AFTER being stumped by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Tourism Service Excellence Awards (TSEA) returns this year, sparking excitement among stakeholders.

The launch of the awards was held on Monday at Devon House in St Andrew, and Marline Stephenson Dalley, corporate communications and community awareness coordinator at the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), shared that she is delighted about the plans in store for the gala scheduled for October 31 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James.

It will be held under the theme ‘The Chosen Gems of Jamaica’.

TPDCo, an entity which falls under the ambit of the Ministry of Tourism, is in charge of executing and overseeing the event and related activities.

Stephenson Dalley outlined that a series of public engagement activities leading up to the event will involve 13 individual finalists and 12 organisations.

“I encourage you not only to be a part of this movement but also join us and get others to come and be a part of the occasion on the 31st of October. This campaign reflects our commitment to highlighting the exceptional individuals and organisations that help to make Jamaica a world-class tourism destination,” Stephenson Dalley said, pointing out that over the next two months Jamaicans will see many activities designed to celebrate excellence.

She explained that the return of the gala is especially significant because it acts as a motivating force for tourism workers to go the extra mile in service delivery.

“It allows us to celebrate the resilience of the tourism industry and to shine a spotlight on those who continue to raise service standards across the sector,” Stephenson Dalley said, as she articulated that the communications strategy leading up to the event will focus on five key areas.

“We want to increase public awareness of TSEA and its significance to Jamaica’s tourism industry. We want to position the awards as the Ministry of Tourism’s highest recognition programme for service excellence. We want to showcase our finalists and their impact on visitor experiences,” Stephenson Dalley explained.

“We want to reinforce the importance of service excellence across the sector… we want to generate strong public engagement and positive media coverage throughout the campaign period. Throughout the two months that are ahead of us, audiences will constantly hear messages emphasising that Jamaica’s greatest tourism [product] is its people, and that recognising excellence encourages continuous improvement across that industry. Everything we communicate between now and October 31 will reinforce these themes,” she said.

“I remember when we had to cut short this event years ago.; we were down to the wire. I think we were two days from the event and our prime minister had to take the decision with his Cabinet to close [down the country]. We were so disappointed, but we are picking up from where we left off,” Stephenson Dalley said as she recognised Tourism Minister Bartlett for reviving his brainchild which was first held in 2008.

Wade Mars, TPDCo executive director, said the event launch brought about a proud feeling for him. He said key stakeholders are very much aware that the island’s landscape might bring visitors, but it is the quality of service that leaves that lasting impression which keeps people returning year after year. That belief remains just as relevant today as it was when the programme was conceptualised by Bartlett.

The individuals from various tourism-related entities announced as finalists for the awards include Kenard Swaby, Celia Steele, Maxine Henry, Giselle Bradshaw, Tricia Rowe, Gloria Luke-Miller, Cinderella Badal Kerr, Akeem Miller, Sherrita Savage, Angelita McDonald, Paul Norman and Marsha Wiles.