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Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left), addressing the press briefing on the Tourism Enhancement Fund/EXIM Bank loan facility at the Ministry’s offices in New Kingston on Wednesday, August 30. Looking on is Managing Director, National Export-Import Bank of Jamaica (EXIM), Lisa Bell. The loan facility, which was launched in September 2016, will allow operators of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTE) to access loans.

TEF Provides Additional $350M for EXIM Bank Loan Facility

The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has allocated an additional $350 million to the National Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of Jamaica to continue the provision of loans to the operators of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs). The allocation represents the second...

Minister of Tourism and Member of Parliament for East Central St. James, Edmund Bartlett (left), congratulates scholarship recipient, Paige Gordon, at the East Central St. James Scholarship and Welfare Fund's 2017 Tertiary Awards Function at the Iberostar Hotel in St. James on August 27. At right is Denise Dear, a member of the Awards Committee. Ms. Gordon received $200,000, which will assist with her studies at the University of the West Indies.

Bartlett Gives $10 Million from Scholarship Fund to Help Students

Executive Director at the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), Dr. Andrew Spencer. (FILE)

TPDCo Implements Measures to Prevent Tourist Harassment

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, addresses a meeting of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry on July 28.

Tourism Minister Calls for More Investment in EP Hotels

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left); and Chief Executive Officer, Jamaica National (JN) Group, Earl Jarrett (2nd right), exchange copies of a signed contract, which will see the JN Group providing management and execution services for the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) global conference to be held in Jamaica in November. The signing took place at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston on Wednesday (July 26). Also pictured (from 2nd left) are: Permanent Secretary in the Tourism Ministry, Jennifer Griffith; and Managing Director, MCS Group Limited, Onika Miller. MCS Group is a member of the JN Group.

Over 180 Delegates Have Registered For UNWTO Conference

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (right), and Permanent Secretary in the Tourism Ministry, Jennifer Griffith (centre), admire a ceramic piece produced by Mustard Seed Ceramics at the ‘Christmas in July’ trade show held at The Pegasus hotel in New Kingston July 27. Looking on is Mustard Seed Ceramics’ Cheryl Mais.

9 years ago Tourism

‘Christmas in July’ 2017 a Success

The Tourism Linkages Network staged another successful ‘Christmas in July’ trade show with some 120 local producers of authentic Jamaican gift and souvenir items showcasing their products and networking with various corporate entities and industry stakeholders. This year’s renewal saw 80 additional exhibitors participating, representing a significant increase over the number in 2016. The event is held annually in a...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, enjoys a sample of Devon House ‘I Scream’ at the official opening of the expanded parlour on the grounds of Devon House in Kingston on July 24. Others (from left) are: Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister, Hon. Olivia Grange; former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Edward Seaga; and Managing Director of Scoops Unlimited, Carol Clarke-Webster.

9 years ago Tourism

Bigger, Better Ice Cream Parlour Opens at Devon House

Lovers of the world-famous Devon House ‘I Scream’ can now enjoy their favourite treat in a more spacious and comfortable setting. On Tuesday (July 25), Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, officially opened the expanded parlour located at the north lawns of the Devon House property. The approximately 5,000 square feet facility, built through $28 million in funding from the Tourism...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, makes his presentation at the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston on Wednesday (July 26). Listening (from 2nd left) are: Chairperson of the Gastronomy Network and Linkages Council Member, Nicola Madden-Greig; Executive Director, Tourism Product Development Company Limited (TPDCo), Dr. Andrew Spencer; and Edward Wray of the Rasta Indigenous Village.

9 years ago DiasporaTourism

Diaspora a Powerful Market for Tourism – Bartlett

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the Government is committed to harnessing the potential of the Diaspora in ensuring the sustainable growth of the industry. “The truth is that 11 to 15 per cent of tourism arrivals in Jamaica come from the Diaspora, so Diaspora tourism is vital to us and is critical. That means $250 million to $300...

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, speaking on the final day of the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference about the Jamaica House concept returning to the United Kingdom in August. The conference was held in Kingston from July 23-26.

9 years ago CultureTourism

Jamaica House Returns to the UK

Jamaica House O2 returns to the United Kingdom (UK) in August to celebrate one of the nation’s most accomplished athletes, Usain Bolt, when he runs his final competitive race in August at the World Games. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia “Babsy” Grange, speaking on the final day of the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference at the Jamaica...

9 years ago Tourism

Tourism on Course for Record-Breaking Growth – Bartlett

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the sector is on course for “record -breaking growth” this year. He said that revenue earnings for the first half of the year is estimated at US$1.84 billion, which is an increase of over eight per cent compared to the first six months of 2016. The Minister was addressing Wednesday’s (July 26) session...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (second left), bites into a ‘Bad Dawg’ sandwich at the launch of Devon House as the first Gastronomic Centre in Kingston on May 29. Others (from left) are: Head of the Tourism Linkages Network, Carolyn McDonald Riley; Chairperson of the Gastronomy Tourism Network, Nicola Madden-Greig, and Senior Director of Technical Services in the Ministry, David Dobson.

9 years ago Tourism

Plans Well Advanced to Market Jamaica as Hub for Gastronomic Tourism

The rich, authentic and tantalising tastes of Jamaican foods and wines are to be showcased when well-advanced plans by the Tourism Ministry to market Jamaica as a hub for Gastronomic Tourism materialise. The Ministry’s first step in claiming a piece of that market is the establishment of a number of Gastronomic Centres across the island, with Devon House, in Kingston,...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, emphasises a point while addressing journalists
at Wednesday’s (July 19) post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House. Seated (from
left) are: Press Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister, Naomi Francis; and Education,
Youth and Information Minister, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid.

9 years ago Tourism

Government Rescinds Decision to Sell Land in St. James

The Government has rescinded its approval for the sale of 96.5 acres of land at a section of the Success Estate in Rose Hall, St. James, known as North Estate, to Celebrate Jamaica Limited for US$40.1 million. According to Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, this resulted from the entity’s failure to execute certain prerequisites for the property’s development as an...