Because the Jamaica Vacationer Board (JTB) marks its milestone seventieth anniversary, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is putting the highlight firmly on the trade’s biggest asset: its staff. At a celebration held on the Onerous Rock Lodge in New York, the Minister unveiled a strategic framework that facilities human capital because the cornerstone of Jamaica’s future tourism success.
“Our individuals have at all times been Jamaica’s biggest asset, and this technique formally acknowledges that fact,” mentioned Minister Bartlett. “To make sure the resilience of the sector, we are going to construct a tourism ecosystem the place each employee – from housekeepers to resort managers, tour guides to transportation suppliers – has the instruments, coaching, and alternatives to thrive.”
The newly introduced initiative is anchored by three core pillars aimed toward remodeling Jamaica’s tourism workforce:
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Coaching and Certification to upskill staff and reshape the labor market,
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Housing assist for trade staff, and
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Expanded entry to the prevailing Tourism Staff Pension scheme.
“This all falls underneath our drive to construct human capital and make the mandatory funding in our people who find themselves our most iconic attraction,” Minister Bartlett defined. “As tourism continues to evolve, our staff will want the talents to adapt and meet the rising calls for. When our staff are geared up, our service requirements and resilience will contribute to the sector’s future proofing.”
The Jamaica Vacationer Board has performed a pivotal position in shaping the island’s world picture over the previous seven a long time, establishing Jamaica as a number one warm-weather vacation spot. In 2024, the island welcomed 4.3 million guests, with projections pointing towards 5 million arrivals in 2025.
Director of Tourism Donovan White echoed the Minister’s deal with sustainability by means of empowerment. “That is about recognizing that sustainable tourism is determined by sustainable livelihoods for the individuals who make our trade potential. When our staff prosper, our guests have higher experiences, communities profit, and our complete nation grows stronger,” White mentioned.
With its forward-looking workforce technique, Jamaica is positioning itself not solely as a regional chief in tourism numbers but additionally as a mannequin for inclusive, people-centered growth within the Caribbean.
