Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has highlighted the need for more local supplies to be channeled into the sector to increase the revenue-retention level from the current 40 cents per dollar. Preliminary gross earnings from tourism for fiscal year 2023/24 are estimated at a record US$4.38 billion, reflecting a 9.6 per cent increase compared to 2022/23. Approximately 40 per...

Jamaica’s first ever gastronomy academy is to be established at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, provided details as he opened the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, on Tuesday (April 30). “We are going to be training sous chefs there because we have the best kitchen in the Caribbean...

The Ministry of Tourism is reporting that 9,447 hospitality workers are now registered for the Tourism Workers Pension Scheme. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, made the disclosure as he opened the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on April 30. “They have saved, in the process, $1.2 billion. When added to the $1 billion that we put and...

Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College (SSTC) is expanding its undergraduate programme with the introduction of two new Bachelor of Education degrees as well as a slate of short courses in September 2024. Principal of the institution, Ricardo Bennett, announced the enhanced offerings while addressing the valedictory ceremony for the 48th batch of graduates held on April 25 at Calvary Baptist Church...

Significant steps are being taken to address the housing needs of the tourism workforce. Through the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s partnership with the New Social Housing Programme, $500 million will be allocated to improve housing conditions for tourism workers living in substandard circumstances. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, made the disclosure as he opened the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the...

Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) with responsibility for Information, Hon. Robert Morgan, is scheduled to depart Jamaica today (May 1) for UNESCO World Press Freedom Day observances in Georgetown, Guyana. During the visit, Minister Morgan will participate in the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Jamaica and Guyana, which will see...

Some 136 T/20 and 23 T/10 Masters cricket teams, representing approximately 200 communities across the island, are participating in the 2024 Social Development Commission (SDC) National Community Cricket Competition. The competition, which is in its 17th season, began on March 22 and will run until August 11, with the grand finals for both segments set for Chedwin Park in St....