Director of Tourism, Paul Pennicook says the twinning of Westmoreland with the city of Tottori Prefecture in Japan will assist the push to get more Japanese tourists to visit Jamaica. “The Japanese market remains a priority for Jamaica. In my visit to Tokyo in May, I met with a number of travel partners and airline companies to further develop packages...

Brand Jamaica is expected to be further bolstered through an ongoing initiative to promote the country’s tourism product, during the staging of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This will be done through ‘Jamaica House Rio’, a hospitality hub to be set up at Prado Jockey Club near the Olympic Stadium, where patrons from around the world will get...

The Tourism Ministry will be increasing access to funding for local artisans through partnerships with local financial institutions. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the Ministry is in discussions with the EXIM Bank, which will lead to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) soon. The MOU will enable the provision of $500 million for small and medium...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the Ministry is aiming to cut the massive number of imported art and craft items, by empowering Jamaican artisans. Addressing a Craft Enhancement Project Recognition and Awards ceremony on July 12, at the New Kingston Business Centre, the Minister said the Government will be placing more emphasis on the development of the creative...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says Jamaica will be doing away with visa requirements for a number of Latin American countries, in an effort to attract more visitors from that region. The Minister added that Poland and a few other European countries will also receive exemptions. Mr. Bartlett was speaking to JIS News, following a meeting with tourism industry...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is optimistic of continued growth in tourist arrivals for 2017. Addressing a press conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James, on July 4, Mr. Bartlett said that the summer tourism season “has started with a bang”, a trend he is expecting to continue throughout the fall and into the...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says 87 new district constables will be deployed to the resort areas of Montego Bay and Negril on July 19. This is among measures being put in place to underwrite the safety and security component of the Destination Assurance agenda, which is being crafted in collaboration with stakeholders across the industry. In a meeting...