An old Irish proverb says, “You will never
plow a field if you only turn it over in your
mind.” And this is true. Over this past year
TPDCo has been able to plough several fields
some new and some not so new. We have in
instances physically gone out there to get the
weeding, nurturing and the ploughing done.
We have watered the tourism vineyard and
we have contributed in no small way to the
harvest of four million visitors achieved and
earnings of over U$3B to date. We have been
able to do more than just visualize, we have
helped to actualize for the advancement
of the tourism sector and Jamaica.
The Ministry of Tourism, our minister and
our teams in all the agencies and all our
stakeholders must be applauded for this
milestone achievement.
This brings our
Ministry’s 5 for 5 for 5 goals within striking
distance. That is 5 million visitors in 5 years
with earnings of 5 Billion dollars. As we go
forward let’s keep the momentum going
and understand how important TPDco’s role
is, in the backend of this tourism machinery.
Several initiatives come to mind that we can
be proud of. Our Tourism Service Excellence
Awards which recognize and reward those
who consistently display high touch service will
accept nominations up to December 22. Ex-
ceptional service is what will help to distinguish
our destination and we look forward to the
next staging in March 2018. Interventions
that we have made in Falmouth in the form
of training, to give a sense of belonging and
worth to individuals who may have otherwise
been seen as harassers and the monitoring of
contract carriage operators to improve the
seamlessness of the visitor experience are also
noteworthy.
Our recently concluded Craft Fairs which showcased
the new trainees in a variety of media from coconut
and fiber, to tie dye and papier mache provided an
avenue to showcase and sell authentic craft and to
tell the stories of our people. Developments with Team
Jamaica which will see the programme providing
even greater coverage with improved partners
that have even greater capacity and reach.
Recycling initiatives recently implemented by the
Ministry in schools in Negril and Falmouth will see
TPDCo taking on this challenge in a sustainable way
in the future. The staging of the UNWTO Conference
on Job Creation and Inclusive Growth, a first
for the Caribbean and of which we were also
a part, was hailed as highly successful. I would
like to especially commend our projects team
which worked relentlessly on the elegant corridor
ensuring pristine aesthetics for the conference.
Our strides in community and heritage tourism which
help to galvanize the average destination resident
to feel included in this industry are welcomed. The
launch of the JCTI, the partnerships with institutions
such as the Edna Manley School for the Visual and
Performing Arts for the establishment of the Craft
Development Institute and the Travel Foundation for
its Warm Welcome programme are received with
much enthusiasm for their significance. Our on-going
resort maintenance programme, which has kept our
resort towns attractive, rehabilitation road work in
Treasure Beach and the launch of our “CUM YAH”
anti-harassment video which will assist in sensitiz-
ing our people about the importance of the tourism
industry give us joy and so much more. I am pleased
to have joined this team at such an opportune time
and feel blessed to be a part of this movement.
Team TPDCo I encourage us all as the New Year
approaches to continue to put shoulders to the
wheel, leave no stone unturned and continue to
give of our “bestest” to our island home.
From my home to your home Seasons Greetings and
best wishes for 2018.
Dr Andrew Spencer
Executive Director
TPDCo