THE Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has congratulated ThaeJadore Kerr of Montego Bay High School for Girls on being crowned the 2026 junior minister of tourism, topping a field of three finalists in a closely contested showdown at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort.

Kerr bested fellow finalists Govaunia James of Manning’s School, who placed second, and Nathan Clarke of Glenmuir High School, who placed third, to claim the title.

“Jamaica has a new junior minister of tourism, and I am pleased by what this year’s finalists have shown us. ThaeJadore spoke with the conviction of someone who understands exactly what is at stake for this industry’s future. Under Tourism 3.0 I have said repeatedly [said] that our people are our greatest asset — and today’s finals proved that point,” noted Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism.

Kerr will now represent Jamaica at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) Youth Congress in Guyana from October 5-9, where Jamaica will look to build on last year’s second-place regional finish.

“The Junior Minister of Tourism programme continues to prove the calibre of young talent this country produces, and ThaeJadore’s win today is the clearest evidence yet of what disciplined preparation makes possible,” noted Donovan White, director of tourism.

Said Kerr: “First, I must thank God for this moment. This win belongs to my school, my teachers, and everyone who helped me prepare for this moment. I intend to make my country proud on that stage the same way I hope I made it proud today.

Newly minted Junior Minister of Tourism ThaeJadore Kerr (second right) pauses for a photo-op, post-competition, with (from left) Lyndsay Isaacs, regional public relations manager, Sandals Ochi Beach Resort; Faithlyn Anderson, teacher and Tourism Action Club advisor at Montego Bay High School for Girls; and Lucretia Green, manager, Tourism Information Centre at the Jamaica Tourist Board. 

“This win did not happen by accident. It came from hours of preparation and practice, and Montego Bay High School for Girls could not be prouder,” remarked Faithlyn Anderson, one of Kerr’s two Tourism Action Club advisors at Montego Bay High.

“As a hotel group built entirely on Jamaican hospitality, we understand better than most that this industry’s future depends on the people who will lead it. Every year, this competition reminds us why our partnership matters. Sandals has been proud to stand behind this competition year after year,” stated Lyndsay Isaacs, regional public relations manager, Sandals Ochi Beach Resort.

“Today’s finals were everything I hoped they would be and more,“ added Lucretia Green, manager, Tourism Information Centre at the Jamaica Tourist Board. “All three finalists raised the bar, building on round one. Choosing a winner was no easy task for us judges. Congratulations to Thaejadore. I am proud of you, and so are the Jamaica Tourist Board and the Tourism Action Club. This competition exists to groom young tourism ambassadors, and today,Jamaica gained one of its finest.”

The competition is staged by the JTB’s Tourism Awareness Unit in partnership with Sandals Resorts.

The CTO Youth Congress will form part of the broader State of the Tourism Industry Conference, being staged in Guyana for the first time and under the theme ‘One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences’. Last year’s edition in Barbados brought together students from across the region, each serving as a junior minister or commissioner of tourism and presenting on themes shaping the industry’s future. Kerr will join a similarly strong regional field of junior ministers when she travels to Georgetown.