More than 800 young Jamaicans across the various resort areas, between the ages of 16 and 25, benefited from the Tourism Product Development Company's (TPDCo) recently concluded Tourism Summer Intern Programme.

The participants have praised the programme and many employers have expressed satisfaction with the value that the interns brought to their organisations.

The interns rated highly, the one day orientation which preceded the launch of the programme, and which introduced participants to tourism and security awareness, marketing of brand Jamaica, cultural sensitivity, professional etiquette and customer service.

Students were placed in all the subsectors of the tourism industry including transportation, attractions, hotels, travel trade and tourism organisations as well as related establishments which have linkages to tourism.

In response to the question what did you gain from the experience, the feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive.

Danielle Williams said: "I gained a better understanding of all that the tourism sector entails and gained useful knowledge pertaining to the resort areas of Jamaica, which will in turn help me to become a better ambassador for my country."

According to Alecia Reid: "I learned that body language and posture are important and customer service is the key. I also gained additional experience in computer-related activities."

According to TPDCo Executive Director, Dennis Hickey: "I am pleased that the programme has achieved its objectives, including exposing young academics to the significance of tourism and the important role it plays in our society."

TPDCo's Summer Intern Programme was made possible through the financial support of the Tourism Enhancement Fund to the tune of more then $20M.