There is heightening stakeholder anticipation over the impending arrival of the world’s largest cruise ship, the Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, in 2020. The vessel, which will dock at the Falmouth Pier in Trelawny, is slated to make eight port calls to Jamaica between May and October, bringing nearly 72,000 passengers. Each visit is expected to see some 6,680...

Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, is reporting positive responses and buy-in from sector workers and stakeholders who are to benefit from the soon-to-be-established Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme. The scheme, which is expected to come into effect early 2020, is a defined contributory plan supported by legislation, and will require mandatory contribution by workers and employers. It will cover all workers...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the pension scheme for tourism workers is a commitment by the Government to make sure there is social security and protection for workers in the sector. The pension scheme, which is expected to come into effect early 2020, is a defined contributory plan supported by legislation, and will require mandatory contribution by workers...

The Ministry of Tourism is partnering with The University of the West Indies (UWI) in the delivery of specialised courses of study for hospitality industry stakeholders. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, said that the courses that are being developed for possible introduction at the Mona Campus in October will focus on areas such as law, logistics, health, and security. The...

Symphony of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship and prime jewel in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class vessels, is slated to make its inaugural call to Jamaica next year. With a carrying capacity of 6,680 passengers, the 228,081-ton ship is expected to dock in Falmouth, Trelawny, on May 19, 2020. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says arrival of the Symphony...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says some 6,000 rooms will be developed in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, over the next five years, making the self-styled elegant corridor a prime area for the tourism high end market. In an interview with JIS News, Mr. Bartlett said the development will include the 1,700-room Hard Rock Café Hotel, a casino resort under...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the passing of the Tourism Workers’ Pension Bill “will go down as a landmark moment in the history of work relations in Jamaica.” Speaking in a recent interview with JIS News, he said that the legislation, which was approved by the House of Representatives last month, will ensure retirement benefits for workers in...