Jordan Greig Is New Junior Minister Of Tourism
Seventeen-year-old Jordan Greig of Harrison College has won the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport’s Tourism Youth Congress competition, which has earned him the title/role of Junior Minister of Tourism for the period 2023 to 2024.
Jordan was chosen this morning from among a group of six students aged 14 to 17, at the Ocean 2 Hotel, St. Lawrence Gap, Christ Church.
As part of the competition, students were asked to research one of the following topics: Wellness Tourism Beyond The Norm; Accessibility Tourism; and Building A Resilient And Sustainable Tourism Workforce; and make a three-minute presentation, including a PowerPoint presentation. They were also asked to respond to a mystery question about the industry, posed from a visitor’s perspective.
In addition to his new title, Jordan was awarded a laptop; $500; a four-week summer internship with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) in 2024; and a trophy. He will also represent Barbados later this year in the Turks and Caicos at the Regional Tourism Youth Congress. His school will receive a donation of $1,000 and a banner displaying ‘Home of the Junior Minister of Tourism’.
Lester Vaughan School student Shamarko Aimey, who placed second in the competition, received $400, and will take part in a four-week summer internship with the BTMI next year.
Third place winner, Joshua Carter of the Alexandra School, was awarded a four-week summer internship with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. for summer 2024 and $300.
The other three finalists were Julianna Celestin, The Lodge School; Zahara Richard, The Ellerslie School; and Tihanna Thegg, Princess Margaret Secondary.
Minister of Tourism and International Tourism, Ian Gooding-Edghill, congratulated the contestants for taking part in the youth congress. He stated that the competition was conceptualised by former Caribbean Tourism Organization Secretary General, Jean Holder, to craft a forum for future leaders of Caribbean tourism, by developing their skills and attitudes for future leadership of the sector.
Tourism Minister, Ian Gooding-Edghill, poses with new Junior Tourism Minister Jordan Greig (fourth from left); Junior Tourism Minister for 2022-2023, Josiah Grannum (third from right); and finalists in the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport’s Tourism Youth Congress competition. (S. Forde-Craigg/BGIS)
Mr. Edghill noted that within the Ministry, the Youth Congress Programme falls under the Product Development Department of the BTMI, and its aim is to heighten tourism awareness and sensitisation among Barbadian youth.
He told the students: “As we look to the future, we take note of the importance of your voice…. Taking part in today’s competition will enhance your knowledge of tourism in Barbados. Following this competition, I hope each of you sees yourselves as youth ambassadors and youth voices that are needed as we work to create a sustainable tourism model.
“Your voices and ideas are necessary to support our goals to grow Barbados into an ideal tourism destination. Let me also state that your contribution and engagement can create additional opportunities to help build out Barbados’ tourism sector.”
All six finalists received a certificate of participation, a Roundabout game, a Heritage Barbados book and passes to Coco Hill Forest attraction. Teachers of the students who won the top three places were also awarded prizes, including dinners and staycation packages.
Chief judge was Principal of Grazettes Primary School, Andrea Baptiste, and the other two judges were Senior Tourism Development Officer, Jacqueline Pollard, and BTMI Board Member, Ronnie Carrington.