KINGSTON, Jamaica — An estimated $50 million has been allocated to accommodate the nearly 1800 students who are expected to participate in the newly transformed Tourism Summer Internship (TSIP)/ Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) programme.

Implemented by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund, the all-island six week summer programme provides professional experience for high school and tertiary students between the ages 16-25.

According to the TPDCO in a release, this year the collaboration will enable even more students to gain work experience in tourism and its related sub sectors, adding that over 200 businesses will be housing the students.

In keeping with the objective to expose young academics to the tourism industry, prior to their placement, the students participate in a mandatory one-day orientation session where they are sensitised on topics such as tourism awareness, customer service, cultural and security awareness, marketing of brand Jamaica and professional etiquette.

Speaking at the TSIP/HOPE rally held yesterday at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett underscored the value of tourism and the importance of exposing a younger target audience to the benefits

“We are continually building the capacity of our people to create the come to mind experience. The programme is a means to transmit knowledge to you (interns) which you will be able to pass on. It also enables you to see the economic connection between tourism and employment. Currently we employ 117, 000 persons across the spectrum and another 300,000 who are employed in related sectors.”

Bartlett charged the students to take advantage of the experience and learn from the industry service providers.

“Appreciate that you are not just going into hotels, you will be housed at some of the biggest and best providers of the experiences that the visitor comes to Jamaica for. In every area that you go, you will be functioning critically to contribute to the enhancement and development of the product.”