10 Interesting Types of Tourism in Jamaica

Tourism is one of the most popular recreational activities for people all across the world. It allows people to explore new places, experience different cultures, and learn about history, nature and wildlife. Over the years, different kinds of tourism have emerged, each offering unique experiences and opportunities. Whether it’s exploring new cultures, participating in adventure activities, or pursuing health and wellness, there is a type of tourism to suit every interest and desire. In this article, we’ll explore 10 interesting types of tourism which exist in Jamaica, or are practiced by Jamaicans.

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1. Sports Tourism

Sports tourism involves traveling to watch or participate in sporting events, such as the Olympics, World Cup, or Super Bowl. It is popular among sports enthusiasts who want to experience the excitement and atmosphere of these events firsthand. Everything from football, basketball and lacrosse to cricket, golf, volleyball and netball are all practiced in Jamaica in professional and leisure capacities. Jamaica gets an influx of visitors around the time of our ISSA/ Grace Kennedy Boys & Girls Championships (“Champs”), an athletics meet where high school athletes from across the country compete. The future of Jamaica’s sprinting talent emerges at Champs. Past and present students, fans and well-wishers support by attending the meet and wearing their school tie, polo shirts or just an outfit with the school’s colours. Coaches from local and international clubs and universities also attend to recruit the best athletes.

Jamaica has hosted international meets like the annual CARIFTA Games and the 2007 Cricket World Cup. We also host an annual Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K in Negril which has attracted hundreds of tourists since 2001. Thus, Jamaica can be considered a sports tourism destination.

2. Health Tourism

Health tourism involves traveling to another country for medical treatment or healthcare services. This can be for a variety of reasons, such as lower costs, better quality care, or access to treatments that are not available in the traveler’s home country. Jamaica’s tourism was born in the early 1900s out of health tourism! It was felt that the turquoise Caribbean Sea which washes the island had healing properties. In fact, that is how the Doctor’s Cave Beach in Montego Bay got its name. Tourists also enjoyed the curative properties of the island’s mineral baths such as the Black River Mineral Bath, Bath in St. Thomas, and the Milk River Mineral Spa. Milk River’s warm radioactive waters are reputed to cure ailments such as rheumatism, gout, neuralgia, sciatica, lumbago and liver disease.

Present day Jamaicans often travel to Cuba and the USA for medical care, as some advanced treatments lie outside the scope of medical care in Jamaica. Similarly, Jamaica receives visitors from other parts of the Caribbean such as the Turks and Caicos, and members of the Jamaican diaspora who want to take advantage of specialty services at affordable prices.

3. Dark Tourism

Dark tourism is a form of tourism that involves visiting places associated with death, tragedy, suffering and the supernatural. In Jamaica, we have our fair share of supernatural activity. One of Montego Bay’s most popular attractions is the Rose Hall Great House which has a very dark past– perfect for dark tourists. Its former owner, Annie Palmer, acquired the Rose Hall mansion after murdering her husband using black arts which she learnt in St. Domingue (present day Haiti). She later murdered her subsequent two husbands and countless slave lovers, until she was eventually killed by a lover. Her spirit is said to roam the property, and her paranormal presence can be easily felt. We also have “Duppy Church” and a haunted castle which was home to Jamaica’s first recorded serial killer, now a Jamaican National Heritage Site.

4. Ecotourism

Ecotourism is a type of tourism that focuses on preserving and protecting natural environments and wildlife. It involves responsible travel practices and sustainable tourism initiatives that aim to minimize the impact of tourism on the environment. Ecotourism can include activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and nature photography. If you didn’t already guess from the kind of content I post, this is my favourite kind of tourism!

Ecotourists can enjoy dozens of rivers, waterfalls, caves and mountain hiking trails in Jamaica. We also have several eco-friendly lodges and retreats tucked away across the island. My favourite ecotourist sanctuary in Jamaica is the 40-acre Animal Farm near Montego Bay which offers birdwatching, nature walks, a farm, petting zoo and bamboo rafting. Their four Great River eco-cottages blend right into the awesome rainforest canopy.

5. Ethnotourism

Ethnotourism involves traveling to experience and learn about different cultures and ways of life. Ethnotourism focuses on preserving and promoting cultural heritage and traditions, and often involves visiting remote or rural communities to participate in traditional activities. Places where you can experience ethnotourism in Jamaica include:

• School of Vision Rasta Camp & Guesthouse in Irish Town
• Rastafari Indigenous Village in Montego Bay
• The Maroon communities of Accompong, Scott’s Hall, Moore Town and Charles Town.

6. Food Tourism

Food tourism focuses on exploring local cuisine and food culture. It involves visiting local markets, restaurants, and food festivals, as well as taking cooking classes and learning about the history and traditions behind different dishes. Jamaican cuisine is a flavourful blend of five major world cuisines. Must-try dishes for food tourists to Jamaica include patties, curry goat, ox-tails, escovitch fish and exotic tropical fruits including the poisonous ackee fruit (don’t worry it’s not poisonous when prepared by a Jamaican!). Take a rum tour to see the process of distilling rum from sugarcane to spirit, and visit a Blue Mountain coffee farm to see the traditional process behind making one of the world’s best brews.

7. Adventure Tourism

Adventure tourism involves activities that are physically challenging or require specialized skills. It is popular among thrill-seekers who want to push their limits. Here are five adventurous things you can do in Jamaica:

• Jump from a cliff at Rick’s Café in Negril
• Go ziplining, white-water tubing and horseback riding in the sea at Chukka Cove
• Go parasailing in Negril and Ocho Rios
• Jump into or climb waterfalls all across the island.
• Hike to Blue Mountain Peak, one of Jamaica’s most strenuous but beautiful hikes.

Get more adventurous Jamaican ideas here.

8. Volunteer Tourism

Volunteer tourism, also known as voluntourism, involves traveling to another country to participate in volunteer work or community service projects. It combines travel with philanthropy, and can include activities such as building schools, teaching English, and working on conservation projects. In Jamaica, one can practice voluntourism with formal programmes such as International Youth Fellowship (IYF), Peace Corps and WWOOF. You can also have unique Jamaican volunteer experiences at the:

• Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary
• Trench Town Reading Centre

9. Birth Tourism

Birth tourism is the practice of traveling to a different country to give birth there, usually for the purpose of acquiring citizenship for the child. It is a popular option for parents who want to give their children more opportunities, such as better education and healthcare, and to escape political or social instability in their home country. In Jamaica, pregnant women sometimes take the risk of traveling to the USA so they can give birth overseas. That is then followed by frequent trips in between school semesters to the USA in order to maintain American citizenship until the final decision of relocating, usually for boarding school or college, is made. The ethics of birth tourism is a hot topic, as this drains the resources of the host country. Many countries have put laws in place to prevent this.

10. Luxury Tourism

Jamaica is known for its luxury tourism industry which offers a range of high-end accommodations, activities, and services to visitors. Some of the most popular luxury resorts in Jamaica include the Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Half Moon, Sandals Royal Plantation, GoldenEye and Jamaica Inn. Luxury tourists in Jamaica can also enjoy a wide range of activities, including golfing, horseback riding, hiking, and visiting historic sites and cultural attractions. In addition, many Jamaican luxury resorts offer all-inclusive gourmet dining options featuring local and international cuisine. However, as expected, prices for luxury hotels in Jamaica will be steep.

Wrap Up

What did you think about these ten types of tourism? Share your favourite kind in the comments below! Before you go, remember to subscribe for new articles.

‘Til next time.

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