Great Huts, Jamaica. Ecotourism in Port Antonio
Great Huts can be best explained by its mission statement:
GREAT HUTS IS A SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE JAMAICAN BUSINESS COMMITTED TO BEING (1) A VACATION RETREAT WHERE OUR GUESTS FEELS SAFE, WELL TAKEN CARE OF, RELAXED AND ENTERTAINED, (2) A RESPECTED ECOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT KEPT NATURAL, RUSTIC, AND CLEAN (3) A FRIENDLY VILLAGE REFLECTING THE BEAUTY, STRENGTH, AND ARTISTIC & CULTURAL INTEGRITY OF A PEACEFUL WEST AFRICAN RURAL COMMUNITY, (4) A PRODUCTIVE WORKPLACE WHERE A CAPABLE AND HONEST TEAM OF RESPECTED WORKERS COOPERATE WITH AND CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER, LEARN NEW SKILLS AND MAKE THEIR LIVLIHOOD AND (5) A DONOR ANDWELLSPRING FOR VOLUNTEERS AND FUNDS FOR HELPING THE HOMELESS AND THE ELDERLY OF PORT ANTONIO ESPECIALLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ROTARY CLUB OF PORT ANTONIO.
In 2001, Paul Shalom Rhodes, MD acquired land at Boston Cliffs and began designing and building what has become Great Huts - Paradise on the Edge. A regular visitor to the Island for the past decade, Paul fell in love with Port Antonio, its rugged landscape, and her wonderful people. His love of Jamaican and African art and his connection with the community created a unique opportunity to build a different kind of ecotourism resort, catering to adventure travelers and cultural tourism.
Paul's love affair with Jamaica began in 1974 when he particated in a University of the West Indies nutrition project in Lucea, Jamaica during his last year of medical school. In addition to the proprietorship of this ecotourist resort, Paul is the past President of the Port Antonio Chapter of Rotary International and is involved in many community service projects, especially care of the homeless. In 1994 Paul founded a charity called JAFI which assists the infirmaries (Alms Houses) of Jamaica.
During his three year sabbatical in Jamaica, serving as VP and President of the Port Antonio Rotary Club and focusing on the design and construction of Great Huts, Paul met Nickesha Christine Smith and was smitten! Paul and Nikki were married at Great Huts in 2005. Nikki graduated with a theater arts degree from Edna Manley College in Kingston and is currently pursuing her acting career in Washington, DC. Paul practices medicine in DC. Their jobs allow them regular visits to Great Huts where they enjoy meeting and assisting their guests and making new friends. They rely upon the expertise and charms of manager Peter Lewis, a Hospitality and Tourism Management graduate from the University of Technology and the University of the West Indies (joint degree) and formerly with the Jamaica Tourist Board. Great Huts staff members Raymond and Nigel care for the grounds, Cynthia and Margarite care for the rooms, Anthony patrols the grounds, Chef Skanka does the cooking, and all together we care for YOU, our guest.
Dr. Rhodes and Rotary provide minimally priced accommodations for volunteers of one month or more. Preceptorships for interns/residents in medicine, psychiatry, social work, nursing, education and recreational therapy are offered by Dr. Rhodes and Rotary colleagues and include voluntary work at the infirmary, or homeless shelter, rehabilitation center for the homeless, and environmental protection agency. Free or subsidized housing at Great Huts is available for such student/volunteers.
For more information on "VOLUN-TOURISM", you can contact Dr. Paul Rhodes at info@greathuts.com
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