Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says Jamaica’s cruise shipping industry is being repositioned to better enable it to generate significantly higher earnings. This, he says, is aimed at ensuring that the tourism industry is able to record the US$5 billion in annual earnings being targeted to materialize by 2021. Mr. Bartlett made the announcement while speaking at the Ministry’s linkages...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the ‘Spruce Up Jamaica’ tourism summer internship programme has been playing a major role in providing well-trained and dedicated professionals for the hospitality sector. Under the programme, which was launched in the summer of 2008, young people ages 17 to 25, are placed in tourism-related entities where they are trained in various areas of...

Well respected tourism rating company, Trip Advisor has ranked Jamaica as the number one Caribbean tourist destination. Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, who made the disclosure while addressing a ‘Spruce Up Jamaica’ tourism summer internship rally in Montego Bay on Thursday (August 11), credited the ranking to improvements to the tourism product and “the high class, white glove service that...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the Spruce Up Jamaica Tourism Summer Internship programme has been playing a major role in building well-trained and dedicated professionals for the industry. Under the programme, young persons between 17 and 25 years of age are placed in summer jobs across the island where they are trained in various areas. They receive a stipend...

The Ministry of Tourism is drafting a policy that will govern the five linkage networks shortlisted to spur further growth in the sector. These include gastronomy, sport and entertainment, health and wellness, shopping, and knowledge. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, said the policy should be completed by the end of September to enable him to make a Cabinet submission...

Fourteen-year-old Gabriella Spence is no ordinary teen. The youngster, who has a passion for jewellery making has turned her hobby talent into a business. Gabriella, who was the youngest participant in the second staging of the ‘Christmas in July’ exhibition, held recently at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, says she began selling her creations to family and friends...

The Tourism Ministry is partnering with the National Export-Import Bank to provide a $500-million loan facility for the sector’s small and medium-size goods and service providers. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, said that negotiations are being finalised for the establishment of the facility, through which persons in select sectors will be able to access up to $25 million. He was...