Government of Jamaica
(JIS) Students and teachers from various institutions across the island participated in a virtual tourism youth expo and career fair on Thursday (March 4, 2021), under the theme ‘Tourism in the new normal, the gateway to success’.
The event, hosted by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), was held via the Zoom platform and streamed on the agency’s YouTube channel along with the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Facebook page and website.
In his remarks, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, commended TPDCo for staging the expo despite the challenges caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19).
“I applaud TPDCo for their determination to mold our young minds through this important activity. These times have allowed us to put on our creative hats to ensure that those who wish to have a tourism-focused career can proceed in bigger and better ways,” Minister Bartlett said.
He said it is important to provide the students with the necessary information and skills, as they will one day become a part of the tourism sector, which employs close to 170,000 persons in various areas and generates more than 200,000 indirect jobs.
“We create these activities because we care. We went the extra mile to find the experienced practitioners and the stalwarts to ensure that you receive accurate and adequate information,” Minister Bartlett said.
Acting Executive Director of the TPDCo, Stephen Edwards, said that the event will enable participants to explore the “myriad of careers that are a part of this vital sector”.
“Today, as we explore many areas in tourism, including tourism marketing, cruise tourism, the accommodation sector, training and more, I would like to implore you to open your minds to countless possibilities,” he added.
He said that TPDCo had created many training and skills programmes for those who wish to propel their tourism careers as well as those striving for personal growth.