Minister says Tourism Product Must Be Improved

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, has argued that for tourism to be sustainable, the product must be substantially improved.

Touring several places of interest and attractions in Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth on February 19, which are slated for improvement, the Minister spoke of the great potential of tourism, and emphasized the need for the training of persons in the industry, which should  have a positive impact on the sector.

Some attractions visited were: Goshen Sports Complex, Braes River Travel Halt, Appleton Rum Tour, the first Moravian Missionary Settlement and the Darliston Botanical Gardens.

“We are convinced that the total development of tourism has to include the development of the human resource.  Anything that we can do in increasing the training of those persons working in the sector is going to be good for Jamaica’s tourism,” the Minister said.

He noted that the Goshen Sports Complex in St. Elizabeth is an important community edifice, which can facilitate culinary and hospitality training, as well as house a home work centre.

The Minister also informed that plans are in place to establish a museum at the historic burial ground located in Carmel, St. Elizabeth, which was the site of the first Moravian missionary settlement in the island.

“One of the main roles of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) is to ensure the preservation of these historical sites, which hold such significance,” Dr. McNeill said.

The Minister pointed out that the Ministry will be working very closely with the Members of Parliament to prioritize their tourism projects that need to be developed.

“We will be making a commitment to implement several of these, as they will enable persons within communities to understand the importance of tourism and to benefit in a real way,” Dr. McNeill added.