The Tourism Product Development Company, TPDCo, has so far trained over 400 residents of Trelawny in various aspects of tourism as the parish prepares for its debut in the very lucrative tourism cruise shipping arena.

This training forms part of a multi-million dollar programme being undertaken by TPDCo across the parish in a bid to get Trelawny and its residents ready for the dawning of a new era with the upcoming opening of the Falmouth Cruise Ship Pier. TPDCo is spending over $50M on training, facade improvement, zinc fence removal, the creation of public parking areas and sanitary conveniences, the renovation of the historic Court House as well as landscaping and the erection of story boards across the town of Falmouth.

In addition to the training, over 1000 residents have been involved in tourism sensitization workshops which have been staged across the parish.

Executive Director of TPDCo, Earl Patrick, says “citizens of Trelawny have been afforded training in Tour Guiding, Tourism Awareness, Team Jamaica, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Product Knowledge. We have trained residents from across the parish who are now fully empowered to start playing a vital role in the tourism sector. We have also given Tourism Awareness and Customer Service training for craft producers and traders, ground transportation operators, namely JUTA, JACL and Maxi Tours as well as members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and representatives of the Tourism Courtesy Corps.”

In expressing satisfaction with the level of training given and the response of residents of the parish, Mr. Patrick said “we have taken the training to the residents in their communities…Wakefield, Albert Town, Falmouth, Clarkes Town and Salt Marsh and they have grasped the opportunities with both hands. I am very satisfied with the response that our trainers have received and based on that, Trelawny and tourism will be well served by these highly trained and empowered citizens.”

Tourism Minister, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett also expressed satisfaction with the programme, emphasising that “embracing the residents of Trelawny and helping them to prepare for the introduction of cruise shipping to the area forms part of our efforts to ensure that they are truly empowered to fully capitalize on the opportunities that this landmark development will offer. This initiative is also critical to positioning Trelawny to maximize its earnings from the cruise shipping industry locally, which is projected to see a 15 percent increase in earnings, with the addition of the Falmouth Pier.”

Meanwhile, the over 400 residents who have so far completed the TPDCo-sponsored training will be presented with their certificates during the latest in a series of tourism sensitization events, set for Water Square in Falmouth on Thursday February 24, starting at 3 pm.

During that event, residents will be addressed by officials of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and the Port Authority of Jamaica, PAJ, on the benefits of cruise shipping to the parish of Trelawny in general and the town of Falmouth in particular.