Cockpit Country ­ nature lovers' haven

Nagra Plunkett , Hospitality Jamaica Writer

A TOTAL of 25 tour guides have been trained and presented with Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) certification as part of the establishment of the Cockpit Country Adventure Tours.

The venture, operated under the auspices of the South Trelawny Environmental Agency (STEA), is part of the organisation's com- mitment to charting environmentally friendly economic development.

NATURAL HISTORY

STEA is currently promoting three attractions, Bunker's Hill Cave and Picnic Tour, Rock Spring Cave and River Adventure and the Quashie River Sink Cave Exploration in Trelawny.

The attractions are rich in natural history with limestone caves, underground rivers and flowing waterfalls. The forest criss-crosses with hiking trails and is home to exotic plants, birds and reptiles, many of which are found no where else in the world.

TAKEN UP MOMENTUM

"We have been conducting tours in a minimal way over the past eight years but it has taken up momentum over the past two years. We are setting up Bunker's Hill for example to springboard with ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, it is a sure market," said Hugh Dixon, chairman of STEA.

"There are some 70,000 to 100,000 people coming in our island. All of what we are doing is literally preparing ourselves for that influx and we are also hoping that some of the other communities with interesting features could come on board as we move up to that major event."

For 30-year-old tour guide Donovan Haughton, the benefits in his home community of Bunker's Hill have been amazing.

"I see renewed interest in residents, especially since it is a localised economic activity. You find that persons are already coming forward with ideas for their own sustain- ability from the concept," he pointed out.

POSITIONING ITSELF

According to Mr. Dixon, STEA is positioning itself to effectively market the Cockpit Country and become the key conduit for community reference.

The eco-tourism project, which is community-driven, has also incorporated a bed and breakfast concept. Residents have opened their homes to visitors who wish to spend the night in the Cockpit Country after finishing their tour.

"There are ten such homes in the Rock Spring community and we are looking to introduce concept in Bunkers Hill and have the numbers increase number for World Cricket 2007," Mr. Dixon noted.