'Jamaicafied' tour experience with FIWI Jamaica

• December 15 2019
• http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sunday-finance/-jamaicafied-tour-experience-with-fiwi-jamaica_181652

Harvel Jackson is a 50-year-old tour guide and entrepreneur who operates a Kingston-based business called FIWI Jamaica Experience Tours.

Jackson lived in the United States for most of his adult life and worked in the IT industry. He came back to Jamaica with the intention of going into both catering and the tourism industry but eventually focused only on the tour business.

Jackson utilises transportation companies when necessary and sometimes he may hire assistant tour guides for particular jobs but ultimately FIWI is a personalised service and a one-man operation that offers tours around Jamaica.

The excursions range from Blue Mountain tours, culture, nature and city tours which involve sites like Devon House, Bob Marley museum, Blue Hole hidden falls, Lime Cay, White River tubing, a coffee tour and a lot more.

The close personal relationship that Jackson nurtures with his guests is reflected in the positive reviews on his website:

“Thank you for taking such good care of us in Kingston,” expressed one satisfied customer. “We felt like we saw so much more of Kingston with you than we would have done as 'independent' travellers. Drinks at Tracks and Records was the icing on the cake.”

The Jamaica Observer sat down with the entrepreneur to ask questions about the challenges, demands and rewards of running a one-man tour company. Jackson gave us some illuminating answers.