The Tourism Linkages Network is inviting persons specialising in locally manufactured hand crafted gifts, to participate in the 2016 renewal of ‘Christmas in July’. Head of the Network, Carolyn McDonald-Riley, told JIS News that the items being sought include those tailored for the tourism industry and corporate offices, among others. “The tourism industry uses gifts every day. We always have...

The Ministry of Tourism is pushing ahead with plans to construct artisan villages in resort areas across the island. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the first facility will be built in Ocho Rios, with others to be established in Montego Bay, Falmouth, Port Antonio, and Negril over the next five years. The Minister, who unveiled the design for the...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) will be using social media and other promotional means to go after the 35 million strong African American market. Mr. Bartlett said that in addition to booking advertising spots in the mainstream media, extra effort will be made to target minority groups. "There is a vast African American...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the Courtesy Corps will have to be more responsive and given the legal authority to act. “The duties of the Courtesy Corps simply need an enforcement component, where they can complement the police by having power of arrest and where they are more proactive in crime prevention and the harassment of our visitors,”...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says Jamaica will be seeking to pursue farm tourism, which has a lucrative travel market worldwide. He noted that many tour operators have been pushing this market in various countries and that Jamaica is geographically poised to benefit from it. “The link between agriculture and tourism is something that we take very seriously and...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the government will be moving to deal with the issue of visitor harassment in the sector. Addressing attraction owners and other stakeholders at the Ocho Rios Cruise Ship Pier, in St. Ann on May 20, Mr. Bartlett said harassment has become a perennial problem; which is being frowned upon by cruise officials as...

Farm tourism is fast developing into a lucrative travel market worldwide and one where Jamaica could easily gain a competitive advantage. General Manger of Round Hill Villas, Hanover, Omar Robinson, told a gathering of farmers at a press conference held recently at the Iberostar Hotel in St. James, that this is a niche market that could boost stopover arrivals. He...