Importance of Tourism Action Clubs In Schools Underscored

Tourism Director, Donovan White, has underscored the importance of establishing the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) Tourism Action Club (TAC) in schools islandwide.

“It’s a massive undertaking but it’s an important undertaking, we believe, because of the importance of what tomorrow means for Jamaica and for our tourism industry,” he said.

“There is no greater hope for us than to see the next generation of tourism entrepreneurs, tourism workers, tourism visionaries come out of our high schools. So, that’s why the Tourism Action Club is such an important part of our community-based as well as national-based activities… [so much so] that the JTB ensures that… every year, [we go] into our schools and [recruit] new members and [recruit] new schools,” Mr. White added.

He was addressing the finals of the 2024/25 JTB Junior Minister of Tourism Competition, held recently at Beaches Ocho Rios in Boscobel, St. Mary.

The TACs comprise secondary and tertiary students who meet to participate in activities designed to encourage a greater awareness of tourism-related issues.

The club grew out of the annual JTB summer programme for schools and is managed by the agency. The first TAC was established at Excelsior High School in 1995.

Mr. White noted that the tourism sector contributes 33 to 34 per cent of Jamaica’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employs more than a quarter of all persons in jobs.

“Tourism is [also] the number-one generator of foreign exchange earnings, so we stand at a very pivotal place as an industry to ensure the continued growth and development of our beloved Jamaica and, more importantly, as an important catalyst for change in our society,” the Director added.

Sixteen-year-old student of Manning’s School in Westmoreland, Taj Melbourne, emerged winner of the Junior Tourism Minister Competition, with schoolmate, Hassan Smith, placing second.

The annual public-speaking competition is open to students, aged 15 to 17, who must be members of their school’s Tourism Action Club to participate.