Countrystyle Community Tourism Network (CCTN)
Countrystyle Community Tourism Network (CCTN) is internationally recognized for its work over three decades, much of it on a voluntary basis, in pioneering community tourism. It has been the driving force behind the concept of community tourism in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
What is the Mission of CCTN?
To support the development of community tourism in Jamaica, the Caribbean and internationally, preparing communities to provide and benefit from diverse “community experience” vacations and tours offered to local and foreign visitors, and educating all stakeholders of the importance of community tourism to the cause of peace, poverty alleviation and sustainable development.
Our vision is of rural and urban communities empowered and able to develop on a sustainable basis by:
– exposing and dynamically marketing their natural culture, talents, passion and potential to the world;
– stimulating local entrepreneurship, management skills and improvement opportunities; and
– managing themselves as unique Caribbean destination or products.
How does CCTN define Community Tourism?
CCTN uses the definition developed during the 2003-04 Jamaica Community Tourism Project, initiated by Countrystyle’s Sustainable Communities Foundation, the forerunner of CCTN, and funded by the Canadian International Development Agency:
“an integrated approach and collaborative tool for the socio-economic empowerment of communities through the assessment, development and marketing of natural and cultural community resources which seeks to add value to the experience of local and foreign visitors and simultaneously improve the quality
of communities.”
