AGRITOURISM ON STATIA LET’S MAKE IT WORK! Roxanne Waithe Agrotourism Specialist, IICA Barbados

Definitions: Agritourism Agro-ecotourism Profile of an agro-ecotourism traveller Caribbean success stories Opportunities for Statia Making it work

Agritourism Agrotourism Any activity, enterprise or business that links agriculture with products, services and experiences in tourism. Any activity, enterprise or business that links agriculture with products, services and experiences in tourism. Ecotourism Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.

Agro-ecotourism Travel to rural farming communities that strive to protect their natural and man-made resources by using eco-friendly agricultural practices Health & Wellness: Spas, Local remedies Community festivals Farm Tours Rural B & B Culinary Tourism Agro-trade (Agribusiness) Historic plantations & agri-museums

“...All travellers eat and drink... Therefore food and drink have a greater ability to make long-lasting memories than any other kind of tourism experience ….” Eric Wolf - President, International Culinary Tourism Association Publisher, FoodTrekker.com

Ainley & Smale Journal of Rural and Community Development (2010) 35 – 55 years old Educated to post high school diploma or university level Middle income – less affluent than luxury traveller Not likely to have dependent children under 12

Participate in food production (and consumption) Learn about the lives of rural people Escape the hustle of the city Connect with nature Agricult ure Natur e Herita ge Advent ure

Recent developments: IICA/CARICOM/OAS Agrotourism Conference Sep 20 – 22, 2011

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Agrotourism Committee Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Transformation, Forestry and Fisheries (MARTFF) Ministry of Tourism and Industry (MTI) Ministry of Rural Transformation, Information et al Inter-America Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Hotel Association Taxi Driver’s Association WINFA SVG Bureau of Standards (SVBS) Taiwan Technical Mission Cruise lines reps./Tour operators

Component 1 Assessment of sites for potential agro-ecotourism development 2Sanitary and safety equipment installed 3Training workshops 4Tour Routes Established and labeled 5Promotional Materials Developed 6Sites HACCP and ISO certified 7Modification of present facilities to accommodate visitors 8Project Evaluation National Agrotourism Project – SVG

Project Sites The national Agrotourism programme obtained funding (US$53,990) from the Organisation of American States (OAS) to develop the following sites: The Orange Hill Agricultural Cooperation Farm supported by Taiwanese Farmers The Cassava and Arrowroot Factories at Orange Hill Everdale Farms at Wallilabou The Fruit Treecrop Germplasm Bank at Peter’s Hope The National Properties Farm at Mt Wynne

Project Status Five training courses completed: Hospitality and Customer Service Health and safety – Basic First Aid and Managing Emergency and evacuation on a farm Food preparation and Handling on farm tourism sites Tour guiding Business Management and Marketing Tools and safety equipment bought 300 labels/signs for trees 3 story boards completed Rehabilitation of Building at Peters Hope Fencing and Provision of Security Bars and Grills for Site

Agrotourism in Grenada Grenada’s Agro Tourism Product/Service Initiatives by Segments

Flamboyant & La Source hotels – farming contracts with farmers; Spice Isle Resort/Farmer Arrangements – Over EC$1 million in agricultural produce traded(high Multiplier Effect ) Agro- Processors’ products used in tourism promotions by Grenada Board of Tourism - De La Grenade products(jams jellies, syrups liqueurs etc) Rums, Flowers, coconut sweet products 80% of Fresh Vegetable needs by a hotels are supplied locally but nearly 100% of meat needs are imported.

o Development of Gouyave Town(West Coast) as a Fish Friday Centre- weekly fish fry night, art, craft, local entertainment o Mt. Moritz –traditional West Indian breakfast serving salt fish, fried jacks, bakes, juice, cocoa tea etc. every last Sunday of the month o St Mark’s Food Festival –local foods served in the parish every last Saturday of the month o Parish festivals –Fisherman’s Birthday, Rainbow City Festival, St. Patrick’s Day, Sailing Festivals Day, Tivoli Saraca etc. where local foods are predominately featured

National Assessment on the Gouyave Fish Friday (2007) Revenue/Earnings: the total dollar impact was approx. one million EC dollars/annum Increased fish catch and sales Increased sale of produce and groceries by the shops and super markets in the community Social impacts: employment and job creation(hiring of assistants, entertainers etc.) Enhancement of community pride- putting Gouyave “on the map”, enhancement of community infrastructure

 Nutmed products including the well known Nutmed Spray by Noelville Company  Belzeb is a producer of natural aromatherapy, spa and herbal products from Caribbean fruits and herbs. Its products are featured in Moi Spa at Mount Cinnamon Hotel  Arawak Islands Company produces lifestyle products as soaps, colognes, insect repellants, candles using local herbs and flowers

Belmont Estate – functioning organic cocoa estate: farm tours, horticulture, goat dairy and offers an ultimate Caribbean agro- tourism adventure. Mango Festival - July 2009, 2010 & 2011: The Theme for the 2011 Festival was “Embracing the King of fruits for nutritional, social and economic benefits for our nation” Laura’s Herb & Spice Garden – spice tours and sale of processed spices Grenada Sugar Factory & Westerhall Estates Ltd.(historic rum distilleries)

1.Lack of a national policy on agro-tourism 2.Perception of juggling for lead sector priority between “Agriculture” and “Tourism”, instead of capitalizing on the symbiotic relationship between the two 3.Difficulty in accessing credit for development of agro-tourism products 4.Lack of institutional support for agro-tourism 5.High foreign exchange leakages in the purchasing of imported foods by the hotels and restaurants

Workshop Session Objectives: 1.Identify priority areas for agritourism development in St. Eustatius 2.Specify critical actions required to support agritourism development