Finalists in Tourism Excellence Awards named

MONTEGO BAY — Approximately 30 individuals and 22 businesses from Jamaica’s resort areas were named as finalists in the 2010 Tourism Service Excellence programme, at a reception at Secrets Resort and Spa, Montego Bay, Thursday.

The list included 10 individuals and 5 businesses from Montego Bay; 8 individuals and 5 businesses from Negril; 6 individuals and 4 businesses from Ocho Rios; 4 individuals and 5 businesses from Kingston; two businesses from Portland; and two individuals and three businesses from the south coast.

The awards programme recognizes and honours excellence within all aspects of the tourism industry, and is in its third year of existence.

According to Executive Director of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), Earl Patrick, since its inception, the finalists have proven to be pacesetters and sources of inspiration within the industry.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, said that awarding excellence within the industry was an indication of the many good things happening in the sector. He noted the need for continued renewal and improvements, adding that tourism demands changes and innovation.

“In truth and in fact, what we are selling is not a static product; it is not a product which, having been designed today, with minimal modification will remain with its utility value ad-infinitum. It is a product that responds to the taste, desires, emotions, feelings, aspirations, dreams and hopes of peoples of varied cultures, dispersed across the four corners of the earth”, he stated.

He said that the Jamaican stakeholders have a responsibility to make the product exciting, alluring, satisfying and sought after, daily.

He said that surveys have shown that good quality service represents 60 percent of a visitor’s expectations, adding that destinations with good quality service will stand out. He said that Jamaica’s service quality has enabled it to have an enviable record of repeat visitors.

Turning his attention to the awardees, the tourism minister pointed out that the announcement of the winners, in both the individual and organization sections, will take place on Saturday, June 4, at a grand affair.

He told the awardees that they cannot be paid in pecuniary terms, a sufficiency of dollars and cents to truly reflect what they have contributed to the industry.

By Bryan Miller,  JIS Regional Office