Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the ‘Spruce Up Jamaica’ tourism summer internship programme has been playing a major role in providing well-trained and dedicated professionals for the hospitality sector.

Under the programme, which was launched in the summer of 2008, young people ages 17 to 25, are placed in tourism-related entities where they are trained in various areas of the industry while receiving a stipend.

It is being undertaken by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) through funding from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF).

Speaking to the interns at a rally held on Thursday (August 11) at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James, Minister Bartlett said the programme has been gaining momentum over the years, moving from less than 1,000 participants to over 5, 000.

“Over the period we have spent a little over $100 million. The purpose of this programme…is not just to give exposure to our youth…but to use it as an opportunity to open your minds to a broad spectrum of activities that create an experience that people travel across the world to enjoy,” he pointed out.

Minister Bartlett told the participants that they have an important role to play in the growth of the tourism industry and urged them to use their placement to help build brand Jamaica, which is ranked number one in the Caribbean by respected travel company, Trip Advisor.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Minister informed that during 2015, Jamaica welcomed 3.7 million visitors, with earnings of US$2.5 billion, making the sector the largest foreign exchange contributor.

A total of 2.1 million tourists have visited the island’s shores from January to June this year and US$1.3 billion has been earned, which is the highest ever for the sector over a six-month period.
Minister Bartlett said that there are 90,000 Jamaicans directly employed in tourism, with another 250, 000 indirect jobs.

Source: Jamaica Information Service