KINGSTON, Jamaica — Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has been repositioned to foster the growth and development of the tourist industry’s human capital.

“We don’t have oil, gold or precious stones, but millions of people across the globe still visit our shores to experience our greatest resource — our people. So it is our duty to ensure that their needs are taken care of and that they receive the best opportunities for learning so that we can continuously improve the tourism industry here in Jamaica,” Bartlett said in a release from his ministry today.

He was addressing awardees at TEF’s staff awards dinner recently, the ministry said. 

Bartlett told awardees that the ministry has undertaken key TEF-funded projects such as the Craft Development Institute (CDI), to be completed for September 2018; Jamaica Centre for Tourism and Innovation, which will target training and certification for the hospitality industry’s labour force; and the tourism worker’s pension scheme, which is set to benefit tourism workers upon retirement.

The minister also praised the operation of the fund. 

“TEF is one of the best administered agencies in Government. I am so proud of all the work they have done over the years to improve the country’s tourism product. So far, the agency has spent some $30 billion to improve infrastructure, preserve our heritage sites and to enhance the country’s overall visitor experience. I know that the work we will continue to do moving forward will be equally impactful, as we seek to harness those values which tourism has, to create the prosperity that we seek for our nation,” he said.

The TEF was established on May 1, 2005 for the sole purpose of implementing the recommendations emanating from the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development, 2002.