Tourism workers will receive artificial intelligence-assisted training under a new workforce development initiative unveiled by Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, as debate continues over the number of foreign nationals occupying managerial positions within the sector.

Bartlett, making his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Parliament, said the programme forms part of the Government's Tourism 3.0 agenda and will use artificial intelligence to support foreign-language instruction and skills development aimed at preparing workers for advancement in an increasingly technology-driven industry.

The announcement comes days after Opposition Spokesman on Tourism Andrea Purkiss raised concerns about the number of overseas nationals employed in management positions within the tourism sector and called for greater opportunities for Jamaicans to move into leadership roles.