Profile: Mark Pike

Mark Pike is a third generation tourism industry practitioner; brought up on the passions, principles and practices of hospitality and community tourism. This has climaxed to four years of active practical, professional experience in the industry, which included small hotel operations management and tour guiding. He is currently a Director of Countrystyle International and its Community Tourism Network, which includes deep involvement in the workings of Community Tourism development in Jamaica. He was an official (HEART/NTA certified) Community Tourism trainer in the CIDA funded Jamaica Community Tourism Project. He is also one of the founding Directors of the Manchester Wellness Foundation, largely responsible for assisting in conceptualizing the Manchester Wellness Festival in 2004.

Mark Pike is a graduate of West Indies College High (now Victor Dixon) in 2000. He continued his educational career at De Carteret College and after only one year at the institution he received Head Boy in upper six, also receiving the Principals and Citizens Awards. He completed 5 A levels in Sociology, History, Communication Studies, Management of Business and Caribbean Studies; also contributing in coaching and playing cricket, debating and presiding as president of the Tourism Action Club for the two years he was present at De Carteret College. Mark is a former Saint International model and has a deep interest in art, sports, writing and all things which express the human spirit.

A strong patriotic responsibility to his country and the people contributes to his focus, enthusiasm and drive; filled with the mission to make a significant contribution to the communities of Jamaica, especially his home community of Mandeville, Manchester. His background, youth and outlook for the future place’s him as an important person in the continuing progress and tradition of Community Tourism & Hospitality in Jamaica----well into the future.

He has recently returned to Jamaica from Johnson & Wales University in Florida, where he spent a year studying Food & Beverage Management. He is now enrolled at The University of The West Indies completing Bachelor of Science degree in Tourism Management in the faculty of Social Sciences.