Government of Jamaica
Sturge Town, Jamaica’s second free village, is charting a new course in community tourism, following a ribbon-cutting and awards ceremony held at the Sturge Town Primary and Infant on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. The event marked a significant breakthrough in revitalising the community’s tourism potential and empowering its residents with new opportunities.
The ceremony, attended by Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Member of Parliament North Western St Ann, Krystal Lee, and Executive Director of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) Wade Mars as well as Custos Rotulorum for St. Ann Joseph J. Issa, celebrated the town’s enduring legacy while positioning it for future growth. A key highlight was the official unveiling of the wall of fame and the awarding of certificates to 24 residents who successfully completed their Tour Guiding and Team Jamaica Training, equipping them with the skills to showcase the town’s rich cultural heritage.
Minister Bartlett, in his address, underscored the government’s commitment to integrating Sturge Town into Jamaica’s broader tourism framework. “I want to say how pleased we are to be part of the development of this great township of Sturge Town. The effort today is part of a process to put Sturge Town back on the tourism map. An important element of this is training – providing the knowledge and skills to convert opportunities into tangible economic benefits.”
He highlighted the government’s broader investment in community tourism, referencing the JMD $1.6 billion injected into 364 communities across Jamaica through the ‘Spruce Up’ initiative. The Minister also revealed plans for significant tourism-driven developments in the region, including a 1,000-room hotel, housing developments, and a bypass road connecting Sturge Town to major highways, ensuring greater accessibility and economic expansion.
Executive Director of TPDCo, Wade Mars, echoed these sentiments, affirming that tourism is a vehicle for community upliftment. “Sturge Town is one of Jamaica’s oldest free villages, built on the foundation of resilience, progress, and community. Today, we reaffirm a simple but powerful truth: tourism is for everyone,” Mars stated. “Through our Community Tourism Development Programme, we are investing in restoring landmarks, training local tour guides, and preserving the stories that make this community special.”
MP Krystal Lee, whose advocacy played a pivotal role in bringing the project to life, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism and TPDCo for their unrelenting support. “Community tourism is very important for us here in St Ann North West”, MP Lee underscored. Noting Sturge Town’s vast potential – not only in its deep historical roots but in its natural resources such as the Mali Spring, historic caves, and the famed Plum Tree where Marcus Garvey held meetings in the 1920’s and 30’s. MP Lee added that “this initiative is about developing our people and providing them with the tools to generate income through tourism.”
The ceremony saw a resounding show of support from community members and key stakeholders, all eager to see Sturge Town emerge as a vibrant cultural and eco-tourism destination. As part of the continued push, the Sturge Town Community Development Committee (CDC) will work closely with TPDCo to finalise the town’s official tourism concept and launch curated tour experiences.
Minister Bartlett closed with a vision for Sturge Town’s future, stating, “We want to come and explore the cultural heritage assets here and to put them on the map properly”. This with the support of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) will ensure that Sturge Town is recognised globally as a must-visit destination.
With a renewed focus on tourism, investment, and training, Sturge Town is poised to reclaim its place as a landmark of Jamaican heritage and community-driven tourism.
Caption 1: Ribbon Cutting
At the Sturge Town Ribbon Cutting and Awards Ceremony on February 5, 2025, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (center left) cuts the ribbon, joined by North Western St. Ann MP Krystal Lee (center right), TPDCo’s Executive Director Wade Mars (front row left), and Councillor for the Sturge Town Division, Claudette Brown (front row right). Also present, (from left back row) were Custos Rotolorum Joseph J. Issa and St. Ann Municipal Corporation Deputy Chairman, Councillor Cardell Wickham. The ceremony marked the official unveiling of the Sturge Town Wall of Fame, highlighting the historic contributions of local figures and celebrating the community’s rich cultural heritage.”
Caption 2: Top Awardee
Top awardee Janice Clarke of Sturge Town (left) proudly accepts her certificate of completion for TPDCo’s Team Jamaica and Tour Guiding Training programmes, presented by TPDCo’s Executive Director, Wade Mars (right). Janice was one of 24 awardees honoured at the Sturge Town Ribbon Cutting and Awards Ceremony on February 5, 2025.
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For further information on these developments, please contact:
Marline Stephenson Dalley
Coordinator, Corporate Communications and Community Awareness
Tourism Product Development Company Limited
Email: marline.stephenson@tpdco.org
Tel: 876 550 0733