Tourism celebrates 3025 years of service to the industry

Tourism Stalwarts recognised for invaluable service

ATOTAL of 56 tourism industry professionals, who have completed at least 50 years of service in the sector, were recently recognised for their invaluable service,at the first annual Golden Tourism Day Awards.

During the awards ceremony, which took place at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, the recipients and their families were treated to a formal dinner, where they received trophies, citations, and other tokens of appreciation for their years of service, which ranged from 50 to 67 years – a combined total of 3025 years.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Tourism Hon Edmund Bartlett said: “Our honourees this evening have given 3025 years of collective service in tourism, and for that, we’re forever grateful and indebted. We laud you for your consistency and commitment to delivering service excellence, which remains a hallmark of Jamaica’s tourist industry.

“For a half-century or more, you have helped to define and shape Jamaica’s tourist industry, having provided such great service to the many visitors who the destination has welcomed over the years.”

The minister noted that the idea to host the event was born out of realisation that tourism has the over the last 50 years, evolved into the most important industry in the world today.

KEEPS GROWING

“Fifty years ago, some 400,000 visitors came to the island and spent in the region of US$87,000, and our accommodation sector comprised about 5,100 rooms. Because of your efforts, we have grown and keep growing. In fact, this year, we are going to see pretty close to 4.4 million visitors, and they are spending US $3.3 billion,” said the minister.

The minister commended the honourees for their contribution to the growth of the industry and reassured them that policies and legislation were in place to secure the future of members in the hospitality sector for years to come.

“We believe that the time is now right to look at this great industry that you have helped to create. We will build a new architecture that is going to ensure that the efforts and legacies of all of you are sustained in the constant development of this economy and that the people of this country move from poverty to prosperity.”

He also requested a moment of silence during his official remarks to acknowledge stalwarts who were invited to attend the event but who passed away before the official ceremony.

“I think it is appropriate for us to pause to reflect on those who should have been here for this compendium of greatness that we have here this evening but were called by the strong arm of the divine. Specifically, I want to acknowledge the former Minister of Tourism, Ambassador Frank Pringle. May his soul rest in peace,” said Bartlett.

The event was the premier event to kick-start the high season, which begins on December 15 each year.

After collecting his award for 51 years of service to the tourism industry, Raft Captain Jasper Roberts (centre) paused for a photograph with Director of Tourism Donovan White (left) and Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett.

Royal Shop’s Allan Daswani (right), the only living non-inherited duty-free retailer in Jamaica, recognised for 50 years of business in tourism. Here he is being interviewed by Business Access TV.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett (right) presents an award to Pishu Chandiram for 67 years of service to the tourism industry. The occasion was the inaugural staging of the Golden Tourism Day Awards, which took place at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Sunday, December 16. The ceremony lauded tourism industry professionals, who have completed at least 50 years of service in the sector.