JMMB Highlights Agro Tourism as a Practical Path to Stronger, More Resilient Communities

The JMMB Group continued its national thought leadership series with a timely and solutions‑focused forum in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, spotlighting agro‑tourism as a practical driver of sustainable development, community resilience and rural economic growth.

Held at Jakes Hotel under the theme “Building Stronger Communities: The Future of Agro‑Tourism and Sustainable Development in Treasure Beach,” JMMB Group’s thought leadership breakfast brought together policymakers, development professionals, business leaders and community stakeholders for an in‑depth discussion on how agriculture, tourism and investment can work together to deliver long‑term value for rural Jamaica.

The choice of Treasure Beach as the host location was intentional, reflecting the community’s well‑established model of community‑based tourism, strong farming and fishing traditions, and its role as a living example of balanced development that prioritises people, place and profitability.

In welcoming participants, JMMB Group underscored that its thought leadership breakfast series is designed to take conversations beyond boardrooms and into the communities where economic transformation is actively taking place, creating space for informed dialogue rooted in real experience and local realities.

The panel discussion featured The Honourable Floyd Green, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining; Heather Pinnock, Managing Director of LUCEA Caribbean Limited; and Andre Baugh, Architect and Head of the Caribbean School of Architecture, University of Technology, Jamaica. Together, the panelists explored how agro‑tourism can help retain more tourism earnings locally, strengthen rural livelihoods and preserve community identity, while also addressing the environmental and climate realities facing coastal and agricultural communities.

A central theme emerging from the discussion was that sustainable development is not ideological, but practical, requiring balance across people, planet and profit. Emphasising the importance of implementation and inclusion, Minister Green noted, “Agro‑tourism allows us to retain more value within our communities by directly linking farmers and fisherfolk to the tourism economy. When done right, it strengthens food security, supports rural livelihoods and ensures that tourism earnings circulate where they are needed most.”

From a development perspective, panelists also highlighted the need for intentional planning and community‑centred decision‑making. Heather Pinnock explained, “Sustainable development is ultimately about balance — people, planet and profit. If any one of those is compromised, then we need to pause and rethink the decision. That balance must guide how we design, invest and build, particularly in communities like Treasure Beach.”

In closing the forum, Alwayne Cousins, Country Chief Client Partnership Officer, JMMB Group, reaffirmed the Group’s commitment to continued partnership. “At JMMB, partnership is at the core of everything we do. Conversations like these are critical because sustainable, long‑term development cannot happen in silos. It requires collaboration between the public and private sectors, communities and investors, all working together to ensure growth is inclusive, resilient and delivers real value where it matters most.”

JMMB Group’s thought leadership breakfast in Treasure Beach forms part of the organisation’s quarterly thought leadership event series, which convenes business and community leaders in different regions across the island to examine pressing economic issues and identify practical, collaborative solutions that support Jamaica’s development.