The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A former Chamber of Commerce chief executive yesterday said 700-plus jobs are forecast to ultimately be created after Andros' community-based Tourism Cluster Development Programme launches on June 29-30

Edison Sumner, principal of Sumner Strategic Partners, told the Andros Business Outlook conference that the initiative has been sparked by $300,000 in grant funding from the Complete Caribbean partnership facility.

“The Andros-based Community Cluster Programme currently consists of upwards of 60 members," he added, "which includes firms, entrepreneurs, agencies that have agreed to work together to build the local community of Andros through industry, entrepreneurship and business leadership, while sustaining the natural and cultural integrity of the island.”

Andros is known for its flats fishing and bonefish eco-lodges. Mr Sumner said this initiative aims to capitalise on Andros’ nature tourism potential, adding: “The programme was designed to explore, and to promote, the whole area of eco-tourism in Andros and capitalise on its natural resources.

“I want to encourage all of you, when the launch happens and when you hear about the cluster programme, or the cluster programme manager coming in and making rounds and trying to get people more excited and involved and educated and informed about this programme, I want to encourage those of you in the Andros community, north, south, central, Mangrove Cay and altogether be excited about it, because it is something that's going to do very well to the island.”