7 | TPDCONNECT AUGUST 2018
OVER 50 MILLION DOLLARS FOR TSIP/HOPE
A n estimated 50 Million Dollars has been allocated to accommodate the nearly 1800 students who are expected to
participate in the newly transformed Tourism Summer Internship (TSIP)/ Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment
(HOPE) programme. Implemented by the Tourism Product Development Company and funded by the Tourism
Enhancement Fund; the all - island 6 week summer programme provides professional experience for high school and
tertiary students between the ages 16-25. This year the collaboration will enable even more students to gain work
experience in tourism and its related sub sectors. Over 200 businesses will be housing the students. In keeping with
the objective to expose young academics to the tourism industry, prior to their placement, the students participate
in a mandatory one day orientation session where they are sensitized on topics such as tourism awareness, customer
service, cultural and security awareness, marketing of brand Jamaica and professional etiquette. Speaking at
the TSIP/HOPE rally held Thursday July 12, 2018 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, Minister of Tourism, Hon.
Edmund Bartlett underscored the value of tourism and the importance of exposing a younger target audience to the
benefits of tourism “We are continually building the capacity of our people to create the come to mind experience.
Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett along with the Montego Bay interns pause for a group photo. He is
joined by (front row, from left to right) Ruth Harris, Executive Training Manager, TPDCo, Megan Mollison, TPD-
Co Montego Bay based Training Manager, Dr. Dawn Lemonius, Training and Development Manager, Royalton
Blue Waters and White Sands, Dr. Carey Wallace, Executive Director Tourism Enhancement Fund, Montego
Bay interns, Dr. Andrew Spencer, Executive Director, TPDCo and Marline Stephenson Dalley, Community
Awareness Coordinator, TPDCo.