With a combined 3,025 years of service to the nation’s tourism industry, 56 sector workers were honoured at a gala dinner at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St. James, on December 16. Dubbed the Golden Tourism Day Awards, the recipients, representing almost every aspect of the tourism industry, received trophies, citations and other tokens of appreciation “for their stellar contributions”...

Ultra low-cost carrier Swoop, made its inaugural flight from Canada into the island on Sunday (December 16), landing at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay at approximately 12:45 p.m. with 196 passengers on board. A high-level delegation was on hand to greet the passengers and flight crew, presenting them with bead necklaces as gifts. Swoop, which is owned by...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says Jamaica now boasts the most “seamless” airport system in the region. Addressing business interests and tourism stakeholders at the unveiling of 20 automated kiosks at the Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, on December 16, Mr. Bartlett said the new machines will ensure that visitors are processed “in the quickest time possible”. “The point...

The Tourism Linkages Network has been reaping success through its efforts at strengthening the relationship between the tourism and the agricultural sectors, resulting in an increase in the demand and consumption of local produce by the hospitality industry. A major thrust, which has been bearing fruit, is the Tourism Agri-Linkages Exchange (ALEX) pilot project, which has assisted 400 local farmers...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says Shopping Tourism has been getting much traction worldwide, and Jamaica is in a unique position to capitalize. Addressing stakeholders at The Shoppes at Rose Hall in St. James on December 13, Mr. Bartlett said that shopping is also a major value-added market where nearly 60 per cent of visitors travel all over the...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says ground is slated to be broken in January to commence the construction of 6,000 additional hotel rooms. He said expansion of Jamaica’s hotel room stock will serve to further boost the economy by providing opportunities for local stakeholders, such as manufacturers, whom he encouraged to prepare to supply the anticipated heightened demand for furniture,...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says a sum of $100 million will be provided towards the redevelopment of the 40-acre Alpha Campus in Kingston. The money, to come from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), will be disbursed over a five-year period. “We have agreed that it will be provided in tranches of $20 million over the five-year cycle that...