Tourism Linkages Network Trains 26 Hotel DJs

KINGSTON, Jamaica; June 22, 2018:  Entertainment in the island’s hotels received a boost, with the certifying of 26 hospitality workers, who participated in the inaugural Tourism Linkages Network's DJ Capacity Enhancement Training Programme.

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says the training initiative forms part of the ‘joined-up government’ approach, as his Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, to improve the cadre of local entertainment providers in the industry in an effort to also develop valuable entertainment products and experiences for visitors to the island.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, hosted at the Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Resort yesterday, Minister Bartlett stated that “The Ministry of Tourism will be placing special focus on developing entertainment tourism as a major part of our growth strategy. The initiative will be driven by the Ministry’s Sports and Entertainment Network, which has been charged to take the necessary steps, to capitalize on the tremendous potential Jamaica has in entertainment, to significantly boost arrivals and tourism earnings.”

He went on to share that he is working closely with colleague Minister, Hon. Olivia Grange to ‘put out the final tourism products that are in demand, not just across Jamaica but across the world.’

“Minister Grange and I are committed to this process of building capacity and sharing resources as we make this the finest product that anyone can expect coming in to the Caribbean,” said the Minister.

The programme was designed and delivered by acclaimed local Disc Jockey (DJ) and producer Delano ‘DJ Delano’ Thomas, to build the capacity of hotel DJs, with an interest in enhancing both their hard and soft skill sets.

The Dreyfus Model was used as a framework for the assessment, delivery and evaluation of training for hospitality staff from: Hedonism II, Iberostar Hotels and Resorts, Sandals Ochi Beach Resort and the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa.

During his speech to the graduates, the Minister urged them to remember that as workers in the tourism sector, they have the added responsibility of being entertainment and cultural ambassadors for the country.

“As cultural and entertainment ambassadors, you are an integral part of our music tourism product.  I am therefore going to suggest the addition of Team Jamaica training as a module of this Programme. I think this would definitely round out participants’ training as adept resort deejays and certified tourism ambassadors, giving guests a piece of the authentic Jamaican experience through music,” said Minister Bartlett.

Team Jamaica is a programme offered by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), which provides persons in the tourism sector with the knowledge, interpersonal skills and attitude for the delivery of quality service, and is the benchmark for tourism awareness programmes within the Caribbean.