The following is the second of a two-part series. Part one was published in the Jamaica Observer on Monday, July 29.

Health and wellness are universally required by everyone. On a marketing trip to West Virginia some years ago, I did a presentation to a group of gerontologists whose primary concern surrounded access to quality health care in case of emergencies. It is not surprising to read that the United States has recently issued a warning to its citizens to be mindful about the absence of quality health care in Jamaica. In other words, quality health care ought to be a given when delivering the vacation experience. We have good friends 90 miles away who have demonstrated several times a willingness to assist in building out quality medical services.

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) across a broad spectrum of health care is heralding a new era of opportunities that allow for successful treatment regimes at a fraction of the cost. Additionally, the Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett could be hitting on something akin to an airport arrival tax. Truthfully, there is a symbiotic relationship between wellness and tourism.

The estimated increase in the addition of new hotel rooms in St Ann and Trelawny surpasses 5,000 over the next five years. And we know those rooms are coming. The minister of tourism continues to dazzle us with new numbers in hotel construction.

Let us assume that each room will require 0.5 worker. This translates into 2,500 workers who will have a reasonable disposable income. Where will they live? With the help of the National Housing Trust, we should be welcoming some new owners of property, taking their first steps towards wealth creation.

This is not a matter of competence. Jamaican workers are employed in large numbers by the cruise industry. Throughout the Caribbean hotel industry, the Jamaican worker is considered the best in the region. The American industry gobbles up large numbers of our professionals in all areas of hospitality every year. Truthfully, we should not be surprised. This hospitality culture did not simply drop out of the sky. Many will remember the hotel training school in Stony Hill, Casa Monte.

But it is not just housing. We immediately step back and recognise that we need additional school places. In fact, we need more of everything. All those elements that make a community function are needed.

What about recreational infrastructure? Where are the recreational areas? Think about it! There is not one public swimming pool in any of the resort areas. But we can fix that relatively easily. We need to construct performance centres in every resort. They provide phenomenal opportunities for our creatives to both demonstrate and sell their wares. How is it possible that this major gift horse is being ignored?

Health and wellness products are in high demand and contribute to the quality of life of all consumers. It is an important ingredient that requires professionals in a wide area of skills. What we might call bush medicine is now using traditional skills to bring it to consumers.

As previously indicated, analyses of the market will confirm that the greatest spenders require the security that comes with knowing that there is cutting-edge health care within the countries they are temporarily domiciled. In all these requirements, host populations stand to benefit. These have become necessary services. Are we training to fill these spaces or are we seeking to import labour?

These comments are not political, as in party. It is simply smart for us to recognise that we have a tremendous opportunity as a consequence of our successful past efforts, whereby in excess of 3 million people will visit our shores annually, and almost all are well heeled and would want to consume more of what and who we are.

It is a tremendous opportunity to transform our economy and our country by qualitatively making this a better place to live by any measurement.

The good news is that HEART/NSTA Trust will be graduating over 6,000 young people this year, the vast majority in tourism and hospitality. Allegations of unfair employment practices which sees too many of these cohorts working for the entire training period to be told at the end that they are not needed should be addressed.

The late Dennis McIntosh, former president of the Culinary Federation of Jamaica, spoke passionately about the large pool of competent kitchen staff, from chef downwards, who remains dissatisfied with the benefits and promotions afforded this category of professionals.

Some will argue that there are no shortages of labour. What we have is an industry that is reluctant to compensate its trained professionals.

The call centres will continue to attract a larger number of trained staff based solely on salaries. A significant number will continue to head north until we convince our young people that there are lifelong benefits to be derived from taking hold of the opportunities that abound in Jamaica’s hospitality and tourism sectors.

The famous Singapore miracle had at its core first-class investment in training and education, and all the major tech companies are being managed by Indians as a consequence of their superior investment in educational institutions.

Jamaicans are incredibly smart people. There is no doubt that the syllabuses will need to be revamped. Put in place the requisite training institutions and watch Jamaica grow.

Tourism remains the low-hanging fruit.

James Samuels is a tourism consultant and a former president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association.