The Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA) has honoured tourism stalwart Diana McIntyre-Pike for her work in community tourism.

The organisation, at their annual general meeting last Wednesday (November 24), at the Jamaica Pegasus, presented McIntyre-Pike with their “Community Tourism Pioneer Award”.

She is President/Founder of the Countrystyle Villages as Businesses Programme and the International Institute of Peace Through Tourism Caribbean.

A citation read by Sandals Ocho Rios general manager Brian Roper noted, “Diana’s enthusiasm and love of community has taken us all on a journey of exploration and appreciation of local gems.”

The JHTA said, “Long before many understood the importance and value of community tourism, she was in the trenches, educating and training persons in her own community of Manchester, expanding beyond to the rest of Jamaica and nearby Caribbean neighbours through her Countrystyle Community Tourism Network.”

“Diana McIntyre-Pike, OD, has worked tirelessly throughout her career to promote community tourism in Jamaica and the Caribbean”, the JHTA noted, adding that, “Her mantra – act locally, establish independence and develop human resources – is a proven recipe for success.”