Hospitality Training School for the West

Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett has announced that a hospitality training school is to be built in Montego Bay, St. James.
Outlining projects to further boost the tourist industry in Jamaica, Minister Bartlett told representatives of Jamaican and Caribbean media houses in South Florida last Friday (Sept. 21), that while the school would function as a hotel, it is intended to increase and prepare skilled personnel for all aspects of the tourist industry.
The Minister also announced the establishment of a craft design school in western Jamaica to enhance the authenticity of local craft production as well as show the high standard of creative genius of the Jamaican people.
The country, he said, has to be prepared for a tourism renaissance by lifting the level of production, improving the quality of service and providing a greater level of competence. In addition, Jamaicans must benefit fully from every dollar spent in the industry, he said.
Outlining other developments to take place in the tourist areas, the Minister spoke of preservation in the eco-system, identifying Fern Gully area in St. Ann to become a ‘bush garden’ area, as a tourist attraction, and re-routing vehicular traffic.
He also mentioned that Port Antonio would be transformed into an upscale centre of the tourist industry, accommodating boutique ships, and that plans were also in place to address the restructuring of Port Royal as part of the overall tourism development programme.
Turning to the Diaspora, Mr. Bartlett cited the relationship with tourism, and the vital areas of linkage, such as the Diaspora being a market, and Jamaicans being the first contact or impression of the island. He further reiterated the importance of the Diaspora to Jamaica’s economic development, through investment opportunities in the tourism sector.
Prior to the media presentation, the Minister also held meetings with cruise line executives and was introduced to the staff of the Jamaica Tourist Board in Miami.
Accompanying the Minister were Director of the Jamaica Tourist Board, Basil Smith and Director General in the Ministry, Carole Guntley.