Crawford wants more emphasis on tourism

Mark Titus, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:With other countries on par with Jamaica's banana and sugar production, State Minister for tourism and entertainment, Damion Crawford, has called for greater emphasis to be placed on tourism as the vehicle to grow the local economy.

"One of the areas that we have as a country is a competitive advantage in tourism, and that becomes even more important with globalisation," he said during the graduation ceremony for 75 employees of the Grand Palladium and Lady Hamilton Resorts in Hanover.

"Countries have to be more focussed. There are other countries that grow and sell banana and sugar cheaper than we can, so if we are going to survive into the future, so your kids can come and enjoy this country, we will have to look at somethings that we are good at and one thing that we are good at is tourism."

The employees achieved levels one and two Heart Trust/NTA National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica (NVQJ) certificate of completion and letter of competence in Lucea on Thursday.

Minister Crawford stressed that while Jamaica is held in high regard due to its superior service offerings and its people; there must be measures to safeguard against complacency and its working population must continuously improve itself.

better people

"There is no way you can have a better country, without having better people," Crawford added, "Unless it is felt that a better country is to have nice smooth roads and you going on a nice road to nowhere; or to have pretty houses but you don't live in any; or to have a nice car you cannot drive.

"A real improved country is when the people are better off, and therefore the people must seek to improve themselves."

Under the agreement between the Grand Palladium, Lady Hamilton and HEART/NTA, employees from the food and beverage department participate in a six month, on-the-job training course, after which each participant is assessed by personnel from HEART.

A new agreement has been signed off and the next batch of employees from the Spanish-owned resort will commence training in October.