TPDConnect December 2017 | Page 20

TPDCO AT THE UNWTO GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON JOBS AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH ‘ TPDCo signs MOU with Travel Foundation A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between TPDCo and International Sustainable NGO, the Travel Foundation during day two of the conference. The agreement will enable the local tourism industry to reap even more benefits, primarily in the areas of craft and attractions. The partnership seeks to also create avenues for service providers to further develop their services and products, as they urge visitors to venture outside their resorts and discover the many gems Jamaica has. The partnership is envisioned to build on the recently launched Warm Welcome campaign, which aims to introduce visitors to the many sites and attractions that Montego Bay has to offer, thereby allowing them to have a well-rounded stay. Dr. Andrew Spencer believes that the union between TPDCo and the Travel Foundation will only have positive impact on Jamaica’s tourism sector, making specific mention of the warm welcome campaign, he said “The Warm Welcome campaign is about utilizing our greatest asset – the passion all Jamaicans have for their place of home – and sharing this with our guests. And by encouraging people to explore beyond their hotels, local businesses and traders are more likely to benefit from the tourist spend. We intend to roll-out this best practice approach to visitor engagement in other resorts across Jamaica, with the Travel Foundation’s support.” The Travel Foundation has been working within the local tourism sector. Their other projects include training for Craft Producers at the Harbour Street Craft Market in Montego Bay and a walking map of Montego Bay which provides detailed information about the sites and places to visit while staying in Jamaica’s tourist capital. Dr. Spencer and CEO Travel Foundation Sali Fenton(3rd left) pause for a photo following the signing of the MOU between TPDCO and the Travel Foundation. Sharing in the moment are witnesses (extreme left) Eleanor Hussey, Strategic Relations Manager, Travel Foundation and Ian Dear, Chairman- TPDCo. The initiative forsees improvements for craft producers and attractions, which will help to further improve tourism in Montego Bay and inturn, build out Jamaica’s tourism sector. The signing was conducted on day 2 of the UNWTO Global Confer- ence for Jobs and Inclusive Growth. ‘ MOU signed to provide training accreditation for JCTI participants The American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), one of the key partners of the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) signed a Memoradum of Understanding to enhance the JCTI training programme by providing professional acceditation for the participants who will be dispersed across various hotels around Jamaica. The signing took place on the first day of the world class UNWTO conference. The training has already taken lift with its first intake of 35 candidates for the pilot, which is scheduled to end in January 2018, after which the programme should see full establishment. Minister Bartlett and Ed Kastli (3rd left), Vice President of International Sales, American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) sign the MOU between the Ministry of Tourism and AHLEI to bolster training programmes provided by JCTI. Sharing in the moment are (L-R Dr. Carey Wallace, Executive Director, Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) Ian Dear, Chairman, TPDCo, Dr. Andrew Spencer, Executive Direc- tor, TPDCo, Godfrey Dyer, Chairman, TEF and (standing) Carol-Rose Brown, Director, JCTI