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On November 15, 2024, the 6th staging of the UWI Future Leaders of Tourism Conference was held at the Mona School of Business and Management under the theme “Out of Many, One Peace.”  The conference which was hosted by the MSBM Tourism undergraduate students who are pursuing the Events Management course, featured insightful panel discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities. The event which brought together over 400 students from high schools, universities, and colleges across Jamaica was the first face-to-face, student-led conference since the onset of the Covid-19 global pandemic.

The Conference had the following Objectives:

 

  1. Inspire Future Leaders

Encourage students and young professionals to take leadership roles in shaping the future of the tourism industry.

  1. Facilitate Knowledge Sharing

Provide a platform for industry experts to share insights, best practices, and innovative solutions to current and emerging challenges in tourism.

  1. Engage Stakeholders

Provide a forum for sponsors, partners, and key players in tourism to engage with emerging talent and showcase their contributions to the industry.

  1. Expanding Career Opportunities

Connect attendees with industry experts in the tourism industries by providing networking opportunities and facilitating question and answer segments.

Keynote Speakers & Industry Leaders

The conference was honored to have Dr. Carey Wallace, Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), as the keynote speaker.

Dr. Wallace delivered an inspiring address, centered on the theme, “Out of Many, One Peace.” His speech challenged attendees to embody change and lead by example in their communities and professional lives. He emphasized the role of tourism as a unifying force and a vehicle for promoting peace, cultural diversity, and sustainable development.

In addition, participants were privileged to hear from renowned experts, including:

  • Ms. Carol Rose Brown - Director of  Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation  ( JCTI)
  • Mrs. Diana McIntyre-Pike, Director and Founder, Country style Community Tourism Network
  • Mr. John Byles - Deputy Chairman for Jamaica Tourist Broad (JTB) and Chukka Caribbean Adventures
  • Dr. Theres Rodriguez Moodie- Chief Executive Officer at the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET)

Programme Highlights

The conference featured six engaging forums, each addressing critical areas of the tourism industry, while aligning with the general theme. These forums were led by Industry leaders and experts who bestowed their knowledge, facilitated and encouraged participants to engage in dialogues. Below are the highlights for each forum:

  1. Education: A Catalyst for Peace through Education and Training in Jamaica
  2. Community-Based Tourism: Community-Based Tourism as a Vehicle for Tourism and Peace
  3. Culture: Tourism Redefined: Celebrating Unity through Cultural Diversity
  4. Gastronomy Tourism: Flavours of the Caribbean: Uniting Cultures through Culinary Journeys
  5. Linkages: Building Linkages to Enhance Peace and Love
  6. Sustainable Tourism: Promoting Peace and Prosperity through Sustainable Tourism

Forum 1 - Edutrain [ Education & Training ]

  A catalyst for peace through education and training in Jamaica
Speakers:

  1.  Mrs. Carol Rose Brown - Director of the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation
  2. Professor Gaunette Sinclair- Maragh - Associate Professor and Head of the School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at UTECH
  3. Mr. Michaeal Forrester Approved Training Partner ( Kingston)

Topics:

  • The role of education and training in empowering local communities within the tourism sector
  • Opportunities in Tourism: Exploring diverse career paths
  • Elevating Tourism Standards: the critical role of certification
  •  

This forum explored the transformative role of education and training in empowering local communities, emphasizing how skill development fosters growth, inclusion, and resilience within the tourism sector. It highlighted the diverse career opportunities available in the industry, showcasing pathways for individuals to thrive in a dynamic and ever-evolving field.

Forum 2 - Community Based Tourism

Community Based tourism as a vehicle for tourism & peace

  1. Dr. Kadamawe Knife- Researcher & Lecturer at the UWI Mona
  2. Mr. Desmond Saunders Jr. - Community Tourism Manager, TPDCO
  3. Chief Richard Currie- Head of sovereign state, Accompong

Topics:

  • Empowering local voices
  • Cultural Exchange and understanding
  • Global Trends& local impact
  • Conflict Resolution and peace building

This forum focused  on the transformative potential of Community-Based Tourism (CBT) in amplifying local voices and fostering cultural exchange and understanding. Discussions delved into global tourism trends and their local impact, emphasizing strategies to align international developments with community priorities.

Forum 3- Gastronomy Tourism

 

Flavours of the Caribbean: uniting cultures through culinary journeys

  1. Chef Brian Lumley - Corporate Chef at Nestle
  2. Chef Dwight Johnson- Private Chef
  3. Chef Akai Lindsay - Private Chef

Topics :

  • Culinary heritage & cultural identity
  • Cross-cultural exchange
  • Economic benefits leading to stability

The forum highlighted the connection between culinary heritage and cultural identity, showcasing how food serves as a powerful medium to preserve traditions and share the stories of local communities. Attendees enjoyed sampling dishes, which brought these discussions to life through taste and tradition.

 

Forum 4- Linkages

 

Building linkages to expand peace & love

  1. Mr. Josef Bogdanovich - CEO, Downsound Entertainment
  2. Mrs. Kamesha Blake- Executive Director JMEA
  3. Mr. Deron Grant - Executive Director of Jamaica Agricultural Society
  4. Mrs. Carolyn McDonald Riley- Director Tourism Linkages Network

Topics :

  • Entertainment: The link to embrace harmony between sectors/ cultures.
  • Manufacturing Linkages and strengthening bonds
  • Cultivating peace in tourism through agriculture.
  • Tourism Linkages, everybody business

Forum 5- Culture

 

Tourism Redefined: Celebrating unity through cultural diversity

  1. Ms. Janet Crick- Director, Kingston Creative
  2. Dr. Dennis Howard-  Managing Director at the Institute of Cultural Policy and innovation
  3. Mr. Derrymour Patrick Snr. - Managing Director- Trekkers Adventure Jamaica

Topics:

  • Overcoming division: How cultural diversity can unite
  • Integrating Jamaican traditions into holistic health visitor experiences
  • Connecting generations & preserving traditions through events

This forum focused on the power of cultural diversity to bridge divides, promoting unity and understanding among communities. It explored how Jamaican traditions can be incorporated into holistic health experiences for visitors, enhancing wellness tourism while celebrating local culture. The forum also, encouraged that heritage is safeguarded and passed on, while fostering stronger community ties and enriching the tourism experience.

Forum 6- Sustainability

 

Promoting Peace and prosperity through sustainable tourism

  1. Dr. Theresa Rodrigues- Moodle- CEO , JET
  2. Mr. Koen Hietbrink- General Manager, AC Marriott Kingston
  3. Mr. John Byles- Deputy Chairman Jamaica Tourist Board and Chukka Caribbean Adventures

 Topics:

  • Tourism as a catalyst for sustainable peace
  • Success stories within sustainable tourism
  • Developing sustainable tourism initiatives

This forum emphasized tourism's role as a catalyst for sustainable peace, showcasing its ability to unite communities and promote mutual understanding. Participants were exposed to inspiring success stories within sustainable tourism, demonstrating how responsible practices have positively impacted local communities and preserved natural resources.

With a student centric focus, students from the following institutions participated in the one day conference:

  • Glenmuir High School
  • Garvey Maceo High School
  • Dunoon Technical High School
  • Wolmer’s Trust High School for Girls
  • Portmore Community College
  • University of Technology (UTECH)
  • Northern Caribbean University (NCU)
  • College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE)

 

Sponsors

The conference was the beneficiary of the partnership of several organizations  whose generous support was integral to the success of the conference:

  • The University Bookshop
  • Pure Promo
  • El Sol Vida Fun Tours
  • Maze Ja
  • Veggie Campus
  • Redbull
  • R & G wholesale & Variety Store Limited
  • Jamaica Teas Ltd.
  • Lasco
  • JAP studios
  • Jamaica Restoration PHD Ministries
  • General Food Supermarket
  • Jamaica Observer
  • Shemle’s Photography
  • Newstalk 93 FM

 

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