ST JAMES, Jamaica – Over 5,000 young Jamaicans have so far benefitted under the Ministry of Tourism’s Spruce Up Jamaica Tourism Summer Intern Programme, at a cost of over $100 million.

According to a release from the tourism ministry, over 700 interns were assigned to work in over 100 partner organisations from various sub sectors such as transportation, accommodations, attractions, water sports, the travel trade, and other sectors linked to tourism.

Establishments to which interns are assigned have the option of keeping them on for longer periods and this has happened for several of the interns, the ministry release said.

 Minister Bartlett said there was more to the programme than exposing young people to tourism “as a discreet economic activity, but to use it as an opportunity to open your minds to a broad spectrum of activities that create an experience that people travel across the world to enjoy at a price.” In that regard, he challenged them to play their part in ensuring that Jamaicans and visitors feel safe in resort areas and enhancing the sanitation and cleanliness of the country.

 According to the Bartlett, “it’s a mental attitude that we are honing, culturing and building in this industry and it is you the young people that will help us to redefine the great experience that Jamaica is for our visitors.”

Programme participant, Shavone Smith hoped that in impacting their lives, it would also help them to become agents of change while Lydia Denny said “it was a great experience” which taught her to respect others. Also, Chad Anthony Ellis learnt the value of good customer service.