May Pen, Clarendon — A visiting tourism expert is urging locals to protect “precious” tourist attractions in this south-central parish.

According to a news release from the Clarendon Parish Council, Canadian marketing and brand consultant Kym McCulley, who has 20 years experience in tourism marketing, expressed concern about locals “protecting what’s precious”.

She reportedly explained that Clarendon’s foremost challenge will be to keep the local experience just the way it is. McCulley stressed the importance of handling Clarendon’s virtually undiscovered natural tourism product with the greatest sensitivity towards environmental protection.

She was invited by the Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED) to assist local tourism interests with assessing the parish’s competitive advantage, brand, and niche in the tourism industry.

During her stay in Clarendon as guest of the parish council, McCulley visited a number of natural heritage and cultural sites, including the Bull Head Mountains, Milk River Resort and Spa, the Alley Church, and Alligator Hole.

McCulley reportedly said she had looked her whole life for an experience like that which she had in Clarendon.

She described Clarendon’s attractions as “a wonderful [tourism] product”. According to McCulley, “the product is here and all ready to go”, and it’s just a matter of “packaging it up” for the market.

McCulley is expected to present a marketing and branding strategy plan to council, outlining her recommendations on packaging and selling the parish’s tourism product.