TEN newly appointed tour guides for the resort town of Falmouth, Trelawny, on Tuesday completed two weeks of training in Team Jamaica and tour guiding skills.

The appointment of the tour guides in the Falmouth area is one of the initiatives to curb visitor harassment in the town.

The programme — the Falmouth Guide Services — was created through the efforts of Dr Horace Chang, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, who is also chairman of the Falmouth Re-Development Committee, along with the partnership of the Tourism Product Development Company Ltd (TPDCo), which provided Team Jamaica and tour guide training for the participants.

Minister Chang, the visionary for the Falmouth Guide Services programme, expressed his commitment to redevelop Falmouth by way of improving cruise shipping, which has an impact on the tourism sector, and will provide job opportunities for Jamaicans. “You have made Falmouth what it is, and it is only appropriate that you can participate in the economic activity that gives you a sense of involvement and the monetary benefits that come along with it,” he told the graduating tour guides during his address.

Dr Andrew Spencer, executive director of TPDCo, charged the graduates to perform their duties with due diligence as they contribute to the growth and development of the tourism sector.

“As tour guides you have the responsibility to educate both the visitors and locals about the importance of the industry. You have a responsibility to talk about the history, the heritage, culture, and what is unique and diverse about us as a people,” Dr Spencer said.

The Falmouth Guide Services programme is the first of many initiatives by Dr Chang to redevelop Falmouth. Some of the other projects include improving the craft traders’ area, sensitisations and consultations with stakeholders, increase in public health inspections, and a security system attached to the municipal corporation to assist in the efforts to curb harassment.

The activities surrounding the redevelopment of Falmouth are expected to benefit the town and the country. Tourism represents a key element of growth in the area, as Falmouth is known for its busy cruise port and unique Georgian style architecture, features which Dr Chang plans to utilise to attract more visitors.

The plans to redevelop Falmouth will include partnerships with agencies such as the Port Authority of Jamaica, the Falmouth Municipal Corporation, the Urban Development Corporation, and TPDCo.