Jamaica Launches Russian, Spanish Training Program for Tourism Workers

In a bid to better accommodate visitors from non-English-speaking countries the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment and its agency, the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), on Thursday launched the Russian and Spanish Language Skills Training Program for tourism workers at the Couples Swept Away Resort in Negril.

Tourism Minister Wykeham McNeill officially launched the programme, which he said is a big boost to the industry as front line service providers will be better equipped to deal with visitors from new and emerging markets.

“We are confident that this programme will greatly enhance our tourism product by making our workers more sensitive to the needs of our guests who speak foreign languages,” Dr McNeill said during his keynote address.

He added that the program will equip the participants with basic communication skills that will enhance customer satisfaction levels and ensure repeat guests.

The target groups for the language training programs are front line workers in the tourism sector, including immigration and custom officers; red cap porters; taxi and bus operators; craft vendors and workers in hotels and attractions, and Jamaica Tourist Board personnel, a release from the Tourism Ministry said Friday.

He said the $3 million that the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has allocated for this program is “money well spent” as Russia, Spain and Latin America are potentially rich source markets for Jamaica, which are currently being targeted to significantly boost our market diversification drive in order to ensure sustainable growth in the sector.

“We also have flights out of the Czech Republic starting in December and are on target for two flights out of Stockholm, Sweden, one starting in November and the other in December,” McNeill said.

Source: eturbonews