Ministry of Tourism

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The Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) is targetting community groups islandwide, which are involved in tourism activities, to participate in Team Jamaica - the mandatory training and certification programme for persons employed or associated with the hospitality and tourism sector.

Speaking with JIS News, Executive Training Manager at TPDCo, Hugh Shim said that the company is delivering formal training to community groups that are engaged in small tourism projects, such as tour guiding, hiking, and nature walks.

Training has already begun in areas such as Maroon Town and neighbouring districts, Dolphin Head, Albert Town, Bunkers Hill and other communities in Manchester and St. Thomas.

"It is our strong belief that the tourism product must first be experienced, sampled and accepted by our people, as it enhances their ability to market the services and facilities with pride to our visitors," Mr. Shim said.

He added that the main purpose of the programme is to "create a quality tourism team, aimed at building team spirit, pride in self and country, and to certify participants as trained tourism personnel."

The training modules cover tourism awareness, customer service, self-development, Jamaican history, geography, attractions, culture (cuisine and music), environmental awareness, a challenge quiz, and an oral presentation.

The Team Jamaica course lasts for two weeks at a cost of $3,500.00 per person and facilitates 12 to 25 participants at each session.

To date, TPDCo has trained approximately 25,000 persons under the programme, including hotel executives, waiters, front office attendants, and security personnel. It is anticipated that all 70,000 workers in the tourism sector will be exposed to training and certification.

The programme was developed in 1997 by an Advisory Council comprising both private and public sector tourism organizations, including the then Ministry of Industry and Tourism, TPDCo, the Jamaica Tourist Board, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, the HEART Trust/NTA, and the Chambers of Commerce.

For further information on the Team Jamaica programme, persons may contact TPDCo at (876) 968-3441/3626 or visit the website at: www.tpdco.org .

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