KINGSTON, Jamaica — ThaeJadore Kerr of Montego Bay High School for Girls has been named Jamaica’s 2026 Junior Minister of Tourism. She topped three finalists Friday in a closely contested competition at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort.
Kerr placed ahead of Govaunia James of Manning’s School, who finished second, and Nathan Clarke of Glenmuir High School, who finished third. As a result, she earned the national title. She will also have the opportunity to represent Jamaica at the Caribbean Tourism Organization Youth Congress in Guyana from Oct. 5-9.
State of the Tourism Industry Conference
Jamaica will be seeking to build on last year’s second-place regional finish. Kerr will compete at the congress, held as part of the State of the Tourism Industry Conference in Georgetown.
“Jamaica has a new Junior Minister of Tourism, and I am pleased by what this year’s finalists have shown us,” Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said.
“ThaeJadore spoke with the conviction of someone who understands exactly what is at stake for this industry’s future. Under Tourism 3.0, I have said repeatedly that our people are our greatest asset, and today’s finals proved that point.”
Donovan White, Jamaica’s director of tourism, said the programme continues to highlight the strength of the country’s emerging tourism talent.
“The Junior Minister of Tourism Programme continues to prove the calibre of young talent this country produces, and ThaeJadore’s win today is the clearest evidence yet of what disciplined preparation makes possible,” White said.
Kerr credited her school, teachers and supporters for helping prepare her for the competition.
“First, I must thank God for this moment,” Kerr said.
“This win belongs to my school, my teachers and everyone who helped me prepare. I intend to make my country proud on that stage the same way I hope I made it proud today.”
Montego Bay High School for Girls
Faithlyn Anderson, one of Kerr’s Tourism Action Club advisers at Montego Bay High School for Girls, said the win reflected sustained preparation.
“This win did not happen by accident,” Anderson said.
“It came from hours of preparation and practice, and Montego Bay High School for Girls could not be prouder.”
Lyndsay Isaacs, regional public relations manager for Sandals Resorts Group, said the competition aligns with Sandals’ commitment to developing future tourism leaders.
“As a hotel group built entirely on Jamaican hospitality, we understand better than most that this industry’s future depends on the people who will lead it,” Isaacs said.
“Every year, this competition reminds us why our partnership matters. Sandals has been proud to stand behind this competition year after year.”
Jamaica Tourist Board
Lucretia Green, manager of the Tourism Information Centre at the Jamaica Tourist Board, said the finalists delivered a strong final round.
“Today’s finals were everything I hoped they would be and more,” Green said. “All three finalists raised the bar, building on round one. Choosing a winner was no easy task for us judges. Congratulations to ThaeJadore. I am proud of you, and so are the Jamaica Tourist Board and the Tourism Action Club. This competition exists to groom young tourism ambassadors, and today, Jamaica gained one of its finest.”
The competition is staged by the JTB’s Tourism Awareness Unit in partnership with Sandals Resorts.
The CTO Youth Congress is part of the broader State of the Tourism Industry Conference. The conference will be staged in Guyana for the first time under the theme “One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences.” Last year’s edition in Barbados brought together students from across the region. Each served as a junior minister or commissioner of tourism and presented on themes shaping the industry’s future.
