Cruise passenger arrivals are projected to increase to a record 1.4 million passengers this calendar year. “The first four months of this year have shown an increase of 3.6 per cent, representing an impressive recovery from a decline of 4.2 per cent last year,” Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill said. He was making his contribution to...

The Government is to spend $400 million this year, under the first phase of a major upgrading project in the resort town of Negril, in Westmoreland. This phase includes rehabilation works to the main road that links Sheffield to Negril from the South Coast; as well as Norman Manley Beach Park. Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill made...

Preliminary figures from the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment show that Jamaica received 10,000 additional stopover visitors during the 2013/14 winter tourist season. This represents a two per cent increase over the previous corresponding period. This increase, according to Portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, has resulted in a number of “positive trends” currently occurring in the tourism industry in...

The Ministries of Tourism and Entertainment, and Industry, Investment and Commerce, have collaborated for the development of a major economic initiative aimed at attracting more local and foreign investments into the economy. The ‘Shovel-Ready’ Project Initiative is being developed as part of efforts to pre-package a number of investment opportunities that will streamline and expedite the process of investment in...

Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Clyde Harrison, has reported that the entity spends an estimated $2 billion each year on projects and programmes geared at enhancing the nation’s tourism product. Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on May 6, the Executive Director pointed out that the funds are primarily allocated for the beautification and upgrading of major...

The number of rooms in the hotel sector has been boosted by an additional 140 units, with the opening of the first Sensatori Hotel by Karisma Hotel and Resorts, in Negril, Westmoreland, on April 28. Karisma owns and manages five other Sensatori Resorts in the world, with Sensatori Negril being the first of the group to be established in the...

On May 21, Jamaica will join several other countries around the world, which have Poet Laureates appointed by their governments. On that day, distinguished academic, University of the West Indies (UWI) Professor Emeritus, Mervyn Morris, who has been selected for the prestigious position, will receive the official Badge of Office, thereby formalising his appointment. Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon....