TPDCO PROVIDES 1.2 MILLION FOR CALABASH
The Tourism Product Development Company Limited
(TPDCo) has lent its support to this year’s staging of the
Calabash Literary festival. Providing funds of over one
million dollars, the partnership will add to the
organization’s efforts of boosting community tourism
in Jamaica.
The partnership with the Calabash organizers will also
enable publicity for TPDCo trained and certified craft
producers and artisans. This will give the local artists an
opportunity to showcase and sell their work to nearly
1000 persons who are expected to attend the free
festival later this year. The hosting of the festival in Jamaica’s community
tourism capital represents a model that currently forms
a key part of Jamaica’s tourism product strategy; TPD-
Co’s role, as per the Tourism Master plan includes inclu-
siveness and working with local communities as a way
of developing the wider tourism product.
Speaking at the cheque handover, held at TPDCo’s
headquarters in Kingston, Dr. Andrew Spencer, Executive
Director, TPDCo emphasized the importance of the
organization’s involvement in a festival such as Calabash,
and the leverage it will provide for community
tourism in Jamaica. The purpose of the boost of community tourism, high-
lighted in the organization’s mandate is also estab-
lished to open avenues for economic benefit for local
and small entrepreneurs who offer a unique, educa-
tional and authentic Jamaican experience.
“Community Tourism is the vehicle for development, and it
has to be the model that we fully immerse ourselves in. We
are excited to partner with the Calabash team as we work to
introduce a more intellectual and artistic side of Jamaica. It
is also fitting that the event will take place in Treasure Beach,
which is the home of community tourism, where individuals
can gain a homely and educational experience.” He said.
It is envisioned that the development of community
tourism, through key partnerships will communicate
the diversity of Jamaica’s tourism product, by appeal-
ing to the different types of visitors who holiday in the
island yearly.
The Calabash Festival is held at Treasure Beach on a
biennial basis. This year’s staging will be held June 1-3
2018. The festival will operate under the theme “Lit up”
and will feature celebrated female poets, including
Jamaica’s own poet laureate Lorna Goodison.
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Executive Director, Tourism Product Development Com-
pany Limited (TPDCo), (left) Dr. Andrew Spencer performs
the handover of 1.2 million dollars in funds to co-organizer
of the Calabash Festival, (right) Justine Henzell. They are
joined by TPDCo staff members (From left, Back row)
Director, Corporate Services Deron Dixon; Director,
Projects, Stephen Edwards; Financial Controller, Georgeia
Robinson – Wong; Craft Coordina tor, Violet Crutchley; and
Director, Product Development, Julian Patrick.