Treasure Beach positively impacted by the seismic shift in Tourism
THE PARISH of St Elizabeth observes another milestone as the Tourism Product Development Company Ltd. (TPDCo) celebrated 25 representatives from 14 entities and one individual completing the Private Security Regulation Authority (PSRA) training programme the Treasure Beach community.
Executive Director of TPDCo Dr Andrew Spencer, in his keynote address at the graduation ceremony, said that there was a seismic shift in Jamaica owing to the strides being made in the tourism sector.
“This is the thrust of an organisation that understands what a developed nation ought to look like.”
He lauded Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett for his foresight, particularly at a time when the ground is shifting in the industry worldwide. “We have to be prepared,” he argued.
The PSRA training programme, a by-product of the Spruce-Up Jamaica campaign, is an amalgamated initiative with the TPDCo and Minister of State, in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information Floyd Green.
The project is aimed at improving the compliance rate in south coast properties.
Spencer also said that the agency was pleased with the outcome that two licensed entities that participated will become compliant after obtaining certification.
Four of the 12 unlicensed entities are in the process of obtaining the outstanding documents to apply for a Jamaica Tourist Board licence, and eight remaining entities will be facilitated by the TPDCo until they are formalised.
He pledged to continue working with the entities so that none of them would be left behind.
Green, in his remarks, said that the initiative was important because the best way to build a tourism product was to start with the human resources.
He noted the importance of ensuring that all the entities are licensed and have certified employees in their establishment.
Spencer lauded the collaboration, stating that it was evidence that the
HOSPITALITY JAMAICA only way forward in the industry was through partnerships. “We are fostering an industry that strives for boundless inclusivity across the island with all individuals who contribute, even in the minutest manner, to the tourism product, and, by extension, Brand Jamaica.”
The TPDCo will maintain the relationship with Minister Green to continue to further develop the
| WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018 Mecca of community-based tourism initiatives, in Treasure Beach.
The initiative falls under the hand-holding services exercised by the TPDCo in an effort to ensure that all tourism entities in the sector are compliant with the various laws and regulations that are complementary to the Tourist Board Act.