Andray Fletcher takes on local adventures with Tours of Greatness
THEY SAY jobs fill the pockets, but adventures fill the soul. Andray Fletcher started out as a route taxi operator in Montego Bay, St James. Seeing that the ‘Second City’ is considered the tourist capital of the island, the request for transport soon transcended to calls for scenic views and excursions. It was there that his business, Tours of Greatness, was born.
“I don’t just take my clients from one destination to another. They are receiving an informative sightseeing experience. I will stop at historical sites and give them lessons on the locations,” he told Saturday Living.
His deportment, attire and pleasant disposition while being a taxi driver made him a standout among his colleagues. Customers and passengers would encourage him to work with JUTA tours.
So for Fletcher, making this decision to become a private tour guide was a no-brainer. A fan of driving and socialising, it helps that he is a proud Jamaican who enjoys sharing the island’s rich culture with others.
“I love our culture and our people. I grew up hearing this saying, ‘We likkle but we tallawah’ and it’s true. We stand out, so I am always excited to play my part bringing that awareness to those who want to see, hear, taste, smell and feel what the island has to offer,” he revealed.
Registering his company under the name, Tours of Greatness Ja, persons are able to book an outing with him directly through his Instagram page, “I also operate from the Breathless Resort. So if someone who is staying there should come to the lobby, I’m one of the drivers who will take them to do excursions, tours and city highlights.”
Some of the local hot spots or hidden gems on his tour radar include the fire-on-water in St Ann, which he described as the most breathtaking experience, “Tourists always marvel about the water igniting the fire. The history lesson behind its phenomenon is equally amazing.” He also made special mention of Blue Hole, Dunn’s River Falls, Spanish Bridge, Blue Adventure Tours and Chukka Tours in the same parish, as well as Missile Adventure Park in Hanover as other beloved sites.
Additionally, activities worth exploring on the adventure list consist of limestone massage, river rafting and horseback riding in the ocean, “Now, there is the new sensation of clear kayaking, where females and couples engage in a drone photoshoot. They love it,” he highlighted.
Fletcher has also done some sightseeing of his own, visiting several countries in the Caribbean, namely Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, and Barbados. In the United States, he has been to New York, Texas, Michigan, Florida and Chicago.
But closer to home, he recounted having an unforgettable visit to Norwich, Portland. “I must commend Chef O’Shane of O’Shea’s 876 Kitchen. I enjoyed that beach picnic experience.” He listed Floyd’s Pelican Bar as one of his favourite spots, along with Rick’s Cafe and Seven Miles Beach in Negril.
Those who have had the opportunity of taking his tours have become family friends. “Once they are happy, so am I,” he said, adding, “I go above and beyond for my clients to ensure that they are safe. My motto is, ‘love, vibes, safety’. Sometimes, when guests reach out to me, the first thing they ask is if they’re going to be safe. Safety comes first with Tours of Greatness Ja; that’s my first priority. Then they bring the vibes, I bring the love, and together, we create memories that will last a lifetime.”
Despite the challenges that come with being an entrepreneur in the tourist industry, Fletcher continues to be fuelled by his love and passion for tours. “I do this from my heart.”
Noting that he has never been to the parish of St Thomas, he hopes to visit one day in the near future, “I would also love to go to the motherland, Africa.”
For those who are looking to travel across the island but are unsure of where to start, this experienced tour guide recommends that you read and research before going on any adventure, “The world is right at your fingertips so read, do your research and make the best choices.”