POINT, Hanover — Executive director of Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) Dr Carey Wallace is encouraging residents of this western parish to prepare themselves for opportunities that will flow from upcoming development projects such as the planned expansion of the Grand Palladium Jamaica and Lady Hamilton Resorts and Spa.

“I am watching all the influx of construction — hotels, influx of opportunities — and the best thing that we can have that has an impact on our people, is for our people to upskill themselves to build out the capacity to then supply these hotels that are coming in,” stated Wallace.

He was speaking during a recent town hall meeting to present the results of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the second phase of Grand Palladium, which is located in Point, Hanover.

“The worst thing is for a hotel like this [to] come in, Princess [Hotel in Green Island, Hanover] opens, all these things happen, and our people are still poor. Let us all be positively impacted from this,” Wallace suggested.

He cited opportunities including training provided by HEART/NSTA Trust; Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI), which prepares Jamaicans for top jobs in the industry; and Tourism Linkages Network that creates more entrepreneurs for the industry. He also spoke of a loan facility where $1 billion has been placed in the EXIM Bank Jamaica to unlend to small and medium tourism enterprises.

Deputy mayor of Lucea Andria Dehaney Grant, who pointed out that there is an ongoing training programme between HEART/NSTA Trust and Grand Palladium, encouraged individuals interested in the tourism industry to get in touch with their respective councillors for information.

Sixteen years ago, in its first phase, Grand Palladium opened its doors to the public with 1,054 rooms. In phase two, another 948 rooms will be built on a section of the 28-acre property. Once approved, work could start within the first quarter of 2015 and run for two years.

A 475-room family resort and 473-room adult resort (including 16 overwater rooms) will be constructed between the existing resort and the Caribbean Molasses Company (Jamaica) Limited Port.

Some 1,500 skilled labourers are expected to be employed. This is anticipated to generate approximately 2,600 to 5,700 indirect and induced job opportunities.

The hotel, when completed, is expected to employ about 3,500 staff.

During the town hall meeting, environmental scientist and managing director of CL Environmental Consultants, Dr Carlton Campbell said phase two of the development:

•supports the Government’s initiative to stimulate tourism by expanding infrastructure beyond traditional areas

•addresses increasing demand for hotel capacity due to rising tourism arrivals

•is aligned with Vision 2030 which aims to position Jamaica as a premier destination for visitors and businesses, and

•enhances Jamaica’s tourism offerings by diversifying accommodations and improving overall quality.