TPDCO DESTINATION MANAGERS
RECEIVE SATELLITE PHONES
In light of Jamaica’ s vulnerability to disasters, the Destination Managers of the Tourism Product Development Company Limited( TPDCo) were presented with satellite phones at a handover ceremony. The presentation was made today by Minister of Tourism Honourable Edmund Bartlett at the Jamaica Tourist Board in Kingston.
The initiative to acquire satellite phones is a collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and the Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management( ODPEM) to develop disaster mitigation solutions, primarily through the establishment of a comprehensive disaster management framework which is managed by the Tourism Emergency Management Committee( TEMC).
The Ministry of Tourism has acquired six satellite phones at a cost of three million dollars. The phones, it is expected, will improve communication between the Ministry and its agencies, the wider resort areas and tourism stakeholders and partners. The phones will be particularly useful in the event of a disaster or emergency, and will be fully functional in remote settings.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Minister of Tourism, Honourable Edmund Bartlett highlighted that even though disruptions( disasters) are inevitable; it is the plans put in place that will enable a speedy recovery, particularly through the implementation of effective modes of communication.
“ Tourism is also the most resilient industry. We are stated to be the most ideal industry when it comes to quick recovery. This is partly due to the constant flow of visitors, there is no gestation period for tourism, it is immediate.”
Dr. Andrew Spencer, Executive Director of the TPDCo underscored the importance of Destination Assurance, which can be fully achieved through a resilient destination and expressed his confidence that the phones will be utilized in an effective manner by the Destination Managers.“ TPDCo as the destination assurance entity is very keen on ensuring that the future is a solid one. We build this future by looking at visitor safety programmes, training programmes, quality assurance and ensuring that the aesthetic programmes are also in place. For instance, our Product Development department has determined that every business proposal or plan must have a sustainability component.” He said. The Ministry of Tourism has committed to ensuring that the equipment are managed efficiently and effectively as the ministry takes the necessary steps to prepare for, respond to and recover from natural and man-made disasters.“ Tourism is especially vulnerable to disruptions, this is the reason we take a keen interest in building our capacity to deal with disasters. To ensure that the tourism sector can recover fast is central to the economic recovery pattern that Jamaica and the Caribbean should have. Communication is a central part of resilience building. The ability to bring modern, high technology application to our communication process is essential.” He said
Honourable Edmund Bartlett( centre) poses with a satellite phone along-side Destination Managers who were recipients of the phones.( From left) Antonnette Bernard, Destination Manager for the Ocho Rios region, Daryl Whyte-Wong for Portland and St. Thomas, Kenya Keddo-Laing for the Montego Bay region, Lionel Myrie for the Negril region, Lezley Bernard for the Kingston and Soath Coast region, Stainton Baker for the Falmouth region and Chairman of the Montego Bay Destination Assurance Council, John Byles. Sharing in the moment are( Back row, from left) Major Clive Davis, Director General, Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management( ODPEM), Dr. Carey Wallace, Executive Director, Tourism Enhancement Fund( TEF) and Dr. Andrew Spencer, Executive Director, Tourism Product Development Company Limited( TPDCo).