Course: Commercial Food Preparation ( Commis Chef)

Unit: Develop and update hospitality industry knowledge.(THHCOR0031A)

Introduction

The hospitality Industry has evolved over the years to new heights of service, professionalism
and sophistication. It refers to the accommodation, transportation and supporting sectors.

Importance of developing and updating knowledge of the hospitality industry.

If you are working or wishes to work in the hospitality industry, it is important to be up to date
with current industry information. Even people who have had long careers in the hospitality
industry need to keep up to date with current trends and changes in the industry. This is because
currency helps to:

To ensure quality service and satisfy guest expectations

To keep abreast of changes within the industry
To be able to make better career choices
To know what the industry has to offer to tourist e.g. Attractions
Better promote products and services
Improve working relationship
Maintain professionalism

In the day to day activities of a hospitality enterprise, an up to date employer can implement
current legislation, a chef may prepare menus that reflect the latest food trends and the concierge
will be aware their local attractions to inform guests.in addition, because the hospitality industry
is closely linked to the tourism industry, knowledge of current market groups is important in
order to meet the needs and expectations of customers. You will be expected to use correct,
current industry terminology, give detailed industry examples ad demonstrate understanding of
current issues affecting the industry.

The Hospitality Industry

The hospitality industry is part of a larger enterprise known as travel and tourism industry. The
travel and tourism industry is a vast group of businesses with one goal in common: providing
necessary or desired products and service to travelers. The hospitality industry is mainly
concerned with providing accommodation, food and beverage service and support service such
as entertainment to guest.

Sectors in the hospitality industry

 1. Accommodation
Hotels
Villas/Apartment
Guest house
Residential homes
Inns

2. Transportation
Airlines
Cruise shipping
Ground transportation
Car rental companies

3. Support services
Food and beverage facilities
Attractions
Banks/ cambio
Entertainment
Shopping
Night life venues

Major industry players

Tourists Product and Development Co. Ltd ( TPDCo)

Jamaica Hotel and tourist Association (JHTA)
Jamaica Corporative Automobile Limousine tours
Jamaica Association of villas and Apartments (JAVA)
Jamaica Tourist Board ( JTB)
Association of Jamaica Attractions
Hospitals
Financial Institutions
Insurance companies

Tourism Product Development Company Ltd. (TPDCo)

This agency was formed and contracted in 1996 to manage standards inspections, licensing
projects and tour training. In 1997 this organization launched the program Team Jamaica which
is geared towards assisting improving of attitudes and fostering awareness of Jamaicas tourism
product.

Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB)

This organization was established in 1955, to replace the Tourist Trade Development Board. The
primary function of the JTB is to market Jamaica as a tourist destination.
Sources of information:

Where and how to source current industry information

The following suggestions are all valuable sources of current industry information:

Media- Watch out for stories about the industry that appear in newspapers, on the news,
on the radio ect.
Reference books- Read facts about the industry or just observe latest food trends in
current recipes books
Libraries- These provide free reference material. Libraries located at sites that deliver
hospitality courses have more information relating to the hospitality industry
Industry journals- Subscribe to and read trade magazines and publications, such as
those from the restaurant and catering Association Of Australia
Internet- Surf the Internet and use industry and government websites to find out
information such as latest legislation and current tourism statistics
Information services- Visit food and trade shows, talk to careers advisers and attend
training programs and seminars
Personal observation and experience- Utilize work opportunities in the industry and
observe latest trends when dinning out
Colleagues, supervisors and managers- Question people who you work with in the
industry about aspects of hospitality
Industry contacts, mentors and advisors- Contact hospitality associations and network
with people who are involved in the hospitality industry

Research skills

When searching for information it is important to use appropriate research skills. The following
tips will help you:

Make sure the source is credible

Identify relevant information only
Use appropriate questioning techniques, e.g. Who, what, how, when
Sort, summarize and present information collected in a logical and appreciate manner

Updating Information

Computer databases
Keep contact details for personal contacts, workplaces and association on a database so you can
update information easily

Hard copy files

Keep files of hard copies of current industry information. Date information and replace older
information with updated information you collect from sources such as newspapers
Sharing information

The hospitality industry disseminates current information to their customers send colleagues
through a variety of channels. These include:

Direct mail- For instance customers on a data base are often sent brochures about current
promotions through direct mail. Staff members commonly receive information such as
memos, handouts or message in pigeonholes.
Cop orate website and e-newsletters- Mainly industry associations send out electronic
newsletters ( e-newsletters) to members and many larger hospitality enterprise have web
pages and intranet sites to inform staff and customers.
One on One communication- Employees are often kept up to date with industry
development by one on one communication, either on the job or at meetings, training
sessions and seminars or through workplace conversation.
TERMINOLOGIES

TOURISM- this is the movement of individuals. It is the movement of man away from his usual
plAce of Adobe. It also involves the study of the industry which has developed to satisfy his
needs and the manner in which both he and the industry impacts on the host country.

Tourism industry- this refers to a group of industries which provide service to the traveling
public e.g. Transportation, food and beverage, accommodation and leisure activities

Tourist- a person who visits another country for purposes other than employment and stay less
than twelve months

Reception- a function of the front office which deals with welcoming of guest, the provision of a
wet towel, complimentary drink and pre- registration assistance before guest check in at the front
desk.

Room status- indicates whether a room is occupied, vacant or reserved at any given time

Safety deposit book- a facility offered to guest for the storage of valuable property.

Check-in- procedures for registering a guest

Check-out- procedures for setting guests accounts

Folio- guest bill on which all charges are recorded

Front desk- area of the front office where guest are registered, information obtained, rooms
assigned and settling of guest accounts

Twin room- room with two separate beds

Ethics- a set of principles, proper conduct and good morals that are agreed upon by a particular
group or individuals

Master key- key that open all guest rooms

VIP- Very important person e.g. Frequent guest, celebrities, high ranking politicians
CIP- Commercial important person e.g. Media staff, journalists, travel agents

Continental Plan- A billing arrangement where rates specified includes breakfast and
accommodation. Breakfast usually consists of a beverage, roll, butter and jam or marmalade

European plan- A billing arrangement under which rooms are priced separately from rooms

American plan- A billing arrangement under which daily rate includes charges for the guest
room and three meals also called full pension.

Modified American plan- A billing arrangement under which daily rate Includes charges for the
guest room and two meals usually breakfast and dinner. Also called semi-pension

All inclusive- rates quoted includes room, all food and beverages and other activities e.g. Water
sports, tours,and transportation

Duty care- the moral or legal obligation to ensure the safety and well being of others

Employers group- an association for those employ others.

Occupational Health and safety Act. 2000- Protects the health and safety of workers and
visitors

Anti-Discrimination Act. 1977- Protects individuals from being discriminated against because
of character such as their race, gender, age sexual preference, marital status, disability or
religion. This ensures equal service is provided to everyone.

Workers Compensation Act. 1987- Focuses on injuries that occur to employees at work or
whilst traveling directly to and from work. It stipulates that all enterprises must have insurance
that will cover the injured workers medical expenses and rehabilitation cost.

Quality assurance- A system to maintain standards in a business

Trade union- Organization of employees that represent the interest of the employees in a
particular industry

Work ethic- A workplace philosophy where employees demonstrate reliability within the
enterprise. It includes recruitment, selection, training, development,employees, conflict
resolution and separation ( that is when employees leave the business)
Attractions- Sites or events which exercise a gravitational influence on the visitor. Attractions
may be characterized by its gravitational pull/marketability, sustainability and
profitability/viability

Employees responsibility- the obligation of workers in their workplace, for example to act in a
safe and ethical manner at all times and to follow organizational procedures and codes of
conducts

Employer responsibility- obligation of those who employ others

HISTORY OF TOURISM IN JAMAICA

Tourism is an important part of jamaicas economy. Because of the islands arm climate and year
round sunshine, it's beaches and beautiful landscape, many thousands of people from all over the
world come to Jamaica each year for a holiday.

Jamaicas tourism had its beginning in the latter part of the nineteenth century when invalids
started coming to Jamaica to escape the cold winters in England and North America. The first
tourist hotels were built in Montego Bay and Port Antonio. The now defunct Myrtle Bank Hotel
in Kingston was built in 1892. In those early days, tourism was limited largely to the rich, the
old. Tourism began to prosper in Jamaica after world war 1, when improved methods of
transportation made it easier for people to get from one country to another. Indications are that in
the early 1920s the number of tourist visiting the island annually probably did not exceeded a
few thousand. By 1938 the figure had risen to 64,000, and in 1952 the number of arrivals almost
doubled to over 104,000; in 1966 the number exceeded 345,000, and in 1970 nearly 415,000. In
1982 it exceeded 600,000. Since the 1987/88 season, the number of visitors has exceeded one
million a year and has continued to grow, partly as a result of the great increase of cruise ship
passengers. The total arrivals for 2016 were

Reasons for traveling

Guest like hotels can be placed in categories, based on their reasons for traveling.
 Vacation/pleasure
Education
Conference
Business
Health
Government or military business

Types of tourism
Eco tourism
Community tourism
Sports tourism
Cultural/heritage tourism
Special event tourism

Types of tourist
International e.g. USA
Regional e.g. Bahamas
Domestic/ local e.g. Parishes in Jamaica
Excursions/ Day visitors e.g. Cruise ship

First hotels built in Jamaica

In1905 the first hotel was built in Port Antonio on Titchfield Peninsula By sea captain Lorenzo
Dow Baker. The first hotel in Black River, with atmospheric, spacious , fan-only en-suitebuilt
in 1819, is Waterloo. It is reputed to have been the first place in Jamaica to get electricity. Shaw
Park Hotel was built in 1962 in Ocho Rios. Remodeled in 1982. The first hotel in Clarendon was
in chapleton. It was called Tudor hotel and was owned by the Lopez family.
Features of the hospitality industry

Mainly b cause of the white sand beaches and pleasant weather, jamaicas north coast has
become the islands tourist center, the main points being Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Port
Antonio. Many tourist visit Kingston, but this city is most important as a commercial center and
the seat of the Government. Today tourism is considered Jamaicas second most important earner
of foreign exchange. Stores, restaurants, transportation, and many other activities that cater to
tourist also provide direct employment in the industry.
Many other Jamaicans in every sector of the economy earn part of their income from tourism.
For example, farmers supply food to the hotels and restaurants, and skilled carpenters make
furniture. The center of the tourist industry is the Jamaica Tourist Board. Originally created in
1922 by Government as the Jamaica Tourist Trade Development Board was recognized in 1963
and a full time Director of Tourism appointed. There is also a Ministry of Tourism, the office
currently held by Dr. Edmund Bartlett.

Recent developments
A notable change in Jamaicas export economy since independence has been the development of
non- traditional exports. These include flowers and ornamental plants, specialized tropical fruits,
art and crafts. New growth industries include garment manufacturing, particularly as a result of
the Caribbean Basin initiative, data processing, music and entertainment.

Environmental impacts of the tourism and hospitality industries

Positive
Tourism to certain venues may educate the public about the local environment and the
importance of protecting the environment e.g. The morass
The tourism and hospitality industries often create employment and business
opportunities in an area, contributing to the local economy.
Hospitality and tourism buildings and venues are being designed and /or redesigned so
that their impact on the environment is minimal and they blend in with the local
environment better.
Many enterprises are now employing more sustainable pact ices in order to promote a
green image that appeals to customers e,g. Using organic products, recycling, using less
toxic chemicals and using more energy and water efficient fittings.
Negative
The presents of buildings and tourists may destroy the local environment and habitat of
native animals.
The hospitality and tourism industries contribute to waste issues e.g. Food scraps , oil and
chemical disposal
Many hospitality venues are noisy.
The hospitality and tourism industries consume a lot of energy and water e.g. Electricity
for air conditioning, refrigeration.

Defining the term hotel

With so many properties offering so many services in such a huge industry, it is easy to see why
persons get confused about the difference between hotels, motel, inns and other lodging
facilities.
A hotel or inn can be defined as an established as an establishment whose primary focus is
providing lodging facilities for the general public, and which furnishes one more of the following
services: food and beverage service, room attendant service, uniformed service and laundry
service.

A motel or motor hotel is a lodging facility that caters primarily to transient guest Arriving by
automobile, who want to overnight. Motels usually have parking spaces near guest rooms and
may be located in any settings, but are usually found near suburban or roadsides area.

Classifying Hotels

Placing a hotel in a particular grouping is not easy. None the less several classifications do
exists. It is important to note that a particular property may fit into several categories.
 1. Size: size or the number of guest-rooms in a property gives an idea of the way to
categorize hotels. Hotels are typically grouped in four size categories.
Under 150 rooms- Small
150-299 rooms Mid size
300 600 rooms- large
More than 600 rooms- large

2. Target Market: Target markets are distinctly defined groups which the hotel hopes to
retain or attract as guest e.g. Business executives, famIlies ect.

3. Levels of service- Another way of classifying lodging properties is by level of guest

service. Some hotels offer more than one level of service. The level of service is usually
reflected in a guest room rate. There are three levels of service, extended stay and full
service.

Limited service/economy hotels offer:

Food and beverage service which is limited to a complimentary breakfast or
happy hour.
Limited or no meeting or banquet facilities
Few amenities such as bell service, valet parking.
Extended stay/mid market hotels offer:
Facilities for preparing meals in the room
A location which typically emphasize convenience to guests destination
Exercise facilities and business center
Premium guest room amenities
Full- service/ luxury hotels offer:
Deluxe, luxury, upscale and mid scale services
Food and beverage service through one or more restaurants
Room service
Meeting and banquet rooms
Guest service including language assistance, valet parking
Exercise facilities
Business center
Higher staff to guest ratio
Premium guest room amenities and toiletries

The Mobile Travel Guide rates properties and assigns star rating to depict standard of service as
follows:
One -star- Clean, comfortable but luxurious. Offer minimum services which may not
include a 24hour front desk, phone, housekeeping or a restaurant.
Two-star-Slightly above one star and may include better quality furniture, large rooms, a
restaurant, television in each room, direct dil phones, room service and recreational
facilities such as a swimming pool.
Three-star-Offers all the services of a one and two star and has expanded upon these
services so that one or more are truly outstanding.
 Four- star-Rooms are larger than average, furniture is of high quality, personnel are well
trained,courteous and eager to provide customers with everything they need. Guest
complains are minimal. Lodging is a memorable experience for the guest.
Five-star-Facilities are among the best. Superior restaurants are required. Twice daily
housekeeping service is standard; lobbies are comfortable and aesthetically attractive.
The exterior is attentive and well maintained. A key factor is that guest are made to feel
like a very important person at all times by every employee of the establishment.

4. Ownership and Affiliation

Owners and affiliation provide another means of classifying hotels. Two basic structure
exist: Independent Hotels and Chain Hotels.

Key division and department in the hospitality industry

Departments are specific areas in a hospitality enterprise that have specific roles to allow for the
functioning of the enterprise: these include:

Rooms Division (front office; reservation, housekeeping; laundry, uniform services)- Front
office Services and administers the reservation and reception section of the enterprise.
Housekeeping- maintains an enterprises of hygiene, cleanliness and comfort while uniform
services provides highly personalized guest service.

Food and Beverage Division ( food services, food production, stewarding, convention and
catering, room service)- Provides food and drink to a hotel guest. The food and beverage division
also typically supports other hotel functions such as room service, catering and banquet planning.

Sales and Marketing division (sales, convention service, advertising and public relation)- The
primary goal of this division is to promote the Sale of the hotel products and services. This
divisions responsibilities are divided into four function: sales, convention services, advertising,
and public relation.

Accounting Division ( storerooms, food and beverage control, purchasing, credit system,
payroll, accounts receivable)- this division monitors the financial activities include paying
outstanding invoices, distributing unpaid statements, collecting amounts owed, processing
payroll, accumulating operations data and compiling financial reports.

Engineering and Maintenance Division- Is responsible for maintaining the propertys

structure and grounds, as well as its electrical and mechanical equipment. It may also be
responsible for swimming pool sanitation, parking lot cleanliness and fountain operations.

Security Division- Security responsibilities include patrolling the property, monitoring

surveillance equipment, and in general, ensuring that guest, visitors and employees are safe and
secure. All employees however play significant roles in safety and security.

Human Resource Division ( Employee recruitment, Benefits, Training) - its responsibilities

include employment( external recruiting and internal re- assignments); training ; employees
relations ( including quality assurance); compensation; benefits; administration ( including
employees policies) ; lab our relations; and safety.

Inter relationship between key departments

This refers to the way in which different departments in a hospitality establishment interact with
and are dependent on each other.
Example include:
Front office advise Housekeeping which rooms are becoming vacant because guest are
departing.
Maintenance advises Front Office of any disruption to services such as hot water
Front Office generates statistical information for the sales and marketing team
Food production advises Food and Beverage wait staff of changes on menus such as the
soup of the day
Housekeeping refers reports of theft from a room to the security division.

Personal attributes of hospitality staff

To be an effective employee in the hospitality industry, individuals should possess the following
attributes:
Punctuality: Employers want staff that arrive on time and me deadlines.
Honesty: This is not limited to dealing with money and property. Colleagues and customers
expect honesty in their relationship.
Attention to detail: Achieving high standards makes both employers and customers happy as it
demonstrates quality service and dedication.
Personal presentation and grooming: In the hospitality industry employees are often the public
face of the establishment. Good personal presentation provides a positive image to customers.
Attitude: Employees and customers expect staff to be courteous, polite, professional, cheerful,
and helpful and demonstrate initiative.
Confidentiality: In the hospitality industry, employees are often required to deal with customers
personal information, such as credit card numbers, passports and personal addresses and these
must be protected.
Consistency of service: Customers notice inconsistency. Each task; whether plating up a meal
or cleaning a guest room must be carried out to a high standard every time.

Ethical Issues
Ethics refer to what is morally right. Employees and employers need to act ethically when
dealing with customers and colleagues. Common ethical issues in the hospitality industry
include:
Confidentiality- It is against Privacy Act. And bad for business to reveal information
about customers and colleagues unless they are informed. Employees also need to keep
trade secret so that their enterprise maintains a competitive edge.
Pricing- Customers must be fully informed of all costs before they purchase a meal or
service. International guest who may not be familiar with cost must not be taken
advantage of
Tipping- tipping is not compulsory in Jamaica and customers should not be pressured to
give tips.
Quality assurance
Hospitality enterprise implement quality assurance programs to ensure that standards are
maintained. This is important as it keeps customers happy and it ensures future business. A
quality assurance program contains policies and practices to ensure that minimum standards are
met. These include cleaning rosters, protocols for greeting guest, standardized recipes, protocols
for handling supplies, staff presentation standards, protocols for reporting safety and security risk
ect.

Enterprise policies
In order to set standards for employees, many establish the following policies. These may
include:
Code of conduct guidelines- Set out how employees should behave in an enterprise.
Ethics policy- Sets out the values of an enterprise that employees should respect such as
honesty and integrity.
Privacy policy- Explains how an enterprise handles customer information. Employees
are not permitted to use this information to their advantage and the enterprise must not
pass on this information to any third party, such as a marketing company, without
notifying the customer.

Legislation relating to Hospitality Industry

Occupiers Liability Act.
Hotels keepers Liability Act.
Fire Safety and Prevention Act.
Public Health Act.

Employees Benefits
This is an overview of the benefits to which you are entitled or which was you may elect to take
advantage of if you are permanently employed.

Leave and Holidays

Full-time employees earn:
Four(4) hours each pay period if service is less than 3 years=13 days a year
Six (6) hours each pay period if service is between 3 and 15 years= 20 days a year
Eight(8) hours each pay period for more than 15 years of service =26 days a year
Employees hired into the Senior Executive Service will earn (8) hours each pay period=
26 days a year
Each calendar year you may accumulate annual leave. However, excess of 240 hours at the end
of the Leave year will be lost.

Sick leave
Full-time employees earn four hours each pay period( 13 days each year) with no maximum limit
Part-time employees accrue annual and sick leave hours on a pro-rated basis that is , in an
amount based on the relationship of their tour of duty as it relates to a full-time tour duty

Holidays
The Government provides a number of paid holidays per year. These include:
New Years Day ( January 1)
Independence Day (August 7)
Heroes Day ( October 15)
Emancipation Day ( August 1)
Labour Day (May 23)
Christmas Day ( December 25)
Ash Wednesday
Good Friday
Easter Monday

Career Opportunities
Here are some of the common career opportunity available within the different sectors of the
hospitality industry.
Food production
Food and beverage
Gaming
Housekeeping
Front Office
Transportation

Jamaica Parishes
Their History, Capitals & Landmark Attractions

Counties In Jamaica
The fourteen (14) parishes in Jamaica are also grouped into three (3) collective counties;
1. Cornwall:
Which includes Hanover, Westmoreland, St. James, St. Elizabeth and Trelawney.
2. Middlesex:
Which includes St. Catherine, St. Mary, Manchester, Clarendon, and St. Ann, and
3. Surrey:
Which includes St. Thomas, Portland, St. Andrew, and Kingston.

Hanover:
Located on the north-west corner of the island, is the small but scenic parish of Hanover. It was
named for the family of 18th century monarch King George I of England.
The capital city is Lucea which is filled with numerous fascinating historical landmarks.
Some of the places of interest in Hanover includes:
Mayfield's Falls
The Hanover Museum
The Hanover Parish Church
The Hanover Parish Council Office


St. James
The parish of St. James is also located along the island's northern coast, just east of Hanover. A
very beautiful parish, St. James is home to Montego Bay, it's capital city and the island's second
capital.
Some of the points of interest in St. James includes:
The Rose Hall Great House
Doctor's Cave Beach
Sam Sharpe Square
Rockland Bird Sanctuary
The Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue)
Great River rafting adventure

Trelawny
Traveling east of St. James, the next parish you come to is Trelawny. Founded in the late 18th
century, it was named after then-governor, Sir William Trelawny.
The capital city of Falmouth is one of the best preserved historical towns in the Caribbean and it
also hosts the largest cruise ship port in the region.

The population of this parish is about 75, 558. It is a major producer of sugar cane, with sugar
and rum being its main products. Many other fruits and vegetables are also grown here.

Places of interest in Trelawny includes:

The Windsor and Carnabi Caves
The Martha Brae River
St Peter's Anglican Church in Falmouth
Falmouth Court House

St. Ann
As the largest of Jamaica's parishes, St. Ann lies right in the middle of the island's northern coast.
Its name was given to FeedbackFeedbackFeedbacks Anne Hyde, the wife of King James II,
and it was originally spelled St. Anne.
The capital is St. Ann's Bay, but the largest and most visited city is Ocho Rios, a popular centre
for tourism and a port-of-call for many cruise lines.
Because of its abundant vegetation, St. Ann is known as the Garden Parish. The major
industries here besides tourism include bauxite and some farming.
It has a population of 173, 232. This parish is the birthplace of legendary reggae artist Bob
Marley and National Hero Marcus Garvey.
These are some of St. Ann's most notable points of interest:
The Bob Marley Mausoleum
Green Grotto Caves
Mystic Mountain
Dunn's River Falls
Prospect Plantation
St. Mary
Situated on the north-east shores of the island, is the picturesque parish of St. Mary. One of the
smaller parishes, St. Mary is believed to have been named after Mary Modyford, daughter of Sir
Thomas Modyford, a 17th century governor.
Or since it was built by the Spanish, it may have simply been named after its port, Puerto Santa
Maria, which still stands as the modern parish capital, Port Maria.
Its population is 114, 227. The main industry in St. Mary is agriculture, with crops such as
tobacco, bananas, citrus fruits, coconuts and coconut-derived products, breadfruit, coffee, and
cocoa.
Some of its main points of interest in St. Mary include:
Firefly former residence of Noel Coward British playwright
James Bond Beach made famous by the movie Dr. No
Reggae Beach great place to enjoy open-air food and entertainment
Rio Nuevo Village Attraction

Portland
The Green Parish of Portland is located on the most north-eastern tip of the island. Largely
rural, Portland is characterized by rich, green foliage due to its high rainfall, which accounts for
its nickname.
With a mix of beautiful beaches, the most famous being the Blue Lagoon Beach where the
film of the same name was shot, mountains, caves, and waterfalls, it has some breathtaking
scenery.
Portland was named in honour of the Duke of Portland, a governor of Jamaica in the early 18th
century. The capital city is Port Antonio, and the population of the parish is 82, 183.
Its rich soil lends itself well to farming, with the main crops being mangoes, ackee, coffee,
bananas, coconuts, and breadfruit.
Portland, specifically Boston Bay, is the birthplace of jerk chicken, dancehall singer Wayne
Wonder was also born in this parish.
Some of its major points of interest include:
Blue Lagoon
Folly historical 19th century mansion ruins
Frenchman's Cove Beach
Somerset Falls
Rio Grande Rafting (River)
Boston Jerk Center

St. Thomas
St. Thomas is Jamaica's most eastern parish, located at the far end of the island's southern coast.
Some points of interest in St. Thomas include:
Morant Point Lighthouse
Reggae Falls
Bath Mineral baths
Old Suspension Bridge
Stoke's Hall Ruins
St. Andrew
The south-eastern parish of St. Andrew, named for Andrew the apostle, patron saint of Scotland,
surrounds Kingston, the nation's capital, which together make up the most populated area of
Jamaica.
Major Points of interest in St. Andrew include:
Hope Botanical Gardens
Bob Marley Museum
Half Way Tree Square
St. Andrew Parish Church

Kingston
Kingston, Jamaica's vibrant capital, is both a city and parish. On the island's south-eastern
shores, the busy Kingston harbour is one of the oldest seaports in the world.
Some of Kingston's major points of interest include:
Emancipation Park
Hope Zoo
Devon House
National Heroes Park
National Gallery

St. Catherine
The parish of St. Catherine is located just west of St. Andrew along Jamaica's south coat. Named
for Katherine of Portugal, wife of Charles II who was King of England.
Points of interest in St. Catherine include:
The Cast Iron Bridge
Hellshire Beach
Emancipation Square
King's House
St. James Anglican Church
Caymanas Park Horse-racing Track

Clarendon
Clarendon is located in the south-central region of the island, between St. Catherine and
Manchester. May Pen is the capital of this parish which was named in honour of Edward Hyde,
an English statesman who became Earl of Clarendon in the 17th century.
Major Points of interest in Clarendon include:
Milk River Baths
The Clock Tower In May Pen (above)
Halse Hall Great House
Vernam Field Car Races
Jackson's Bay Caves

Manchester
The parish of Manchester is found in the south-central region of the island.
It is known for its mountainous terrain and high elevation of about 2000 feet about sea level,
which lends itself to cooler and more comfortable temperatures than other parts of Jamaica and a
fantastic, panoramic view of the surrounding area.

Some points of interest in Manchester include:

Mandeville Court House
Marshall Pen Great House
Maidstone District
Manchester Club Golf Course
Manchester Parish Church

St. Elizabeth
St. Elizabeth is the second-largest parish and it is located in the south-west corner of the island
west of Manchester. Known affectionately as St. Bess, this parish is home to 150, 205 people
St. Elizabeth, and the south coast in general is also famous for its peppered roadside shrimps!
Major points of interest in St. Elizabeth include:
YS Falls
Holland Bamboo
Black River Safari
Appleton Estate Distillery
Apple Valley Park

Westmoreland
As its name suggests, the parish of Westmoreland is the situated on the island's most western tip.

In fact, this is believed to be the origin of Westmoreland's name. Best known for its popular
resort town of Negril, with its famous Seven Mile Beach, this parish is home to a population of
144,817.

Points of interest in Westmoreland includes:

Seven Mile Beach
Blue fields Beach
Rick's Cafe
Negril Point Lighthouse
Blue Hole Negril
Abeokuta Paradise Nature Park
Rhodes Hall Plantation
Luna Sea Inn