Pictured: Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada (lower centre), Ricardo Henry, Business Development Officer, Northeast USA (top centre), Odette Dyer, Regional Director, Jamaica (top right), members of the Jamaica Tourist Board and travel advisors from the United States celebrate the dedication of the newly constructed Fyffes Pen Primary & Infant School in St. Elizabeth on Thursday, July 9, as part of the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Voluntourism Project.

KINGSTON; Jamaica; Friday, July 17, 2026 – The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) partnered with the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation (HHJF) for the Foundation’s landmark 20th Anniversary Voluntourism Trip, reaffirming its commitment to community tourism, sustainable development and Jamaica’s ongoing recovery efforts.

The initiative, which took place on July 6 to 12 in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, brought together travel advisors, donors, volunteers, media and content creators from Canada and the United States to help rebuild Fyffes Pen Primary & Infant School, which was severely damaged during Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. The project marks HHJF’s 28th school build in Jamaica and represents a renewed investment in education, resilience and community development.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, said the partnership demonstrates how tourism can be a catalyst for meaningful social transformation. “Tourism is at its most powerful when it enriches the lives of the people who call our destination home. Through our partnership with the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation, we are bringing visitors and communities together to rebuild educational infrastructure, strengthen resilience and create lasting opportunities for our young people. This initiative perfectly reflects Jamaica’s vision of tourism as a driver of inclusive and sustainable national development,” Bartlett expressed.

Director of Tourism Donovan White said the initiative showcases the evolution of Jamaica’s tourism product by offering visitors opportunities to create lasting impact while experiencing authentic Jamaican communities. “Today’s travellers are increasingly looking for experiences that allow them to connect with destinations in meaningful ways. This partnership with Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation demonstrates that Jamaica offers more than unforgettable vacations, we offer opportunities to make a genuine difference. Participants leave not only with lifelong memories, but with the knowledge that they helped rebuild a community and invest in the future of Jamaica’s children,” he noted.

Throughout the week, volunteers worked alongside members of the Jamaica Tourist Board, HHJF and its local implementing partner, Food for the Poor, assisting with the school rebuild while engaging with community members and experiencing the rich culture, heritage and hospitality of St. Elizabeth.

The week’s activities culminated with the Foundation’s 20th Anniversary All White Celebration at the iconic Lovers’ Leap, sponsored by the Jamaica Tourist Board, where Regional Director, Canada, Angella Bennett, reflected on the significance of the partnership.

“We celebrate something far greater than an event. We celebrate a partnership built on passion, passion for a people, passion for a country and passion for a nation. The Jamaica Tourist Board is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation.”

The Jamaica Tourist Board’s partnership with Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation reflects its commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen local communities while showcasing Jamaica as a destination where tourism creates meaningful and lasting impact. As the island continues to recover, the partnership highlights the important role visitors can play in rebuilding communities and creating brighter futures for Jamaica’s children.

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ABOUT THE JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD  

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are in Berlin, Madrid, Milan, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.

Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition. In 2025, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #13 Best Honeymoon Destination, #11 Best Culinary Destination, and #24 Best Cultural Destination in the World. In 2024, Jamaica was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ for the fifth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named the JTB the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 17th consecutive year.

Jamaica earned six Travvy Awards, including a gold for ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program’ and silver for ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean’ and ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean’. The destination also received bronze recognition for ‘Best Destination – Caribbean’, ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean’, and ‘Best Honeymoon Destination – Caribbean’. Additionally, Jamaica received a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 12th time.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions, and accommodations in Jamaica, go to the JTB’s Website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.visitjamaica.com/blog/.