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...

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...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the highest number of visitors for any July was recorded this year, amounting to 211,000. In an interview with JIS News, the Minister pointed out that the figure did not include nationals of Jamaica. Mr. Bartlett said that July’s performance is a clear indication of the outstanding performance of the tourism sector during this...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has announced the establishment of a special committee which has been charged with developing an entertainment industry policy for Jamaica’s tourism sector. Speaking recently at a ceremony for establishment of a new hotel in Montego Bay, Minister Bartlett disclosed that the committee, headed by entertainment promoter Kamal Bankie, is to focus on developing a policy...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the country is on course to exceed the 3.7 million tourists, who visited the island last year, bringing earnings of $2.5 billion. Since the start of the year, Jamaica has welcomed 2.1 million visitors, and $1.3 billion has been earned from the industry. The Tourism Minister was addressing scores of farmers and patrons...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett recently (July 29) broke ground in Montego Freeport for the establishment of Jamaica’s first Hard Rock Café, an international chain of theme restaurants. The US$2-Million facility, which is being spearheaded by businessman André Dixon, will be located at the former Seawind Beach Club on the Secrets Resorts property. The 400-seat café is scheduled to come...