The Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) has officially opened a new office in Black River, St. Elizabeth, as part of its efforts to strengthen community-based tourism along Jamaica’s south coast.

The office, centrally located in the parish capital, is expected to facilitate key initiatives, including licensing, community tourism development, and continued support for south coast streetscape improvement projects.

Speaking during the opening ceremony last Wednesday (July 16), Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett described the move as a strategic decision that will enable TPDCo to better serve local stakeholders and advance tourism development in the parish.

“This office represents more than a physical location; it is a declaration of intent. The south coast is no longer the sleeping giant of Jamaican tourism. It is awake, and it is ready,” he said.

Bartlett added that the new location allows the agency to “get closer to the ground, listen more, and respond faster to the needs of our partners in communities like Treasure Beach, Middle Quarters, and here in Black River”.

He emphasised that the south coast, particularly St. Elizabeth, is uniquely positioned to offer authentic cultural and eco-tourism experiences.

“People don’t want only hotels. They want heritage, they want stories, they want immersion; and the South Coast has it all – wetlands, wildlife, rivers, farming experiences, heritage,” Minister Bartlett added.

Agriculture Minister Floyd Green, who also serves as Member of Parliament for St. Elizabeth South Western, welcomed the new office, describing it as a turning point for the parish’s tourism product.

“This is what we need to drive investment, create jobs, and integrate tourism with the everyday lives of our people,” Minister Green stated.

For his part, TPDCo executive director Wade Mars said the new location signals the agency’s continued commitment to relevance and responsiveness within Jamaica’s evolving tourism landscape.

He noted that the Black River office will enable faster response times, expanded training opportunities, stronger stakeholder collaboration, and deeper community engagement.

“This move is not symbolic; it’s strategic. We’re here to facilitate growth in tourism, not just regulate it. We want people with ideas to come in and talk with us,” Mars stated.