The vibe of the people; a couple’s love affair with Jamaica

BY JOSEPH CUNNINGHAM

There is something authentic and unique about the way Jamaicans express themselves which causes people from all parts of the world to keep revisiting once they have experienced Jamaica.

“There is more to Jamaica than just the beaches and luxurious rooms found in a 5-star hotel. The real Jamaica is experienced when a visitor leaves the hotel room and meets the people of Jamaica,” says Diana McIntyre-Pike, President of the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) Caribbean and Co-coordinator, IIPT International Community Tourism Network.

Furthermore, she added that the concept of community tourism really seeks to add that human-interest side to the experience. “We are not satisfied with how much tourism seems to be commercialized, as if it is just about investors erecting large hotels, seeking to make a profit. We are working to preserve the human-to-human experience.”

The mission statement of the IIPT highlights the intention to spread awareness of the power of tourism as a force for good. Key to that is the effort to urge tourism businesses to incorporate this belief into their core DNA, so that every action they take is a step towards leaving the world a better place.

Diana Pike has been championing this kind of tourism experience for many years, and her legend is global. One epic story that epitomizes the concept of community tourism, unfolded when a visiting couple met a warm and hospitable Jamaican. In August 1975, Margaret and Adrian Digby, a married couple and lovers of Jamaica, travelled to the island for their honeymoon, hoping it would be the perfect romantic getaway. It turned out to be more than they could have hoped for.

They reflected, “Jamaica is a beautiful country with the kindest most wonderful people we could have hoped to meet. On the same day as we married, another couple from the UK (Denise and Kevin) chose the same place to honeymoon (The Runaway Bay Hotel and Country Club). It was here that we got to know Diana McIntyre (as she was then) and she talked to us about seeing the real Jamaica. On her day off she took us around the Island, to her parents in Negril, Anchovy and showed us so many fantastic sights and great people. We were very impressed that there was more to Jamaica than smart hotels and beautiful beaches.”

Adrian’s interest in birds meant he wanted to be out there in the countryside seeing as much as he could and Diana certainly enabled him to do that. “Diana’s enthusiasm left a lasting impression on us all, and a desire to go back to Jamaica one day. We stayed friends with Denise and Kevin and decided to go back to Jamaica to celebrate our silver (25th) anniversary in 2000. The internet (being in its infancy) was not able to find Runaway Bay Hotel and Country Club, so we opted for Ciboney in Ocho Rios.”

“Over the years we have spoken quite often about Diana and how she’d opened our eyes to the real Jamaica and its people. On our 30th anniversary we had a cocktail party and Adrian invented some cocktails. One of them we decided had to be a reminder of Jamaica, rum for sure was in it, and then we had to name it. There was only one thing it could possibly be – the Diana McIntyre! It’s been a favourite ever since.”

“We now live near Houston Texas and every year we hold a ‘James Bond’ cocktail party for the ex-pat group and the Diana McIntyre is very popular. We explained why it was called that, and had Diana’s picture alongside, so all our friends know all about this wonderful lady.”

“In 2015 we celebrated our Ruby (40th) anniversary and there was only one place we could do that-Runaway Bay. This time we were determined to find Diana and with help from hotel staff we did just that. What a reunion after 40 years. It just seemed like yesterday! We met up on our anniversary evening; a perfect end to a perfect day. Thank you Diana – YOU ARE JAMAICA to us. Your country should be proud of your achievements in spreading the word about the wonderful place that is dear to our hearts.”