamaican Model would be of greatest interest to South Africa”.
Says Victor Sibeko “video clips, photos and notes of the tour were captured and will be documented and shared with strategic stakeholders at various workshops and at the Tourism Indaba 2012. The findings will be filtered to all interested Tourism and Community Development stakeholders”.
South African pilot projects have been identified by CCTNSA for implementing CCTNSA’s Community Tourism Model, incorporating aspects from the Jamaica Model.
The Founder & President of the International Peace through Tourism (IIPT) Mr. Louis D’Amore travelled specially from the USA to meet with the South African Team and joined the study tour. D’Amore officially announced the establishment of IIPT-SA and recognized the newest members into the IIPT Family. He extended a special welcome to Victor Sibeko as President of the IIPT South Africa.
Responding to D’Amore, Victor Sibeko said “we as professionals ranging from academic, legal, tourism and entrepreneurs, are committed to developing impoverished communities in a true spirit of UBUNTU.”
ABOUT CCTNSA:
CCTNSA is a non-profit association and partner of Countrystyle Community Tourism Network (CCTN) Caribbean, which is endorsed by IIPT (International Institute for Peace through Tourism). The association invites sponsors, donors and community tourism stakeholders to contribute to its research projects. Contact us via email info@dixie.co.za – LINK: www.cctnsa.co.za
ABOUT IIPT:
The International Institute For Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) is a not for profit organization dedicated to fostering and facilitating tourism initiatives which contribute to international understanding and cooperation, an improved quality of environment, the preservation of heritage, and through these initiatives, helping to bring about a peaceful and sustainable world. Website: http://www.iipt.org and www.iipt.co.za
ABOUT VILLAGES AS BUSINESSES:
CCTN developed the Villages as Businesses Programme in collaboration with the National Best Community Foundation (NBCF) as an investment programme to offer opportunities for visitors to experience and support Jamaica’s unique community culture; to develop community tourism products that build on unique natural, cultural and human capital, for communities to benefit directly from their assets and emerging tourism trends and for Jamaicans,friends of Jamaica, businesses, agencies and institutions to invest in a coordinated, practical and continuing community development programme
Issued
Sunday, 04 March 2012
Victor Sibeko
Media Liaison & Spokesperson
Countrystyle Community Tourism Network South Africa (CCTNSA)
Interim President, International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPTSA)
Tel. (0027) 11 436 2779
Cell. 083 287 0777
Fax. 086 577 8 775
Email. victor@buhlebethu.com
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