Finalists chosen for tourism excellence awards

Some 30 persons and 22 businesses from Jamaica's resort areas were named as finalists in the 2010 Tourism Service Excellence programme last Thursday.

The list includes 10 persons and five businesses from Montego Bay; eight persons and five businesses from Negril; six persons and four businesses from Ocho Rios; four persons and five businesses from Kingston; two businesses from Portland; and two persons and three businesses from the south coast.

The three-year-old awards programme recognises and honours excellence within all areas of the tourism industry.

Executive Director of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), Earl Patrick, said at Thursday's announcement that since the programme's inception, the finalists have been pacesetters and sources of inspiration within the industry.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett said that awarding excellence within the industry was an indication of the many good things happening in the sector.

He noted the need for continued renewal and improvements, adding that tourism demands changes and innovation.

"In truth and in fact, what we are selling is not a static product; it is not a product which, having been designed today, with minimal modification will remain with its utility value ad-infinitum," said Bartlett.

"It is a product that responds to the taste, desires, emotions, feelings, aspirations, dreams and hopes of peoples of varied cultures, dispersed across the four corners of the earth."

Bartlett said that the Jamaican stakeholders have a responsibility to make the product exciting, alluring, satisfying and sought after, daily.

He said that surveys have shown that good quality service represents 60 per cent of a visitor's expectations, adding that destinations with good quality service will stand out. He said that Jamaica's service quality has enabled it to have an enviable record of repeat visitors.

Turning his attention to the awardees, the tourism minister said the announcement of the winners, in both the individual and company segments, will take place on Saturday, June 4.

- JIS