JCDC and TPDCo Sign MOU to Facilitate Training for Contestants in Festival Queen Competition

Contestants in the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition are to benefit from training and exposure through a partnership between the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) and the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo).

Both entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Thursday (May 30), at the offices of the TPDCo, in Kingston.

The MOU will last until May 29, 2026, with an option for renewal.

It will see the TPDCo utilising its offices and training personnel across the country’s seven destination areas to implement this training effectively.

Executive Director, TPDCo, Wade Mars, said that the aim is to equip the young women participating in the Competition with the knowledge and skills needed to become outstanding ambassadors for Jamaica’s rich cultural and tourism heritage.

“Our collaboration with the JCDC is built on a shared vision of fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Jamaica’s tourism products and cultural assets,” said Mr. Mars.

“By formalising the arrangement, we are setting the stage for a structured and effective framework to deliver comprehensive tourism product knowledge and soft skills training,” he added.

Among the objectives of the MOU are to educate contestants about the history of Jamaica and the motivations of visitors, to foster an awareness of the importance of tourism to the national economy; to improve knowledge and understanding of the tourism sector and sensitise participants on the importance of HIV/AIDS awareness within the tourism sector.

Persons who complete the programme will receive certificates of participation, recognising their achievement and readiness to represent Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage.

Meanwhile, Executive Director, JCDC, Lenford Salmon, welcomed the signing of the MOU, noting that it will “enrich our tourism landscape by integrating and promoting our rich cultural heritage”.

He indicated that by working together, both agencies will create authentic experiences for visitors, thereby fostering deeper connections with the Jamaican culture.

“This collaboration will elevate our national identity and foster the image of Jamaica as a premier cultural tourism destination,” said Mr. Salmon, adding that it will also “produce a cadre of young women who can carry the nation’s torch as it shines brightly”.

The Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition began in 1963 as the ‘Miss Jamaica Beauty Contest’, but the need for a greater emphasis on cultural awareness prompted a shift in focus in 1975.

The Competition has grown over the years to become the premier forum for intelligent, culturally aware and poised young women seeking a platform for their contribution to nation-building.