Several Activities Planned for Tourism Awareness Week
By: , September 8, 2014The Key Point:
The Facts
- Themed: ‘Tourism and Community Development’, the week will focus on the sector’s involvement in community activities and its contribution to Jamaica’s social and economic development.
- Director of Tourism, Paul Pennicook, said the theme “underscores the potential of tourism to empower people and provide them with the skills and opportunities to achieve change in their communities.”
The Full Story
The Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment will be participating in a slew of activities to observe Tourism Awareness Week, from September 21 to October 1.
Themed: ‘Tourism and Community Development’, the week will focus on the sector’s involvement in community activities and its contribution to Jamaica’s social and economic development.
Highlighting activities for the week at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on September 4, Director of Tourism, Paul Pennicook, said the theme “underscores the potential of tourism to empower people and provide them with the skills and opportunities to achieve change in their communities.”
Tourism Awareness Week will commence with the Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX 2014), which will be held from September 21 to 23, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.
The three-day trade show, Mr. Pennicook noted, is “the single most important business generator for the island’s tourism product, and brings together travel wholesalers and tour operators from Europe and the Americas with Jamaica’s leading tourism suppliers to conduct business negotiations.”
The Director pointed out that the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and the Social Development Commission (SDC) will be partnering with the Ministry to carry out some of the planned activities for the week.
“Children and teachers will be taken on visits to hotels, villas and attractions, while JHTA members will visit schools to make special presentations on the theme,” Mr. Pennicook pointed out.
Additionally, an essay competition will be organized for primary and high school students on aspects of the theme, and a seminar planned for representatives from community groups who are involved in community tourism projects.
On World Tourism Day, September 27, the Ministry and its agencies will host a Community Tourism Fun Day at the Milk River Hotel and Spa in Clarendon while a Tourism Awareness Week Church Service will be held in Ocho Rios on September 28.
Tourism Awareness Week 2014 will culminate on October 1 with a Community Tourism Familiarization Tour in the Cockpit Country, Trelawny.