The development of tourism businesses in rural communities: The case of the Maroons of Jamaica.

Chambers, Donna

Abstract

This chapter presents the results of research conducted in three Maroon villages in Jamaica during the summer of 2003, which investigated the views and reactions of the Maroons towards (cultural) tourism development opportunities in their communities, as well as the scope for the development of rural tourism businesses in these communities. It is revealed that despite a general support for tourism, the strength of this support is not universal among the Maroon leaders interviewed. Shortage of skills and finance, and the issue of seasonality, represent key operational challenges in the development of tourism in Maroon communities. More importantly, it is revealed that the disappearing cultural heritage of the Maroons can militate against the development of cultural rural tourism businesses in the communities. Indeed, it is concluded that a pivotal operational challenge to the development of rural cultural tourism businesses is how to rejuvenate the unique cultural heritage on which these businesses must necessarily be based

Citation

Chambers, D. (2005). The development of tourism businesses in rural communities: The case of the Maroons of Jamaica. In D. Hall, I. Kirkpatrick, & M. Mitchell (Eds.), Rural Tourism and Sustainable Business (180-200). Channel View Publications

• Publication Date: 2005
• Deposit Date: May 2, 2008
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 180-200
• Book Title: Rural Tourism and Sustainable Business
• ISBN: 1845410114
• Keywords: Cultural tourism; Jamaica; rural tourism; heritage
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/2162