$31 Million Set Aside In Tourism Budget For Creative And Cultural Industries

A sum of $31 million has been earmarked in the 2022/2023 tourism budget to support Jamaica’s creative and cultural industries.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, made the disclosure while addressing the premiere of the film ‘Link Up’ at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona, Western Jamaica Campus (WJC) in Montego Bay, St. James, on Sunday (February 27).

He said the creative and cultural industries have the potential to further bolster brand Jamaica on the global market and position the country to better capitalise on the economic benefits.

“I have something powerful to say about ideas because ideas are what drive the business I’m in. Tourism is about experiences. It’s about bringing people from all over the world to consume the creative output of our people, and that creative output is a product of ideas,” Mr. Bartlett noted.

“So, I’m putting $31 million, this budget, into mining ideas, the management of ideas, honing ideas and converting them into practical and material things of value which add to the landscape,” he added.

The Minister indicated that the Innovation and Risk Management Division of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) will be scouting Jamaicans with creative “concepts and new thinking” that can further help to diversify the island’s tourism product.

He noted that creative ideas such as the locally produced ‘Link Up’, which is a romance, drama short film, are important in showcasing to the world that the island has its own “Jollywood” which is worth experiencing.

“This film makes that point. It creates something that I would like to see move from here to Cannes in France. Believe me, this can be submitted as one of the short script movies for recognition in the international film festival,” Mr. Bartlett said.

“Also, as a Minister that’s driving innovation, my Ministry has established an innovation incubator and that’s the $31 million that we’re going to spend this year on young people with ideas,” he added.

Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, in his remarks said that film tourism is a tool that can be nurtured and developed to benefit Montego Bay and other resort towns.

He pointed out that Jamaican films such as ‘The Harder They Come’ and ‘Cool Runnings’ have amassed US$300 million, which is an indicator of the potential of the local film industry.

“I support the push to have filming fully established and I support your efforts here today. Just imagine what producing quality films right here in Montego Bay could do for our local economy,” he said.