A group of young people from the Caribbean are presently being taught the rudiments of preserving and developing natural and cultural heritage sites under a UNESCO-sponsored project geared at generating income and reducing poverty in the region.
Director of UNESCO’s office for the Caribbean, Helene-Marie Gosselin explained that the aim of the project was to have these youngsters develop various sites into centres of internal or international tourism.
In addition to the training, Gosselin said the participants would also be provided with computers, printers, digital cameras and websites so they can advertise their services to the tourist industry.
Gosselin added that through the provision of training and the equipment, UNESCO would ensure that these projects are financially sustainable, while preparing participants to become more independent.
The project dubbed, ‘Youth Poverty Alleviation through Tourism and Heritage’, was launched on January 15.
Gosselin said Jamaica was chosen as the site of the project’s launch because of the government’s strong political commitment to projects such as these.
“There is a strong political commitment in Jamaica to develop heritage and community tourism and without this commitment, it is sometimes difficult to implement and develop such a project,” the director said.
She added that other aspects of Jamaica’s history, such as its heritage and being a major tourist destination, also influenced UNESCO’s decision to have Jamaica act as the springboard for the project in the Caribbean.
As part of the project, youth leaders from five Caribbean countries visited Jamaica on December 17 and toured the Hollywell recreational area.
During the tour, the youngsters from Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines were trained in tour guiding and how to maintain natural and historic trails.
Hollywell is located in the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park.
Gosselin expressed the hope that tourism- based private sector companies, such as hotels and the airline industry, will eventually support and participate in the project.
Minister of Industry and Tourism Aloun N’dombet Assamba was asked by UNESCO to be the patron of the project.
The Jamaica Observer
