Touch The Road

Music. Travel. Culture. Dance.

“Community Inclusive Travel in Jamaica”

Just when you thought you learned everything you could about tourism, in comes Touch The Road with a fresh, fun take on a globally understood concept. Since their soft launch in 2012, the tiny powerhouse team has been steadily breaking barriers and making a name for themselves in the travel and entertainment industries. They have continued to build a strong network of ‘Jamaica ambassadors’ through their exciting travel experiences and it’s clear to see that they are poised for massive movements in the coming years. Read on to see how the Kingston-based company is changing how the world experiences Jamaican culture…

Eschew all thoughts of what a Caribbean – particularly Jamaican – trip is like. Touch The Road (TTR) is an urban travel company (read: definitely not your average vacation) that creates customized, authentic tours for an awakening experience. Their approach is to not only show off intrinsic Jamaican culture, but to do so by placing the traveler right in the heart of the action. In short, they actually teach you about the island by immersing you into each activity. This means you meet and interact with the locals, go where they go and live as they do (not as a tourist), all while making a contribution to the nation’s development.

The TTR business model, unlike large scale tourism/entertainment conglomerates, is designed with community improvement in mind – it ensures that everyone benefits. It highlights the best of Jamaica and all its indigenous peculiarities to guarantee a unique experience, and they do this by sharing with you, the traveler, a ‘day in the life’ kind of vibe so you come away with a true understanding of what it’s all about. Sure, there’s reggae, rastas, beach side vibing and ganja blazing, but it’s nothing like you would see on TV and unlikely for you to experience any other way. With TTR, every travel dollar spent on Jamaican soil goes directly into the areas where it’s needed most – small businesses, needy individuals and dilapidated neighbourhoods – while the locals collaborate to give you a taste of the real deal. You get to go off the beaten path, learn the history, see from the inside how Jamaicans live and help to rebuild communities that need it while encouraging a cycle of interconnectivity and entrepreneurship.

As an extension of this, they’re also known for creating culturally relevant media and entertainment services that focus on the good the country has to offer in order to shift the negative world view that often taints tourist perception. This has led them to work with a number of organizations, entertainers and individuals to put out authentic, innovative content that represents the nation well.

A quick TripAdvisor search will reveal several traveler testimonials singing their praises and pledging to return – little wonder they’re at #6 of 52 things to do in Kingston! Between their expertly crafted day trips and impressive multi-day tours, must-do recommendations and vast network—from lodging spaces to entertainment industry links, food and reputable cultural curators—TTR has you covered. You cannot possibly be bored in Kingston and you will leave enlightened with a healthy dose of positivity, some cool new friends and a burning desire to go back!

Their aim is to inspire people across their island and all over the world to view Jamaica differently and help raise it to new heights one community at a time. They are also highly concerned with the promotion, protection and preservation of their heritage and natural resources, and are proud to contribute to nation-building through job creation; international marketing; increased spending within the communities; support for local entrepreneurs and environmental sustainability – i.e. helping tourists lodge locally to reducing contribution to the coastal degradation customary with all-inclusive resorts.

Touch The Road’s main goal, however, is to attract the global community by promoting a more attractive picture of Jamaica to the world, thus making a contribution to its growth. They also want to expand local horizons for travel, music and entertainment and incite responsiveness about the importance of preserving their heritage, protecting natural resources and believing in Jamaica. 

Look no further than their tour packages (they are pioneers of the nations first 100% community inclusive exchange) for evidence. The structure is testament to the way it works, with each tour being led by a trained community member, and speaking of their offerings, you’ve never seen anything quite like it.

Reggae fans will love their day trips, developed to take travelers into the belly of its inspiration via the hubs of years past. Explore Trench Town and Orange Street the TTR way or learn how to build a sound system and see it in action on their Strictly Rockers tour. Don’t have a full day to spare? Link up with their team and get to know the faces behind the mission – grab a meal and some laughs with them ahead of doing road to whatever event is on and popping that night – something always is. On the radar? Their soon-to-be-launched graffiti tour and a Blue Mountain trail trek… coffee, anyone?

If you have more than a day to spare, take some time to get to know Kingston with one of their multi-day tours. Travelling solo? Nomadic Souls is the way to go. Dancehall fan? Go with Dun di Dancehall. More into reggae? Roots, Rock, Reciprocity is the one for you. Wanna see more of Jamaica? TTR Your Way allows you to tell them your ideas and leave the planning to their team! Whatever your interests, they have it locked.

We can see why Raging Fyah partnered with them to organize this year’s staging and ensure a stellar pre-festival experience. Have you seen their Wickie Wackie Wanderers tour? For a great price you get to secure your festival passes, stay local, experience Kingston and St Thomas and meet Raging Fyah! It’s a more intensive mash-up of their regular offerings with insider access to the band making everything possible – interactive, adventurous, intimate and awesome… exactly why IRIE Magazine wouldn’t miss it. Take it from us, if you can make the trip to Bull Bay, don’t miss the opportunity to do #WWMFJA2015, seen?

TTR’s Core Team

Ashley Hyde (Asham), is a US Fulbright Fellow (2010-2011) and founder/Director Of Business Development & Chief Webmaster of Touch The Road. Having lived in Jamaica for the last five years, she has made her mark as an entertainment insider, web designer, graphic artist and more, with specific focus on the roots/rock/reggae scene.

Tameka Coley (Tami Tsansai), Director of PR & Marketing has over seven years of experience in journalism, marketing, event planning/ management and online content creation, with particular interest in lifestyle-related, niche-market projects. She’s also an incredible
makeup artist.

Kumar Bent (Kumz Fyah), CEO has carved his niche over the last 10 years as a songwriter, record producer and lead singer of the critically acclaimed Raging Fyah reggae band.

Basil Lounges (Bas Lion), Director of Tour Operations is a construction engineer and has been working as a project manager on various development sites throughout Jamaica. Having made a recent career change to the tourism industry he is perfectly poised to help grow TTR’s local on the ground operation.

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