TPDCO LAUNCHES UPDATED
HERITAGE MAP OF JAMAICA
TPDCo, on Wednesday October 18, 2017 launched the revised
Heritage Map of Jamaica. The presentation of the Map was conducted
at the Falmouth Heritage Expo in Water Square, Trelawny.
Put on by the Ministry of Tourism, the expo was designed
to improve knowledge of Falmouth’s history and heritage.
The Heritage Map, an initiative of TPDCo was first created in 1997
to help locals and visitors to navigate their way around the island.
The Map which includes historical information and heritage sites
across the island was again updated in 2007, and the latest
version in 2017. This Heritage Map is the first of its kind and Jamaica
is the only Caribbean country to undertake such an initiative.
The newly updated Heritage Map has been diversified to include
information to suit the varying interests of visitors and locals. The
informational tool boasts greater interactivity and comprehensiveness,
such as the categorization of Jamaica’s Heritage assets:
Natural-which
highlights
rivers,
beaches
and
waterfalls
and Material -which details historic sites across the island.
Speaking at the launch event, Minister of Tourism, Honourable Edmund
Bartlett highlighted the importance of heritage for individual and
national development. According to Minister Bartlett “the direct
impact that the country’s heritage has on the tourism sector through the
authentic experience it offers for visitors is boundless. Heritage is not just
a historic note; it is a definition of who you are and how you came to be.”
Dr. Andrew Spencer, Executive Director of TPDCo, in his address to
the audience expressed his confidence in the map to contribute
to the growth of the tourism sector “The Heritage Map is not only timely,
but comprehensive. The Map will not only benefit international
tourists who contribute to a large portion of our country’s economy,
but our locals who are also invited to utilize the map.” He said.