MONTEGO BAY, St James — Close to 500 students from 17 high schools and colleges across Jamaica swooped down on the Montego Bay Convention Centre to attend the inaugural staging of the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation’s (JCTI) Career Expo on Friday.

The students were introduced to traditional and non-traditional opportunities in the hospitality sector by the 20 exhibitors who provided guidance and recruitment opportunities in the industry.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, who delivered the main address at the opening ceremony of the well-attended expo, told the students and their teachers that, “You are now going to be involved in a new industry that has emerged since COVID… an industry that has been affected by what we call supply chain disruptions and the essence of which was the human capital disruption — and that disruption has put us in a position where we have to reinvent ourselves or reimagine ourselves,” Bartlett stated.

He assured the host of students that “tourism is the only industry that has a space for every single type of individual that is on planet earth”.

Chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Godfrey Dyer reinforced the tourism minister’s point.

“I know that making a decision about what kind of career path you want to pursue can be daunting and stressful, especially when you are so young, but let me tell you something. It matters where your interests lie; there is always something that will fit your skill set and desires,” Dyer said.

Wade Mars, executive director at the Tourism Product Development Company, also encouraged the students to consider a career in tourism.

“As you contemplate the future and your path to success I encourage you to consider the tourism industry with its many and diverse career offerings. Remember, tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. The journey for you has just begun,” Mars said.

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Jennifer Griffith also wooed the students towards the sector.

“This expo is a great opportunity for high school and college students to learn more about what it takes to pursue a career in tourism, and Dr Wallace outlined the range of opportunities in his opening statements. Our goal is that by the end of today’s [Friday] event you will be able to make informed decisions on what pathway you would like to take in tourism — a field that is the leading driver of our Jamaican economy,” Griffith said.

Director of Sandals Corporate University Dr Luz Longsworth was impressed with the first staging of the expo she described as “amazing”.

“It’s amazing to have so many young people out [and] looking at the wide career options in the hospitality and tourism industry. I think it’s important that they see the full gamut of if they choose Sandals, they automatically students of the corporate university that can take them from wherever they are right up to a Master’s and PhDs, as they wish,” Dr Longsworth told the Jamaica Observer.

“So the corporate university is a strategic tool to ensure that our staff are at the cutting edge of the industry.”

Daveanna-Kay Reid, human resources executive for talent and acquisition at Digicel, was equally impressed.

“I think I’m quite impressed, to be honest. The turnout of students has been amazing. It’s been a while I’ve seen so many students really coming out to interact, to seek the job opportunities in the different organisations, and to be honest I am impressed,” Reid told the Observer.

Seaforth High School teacher Kindamae Pennant Miller was fascinated with the expo that exposed her students to opportunities in the tourism industry.

“I’m really impressed by what is happening here and I’m sure my students are overjoyed; they just keep going around to the different booths. I think they’re excited about the whole programme, and I think it is something that is very good for young people to guide them in this kind of direction because a lot of them have nothing to do after school and this helps them to choose a career path that is a very good one. They are meeting new people here…and I see them being very excited about that also. They’re talking to others, moving around. It is beautiful,” Pennant Miller said.