KINGSTON, Jamaica — The first cohort of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) Tourism Entertainment Academy (TEA) is now benefiting from the live performance stage of the programme.

The cohort includes 18 participants across jazz, reggae and comedy.

Speaking in a recent interview with JIS News, Executive Director, TEF, Dr Carey Wallace, said that participants are gaining practical experience and exposure that will prepare them for careers in the tourism sector.

“We are actually right at that stage where, having done the training and coaching and so on, we’re providing them the exposure, the opportunity to have performances,” Dr Wallace said.

Last month, participants from the comedy and reggae categories showcased their talents at the Johnny Live Comedy Bar Show and the Wickie Wackie Music Festival, respectively.

The final performance will be held on March 22 in Montego Bay.

The live performance stage is a critical part of the academy’s mission to professionalise entertainers and elevate the standard of tourism performances. During the live performances, participants are assessed by industry experts, with the evaluations contributing to the grading required to earn a ‘stackable credential’ upon successful completion of the programme.

Additionally, social media will be used to promote participants, and details of each certified entertainer will be shared with tourism stakeholders.

The programme, which began in July 2025, is being offered as a micro-credential and includes training in key areas such as cultural authenticity, the art of performance and professionalism for entertainers.

Dr Wallace informed that through a partnership with the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, participants benefited from some very outstanding coaches.

“These are some of the best in Jamaica who would have had the level of exposure and understand the standards in the international space to bring up the cohort to those levels,” Dr Wallace said.

The programme will conclude with a grand showcase later this year as well as a graduation ceremony, during which participants will receive certificates.

The TEF is already preparing to welcome the next cohort in the upcoming financial year.

“As we enter the new financial year in April, we’ll be putting out the second call, so look out for that, and please register. Look forward to great facilitation and upliftment.  That’s what we do at TEF; it’s local first, and our job is to ensure that as many locals, their capacity is built out, so that they can get a big slice of the tourism pie,” Dr Wallace said.

The TEA is an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism, being implemented by the TEF in partnership with the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

— JIS