Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has expressed deep sorrow at the passing of prominent Montego Bay businessman and close friend, Robert ‘Ducksie’ Russell. Russell, a visionary entrepreneur and pillar of the Jamaican tourism and entertainment industries, passed away last evening. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend, Robert Russell,” Minister Bartlett said. “He was a...

Disney Cruise Line’s Regional Public Affairs Director for The Bahamas and the Caribbean, Joseph Gaskin, says the entity is fully committed to playing an even bigger role in Jamaica’s cruise shipping future. Speaking with JIS News during the inaugural visit of the company’s flagship vessel, the ‘Disney Treasure’, the sixth in the fleet of luxury liners, Mr. Gaskin said the...

Disney Cruise Line has launched the ‘Treasure Tomorrow’ Programme in Jamaica, in a bid to make a significant commitment to community engagement locally. The initiative, developed in collaboration with Junior Achievement Jamaica, focuses on providing career exploration opportunities for Jamaican students, particularly those living in and around the town of Falmouth in Trelawny. It is intended to strengthen the connection...

The 2024/25 winter tourist season, which begins on December 15, promises to be “very good” for Jamaica, according to Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett. “We have improved bookings and airlift. In fact, out of the United States, we have 70,000 more seats than we did the last year,” he told JIS News. The Minister further informed that 45,000 additional seats...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the newly established artisan village in Falmouth, Trelawny, continues to play its role as a transformative initiative that is revitalising the town and boosting its appeal to visitors. Speaking to JIS News on December 5 at the Falmouth Pier, during the inaugural cruise ship visit of the Disney Treasure, Mr. Bartlett said that...

Jamaica must move decisively towards developing a luxury tourism market to sustain its position as a global travel destination and maximise economic returns, says Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett.  He made the call while addressing the Branded Residence Conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James, on December 4.  Mr. Bartlett said it is time for...

The Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) was conceptualised and established out of the need to pivot the sector from a casual labour industry to one that is more professional, according to Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett.   “Casual labour is difficult to classify, it’s difficult to certify, it’s difficult to remunerate and it causes industrial disruptions, as people don’t have...