Some 120 local producers of authentic Jamaican gift and souvenir items will showcase their products and network with corporate entities and various industry players at the fifth staging of ‘Christmas in July’. The event, hosted by the Tourism Linkages Network and its partners, is slated for July 18 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston. Activities will get under...

Debate on the Tourism Workers Pension Act, 2019, was suspended in the Senate on Friday (July 12) to allow for further consultations on a number of matters. The Bill seeks to establish a defined contribution pension scheme for hospitality industry workers. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., who...

Jamaica has welcomed approximately two million visitors for the first half of 2019, earning US$2 billion in revenues. Last year, the country had record arrivals of 4.32 million visitors with earnings of US$3.3 billion. Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., highlighted the figures while opening debate on the...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the Government is looking to build-out the tourism product in non-traditional areas across the island as it looks to fully maximize the country’s tourism potential. Speaking in an interview with JIS News on July 4, Mr. Bartlett said that the objective is to create “mini-destinations” that can attract large numbers of visitors. “While...

Jamaica has been selected to host the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference and Operations Summit (CHICOS), scheduled for November 14 to 15, 2019, at the Secrets Wild Orchid, Montego Bay in St. James. The event is expected to attract some 300 attendees who are interested in hospitality development in the Caribbean. CHICOS is the premier industry conference for the region and...

The Tourism and Services Unit at Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) is facilitating some major initiatives geared towards development and promotion of leisure and medical tourism, health and wellness, and attractions. In an interview with JIS News, Manager for Tourism and Services at JAMPRO, Carol Straw, informed that the Unit is currently in the process of negotiating two major events related...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says that the Government has no intention of imposing a tax on persons who are renting out their homes or providing space for travellers who have booked through Airbnb. “I have heard the false reports, especially on social media… [but] nothing could be further from the truth, as we have had no such discussion....