THE National Environment and Planning Agency’s (NEPA) mobile bus is set to roll into Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, on November 8 so owners of tourism entities in the area can access permits and licences.

In fact, a release from the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) said yesterday that compliance level among the owners, particularly as it relates to beach licences, is low.

So next month, owners of Treasure Beach tourism entities will be able to gain additional information about licensing and permits and will also be able to submit applications through the NEPA mobile bus.

A partnership initiative between TPDCo and NEPA, both agencies recently hosted an intervention meeting to discuss the concerns with the owners at the Treasure Beach Sports complex.

According to the release, the owners attributed the low compliance to a difficulty in understanding licensing and permit processes, all of which were reportedly addressed at the meeting.

Also, the issue of security being a criterion for obtaining a Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) licence for accommodations was one of the primary concerns for the owners, as the JTB criteria states that a property’s security measures must be approved before a licence is distributed.

In an effort to eliminate the apparent misconception that an expensive security team is needed to pass the assessment, Deanne Keating Campbell, TPDCo’s director of product quality and training, advised the owners that a simple way to get an assessment done is through the community liaison police, which forms the Community Safety and Security Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

“The community liaison police are our partners,” Keating Campbell said during the meeting. “If they visit your respective entities and they pass it as safe, based on their expert point of view, a letter is then sent to TPDCo, and you won’t need any other form of security assessment.”

Meanwhile, Ruth-Ann Lacey Sherrard, manager of the Applications Secretariat Branch for NEPA, highlighted licensing and permit requirements and addressed issues entity owners have encountered in obtaining permits and licenses.

NEPA’s approach at the meeting, according to the release, was to facilitate a discussion on issues as they strive for compliance which, they brlieved believes will, in the long run have a positive impact on the environment if the regulations are adhered to.

“We are looking at protecting Jamaica and as we celebrate Environment Year and Sustainable Tourism, it is fitting that we partner with TPDCo to provide information on how you can establish a business that is in keeping with laws and regulations,” she said.

Treasure Beach is known islandwide as the home of community tourism. According to the release, currently the community has approximately 50 tourist accommodations in the form of hotels, villas, guest houses, cottages, and home stays.