We have adopted the principles of “Geotourism” in the formulation of our product & services, a concept coined by the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations. “Maroon Tours” seeks to promote the Geotourism approach to improve stewardship and attract the most beneficial, least disruptive forms of tourism.
Geotourism is tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place; its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. “Maroon Tours” through its Technocrat Advisory Committee will assist in providing information & direction to help destination stakeholders to develop a Geotourism Strategy that identifies, sustains, develops, markets, the Geotourism assets unique to the locale. We act as catalysis to provide resources & possibilities for sustainability to communities across Grenada.
We provide an alternative stay in Grenada; one that gets welcomed into the heart and soul, a Grenadian experience. Grenadians’ are a unique people shaped by a rich, powerful and diverse history and culture. Equally diverse is the land and sea they are blessed with.
Traditional Concept
The concept of “Maroon” is a Grenadian tradition, represented in communal labor pools and celebration. “Maroon” is also the name given to communities, which is the integration of various African/Amerindian ethnic groups for their suitable survival. They did not just coexist harmoniously with each other, but with nature, demonstrated in their use of herbal medicines and the art of camouflage. A significant trait of maroon culture is the communal cooking, cultural sharing, working and celebration.
Developmental Concept
Volunteer tourism describes a field of tourism in which travelers visit a destination and take part in projects in the local community; it is also known as stewardship or civic tourism. Projects are commonly nature-based, people-based or involve restoration of buildings and artifacts.
Operational Framework
Much emphasis would be place on ensuring a healthy, open relationship and an established balanced partnership with the local community. We seek to formulate development program agreements, with interested groups and the community as a whole.
Registered with us are technocrats who are familiar with the participatory process. Their assignment to the project will be from the inception to the end and will involve interacting with the community to formulate and guide the project.
Regular meetings as well continuous dialogue with local communities, development agencies and government officials allow for transparency and ongoing Public Relations development. In return for the communities support, we have agreed to assist in the following areas:
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- To assist in the provision of technical assistance for the development of projects
- To provide local employment for the operation
- To source supplies were possible for the local community
- To assist with the provision of furnishings, utilities and medical First Aid Kit, training, support in case of emergency
- To develop various concepts of "Sustainable-Tourism" for the benefit of local community development.
Development Values
Our core values are responsibility & sustainability, respect & dignity, service & partnership and economic transparency & empowerment. As with all the projects we offer, it is designed to be culturally sustainable and economically transparent, as well as being community-driven.
Responsibility & sustainability – volunteers will be working alongside a team of local community persons – volunteers placement will not replace any local worker. Community responsibility and project sustainability should be inherent aspects of the project – “People in Action” support the concept of Geotourism as coined by National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destination.
Respect & dignity – mutual respect for personal and cultural dignity involves listening to each other and learning from each other. Foreign/local integration–knowledge and perceptions will differ from each other, but both sets of values are equally valid. Full preparation and guidance is given by our company to maximize the potential mutual benefits.
Service & partnership – we work together with the local Project Management Team in matching the volunteer and their skills to the specific requirements of the project. Volunteers will be able to work in true partnership with the local people on the project.
Economic transparency and community empowerment: - we will work with the community to formulate & establish a community chest fund. The price of the placement is paid directly to the Project Management Team, not to us (excluding the 15% volunteer recruitment fees to the foreign based travel agent) – at least 70%-80% of the price remains where it is needed most, in the host community and the project donation is used exclusively for this project.
