Provisional data from the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) show that a record 4.3 million tourists visited Jamaica in 2017. This, according to Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, represents a 12.1 per cent increase over arrivals in 2016. “We broke the four million mark in December and by the end of (the month) we had gone to 4.3 million arrivals. This...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the expansion of service by ground transportation provider, Knutsford Express, will serve to expose locals and tourists to Jamaica’s lesser known rural attractions. Mr. Bartlett, who was speaking at the official opening of the company’s Sangster International Airport depot in Montego Bay on Tuesday (January 9), said the ease of access to Jamaica’s interior...

The nomination deadline for the Tourism Service Excellence Awards (TSEAs) has been extended to Friday, January 12. The TSEAs seek to recognise individuals and organisations in the sector that demonstrate best practices and offer excellent customer service. Nominations will be accepted in several categories, including Accommodation Staff, Craft Trader, Airport Staff, Tour Operator, Ground Transportation Operator, Raft Captain, Attraction Employee,...

Executive Director of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), Dr. Andrew Spencer, is encouraging members of the local craft sector to keep refining their skills and innovate in order to remain competitive and meet the needs of consumers. “You have to keep abreast of what is happening, but not only keep abreast – you have to be ahead of the...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has urged Jamaican farmers to capitalise on the Agri-linkages Exchange (ALEX) platform, which he says will be a huge catalyst in equipping them to reap the benefits of tourism’s success. Mr. Bartlett said the platform, which was set up to facilitate the purchase and exchange of goods between farmers and buyers within the hotel...

Jamaica's tourism industry marked a historical milestone on Friday (Dec.15), welcoming the four-millionth visitor to the island in a single year. In tandem with this achievement, the tourism sector is also poised to reach US$3 billion in earnings for the year. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett led a delegation of tourism officials and stakeholders to greet Jill Bell, who...

The Ministry of Tourism is inviting stakeholders to submit nominations for the National Tourism Service Excellence Awards, which seek to recognise individuals and organisations in the sector that demonstrate best practices and offer excellent customer service. Nominations for the awards will close on Friday, December 22, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. and are open to individuals and organisations serving the tourism...