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MONTEGO BAY - Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill says the link between culture and tourism is essential to marketing, noting that Jamaica's people, culture, and heritage should be the country's main marketing tools. "The question we must ask ourselves is, are we doing enough to tell the story," he said. Dr. McNeil was addressing the official...

Members of the local craft sector are anxiously anticipating the implementation of a Craft Authority, which will manage, maintain and market the sector in Jamaica. Plans for the Craft Authority were announced by State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Damion Crawford, during his Sectoral Debate presentation in the House of Representatives on July 2. "The decision...

The Government is embarking on a project to restore and maintain the birthplaces of Jamaica’s National Heroes and Prime Ministers. Making the announcement during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on July 2, Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, noted that this is being undertaken “to protect our heritage and show...

A number of resort areas are slated to benefit from major rehabilitation and upgrading this year at a cost of $1.2 billion. The projects, which are being funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), will benefit Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Negril and Port Royal. “Already, Memoranda of Agreements have been signed and a total of $550 million has been put...

The Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment is seeking to address the concerns surrounding the Noise Abatement Act, and entertainment zoning, by establishing designated areas, beginning with three parishes. Making the disclosure at a post-Sectoral Debate press briefing at Jamaica House, on Wednesday, July 3, State Minister for Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Damion Crawford, explained that four zones (A-D) are being...

Jamaica is seeking to tap into China’s burgeoning travel market to increase arrivals to the island and boost tourism earnings. China is currently regarded as the biggest and fastest growing source market for tourism, with the country’s travellers spending a record US$102 billion on international tourism in 2012. Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, in his 2013/14 Sectoral...

Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, says cruise ship visitor arrivals to Jamaica are projected to surpass the 1.4 million mark by the end of 2014, for the first time. This is based on the port of call itinerary of a number of cruise lines, whose ships are scheduled to dock in Jamaica. Making his 2013/14 Sectoral Debate...

The Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment is looking to maximise the economic potential of the country’s cultural product, through the staging of two major entertainment events. The events, which will target locals as well as visitors to the island, are ‘90 Days of Summer’ and ‘Kingston in February’. To be held from mid-May to mid-August each year, ‘90 Days of...

The Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment is seeking to have Kingston designated a ‘Creative City’ by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). State Minister in the Ministry, Hon. Damion Crawford, made the announcement on Tuesday, July 2, during his contribution to the 2013/2014 Sectoral debate in the House of Representatives. He said the Ministry is examining the...

The Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment is moving ahead with plans to establish an Entertainment Registry, which will certify and register local entertainment practitioners. Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Damion Crawford, in his Sectoral Debate presentation on Wednesday, June 3, explained that the registry will provide an information hub “that facilitates the delivery and...

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, has assured that funding is in place to implement the $1.2 billion transformational development projects, which he announced in his Sectoral Debate presentation on July 2, in the House of Representatives. The Minister pointed out that the plans and activities span several agencies, with gestation periods of up to nine months....

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, says that although the increase in Britain’s Air Passenger Duty (APD) is still having a negative impact on travel to the Caribbean, Jamaica has managed to “turn the corner.” Noting that it is “early days yet,” Dr. McNeill explained that a number of activities have boosted Jamaica’s profile in the United...