Ocho Rios High School

Description:

History of Tourism Action Clubs (TAC)

The Tourism Action Club (TAC) grew out of the annual JTB Summer Programme for schools. The Summer Programme was a 5-day seminar organized for groups of students from different schools Island wide. It involved panel discussions, workshop sessions, FAM (familiarization) trips, and competitions. The students attending this programme were also asked to design and start a tourism-related project.

Many of the students from the programme felt they wanted to complete the projects even after the programme had ended and several methods were developed to accommodate this. The most popular method was to form a club within each school. This was what led to the birth of the Tourism Action Club.

The Club provides a link to groups of students who have demonstrated an interest in Tourism. It also provides an easy channel through which the JTB can pass information to students to assist with their various assignments.

The first TAC to be formed was at the Excelsior High school in 1995. Since then the clubs grew in the secondary schools right across the island. After a few years, these students moved on to tertiary institutions with many of them actually pursing further studies in Hospitality & Tourism Management. These students indicated that they were missing the activities of TAC and still wanted to be a part of the program. As such, TAC was also introduced to tertiary institutions and the outcome is a vibrant tourism network among students of the secondary and tertiary level.

Mission Statement:

About Tourism Action Clubs (TAC)

 

Tourism Action Clubs hereafter referred to as TAC are managed through the Tourism Awareness Unit of the Jamaica Tourist Board. One of the mandates of the Tourism Awareness Unit is to sensitize Jamaicans on the value of tourism to Jamaica and most important the role each of us can play in ensuring that Jamaica remains the premier Caribbean Tourist Destination. One of the main selling point for Jamaica as a tourist destination is the warmth and hospitality of the Jamaican people and we would love to keep it that way.

TAC serves as a medium through which students at the secondary and tertiary level can learn more about tourism in a fun, less structured way. TAC also provides opportunities to share their views on issues arising in the tourist industry. We certainly welcome the input of our bright young minds and hope that these students will grow with a passion for tourism whether they become involved directly or indirectly with the industry in the future. Jamaica like many other Caribbean destinations is heavily dependent on tourism. As such we need to work assiduously to develop and maintain a sustainable tourism product of which we along with future generations can be proud of.

If you are a student and you would like to share our passion for tourism, please feel free to join our club through your school. The JTB is ready and willing to welcome your club. Being a part of TAC will create a lasting impact on your personal development – why not become a part of TAC today?