Latest

Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill (left), speaks with Professor Emeritus, University of the West Indies (UWI), Mervyn Morris, during a recent ceremony at the National Library of Jamaica (NLJ), downtown Kingston, where Professor Morris was announced as Jamaica’s first official Poet Laureate.

Prestigious Poet Laureate Appointment for Professor Mervyn Morris

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...

Local craft items on display in the Negril Craft Market, Westmoreland. The Ministry of Tourism is spearheading a craft strategy, placing more emphasis on authentic Jamaican creations, to ensure that greater benefits are derived from the $4 billion art and craft industry.

New Direction for Craft Industry

Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill (left), having a light conversation with Professor Emeritus, University of the West Indies (UWI), Mervyn Morris (centre), and wife, Helen Morris, during Tuesday’s (April 15) ceremony at the National Library of Jamaica (NLJ), downtown Kingston, where Professor Morris was announced as Jamaica’s first official Poet Laureate.

Professor Mervyn Morris Appointed Poet Laureate

Jamaicans Encouraged to Take Advantage of Discount Packages

State Minister for Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams (2nd left), performs the symbolic ribbon cutting exercise to officially open the Rastafari Indigenous Village, located in Irwin, West Central St. James, of which she is also the Member of Parliament, on April 4. Sharing the occasion are: Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Michael Troupe (right); member of the Rastafari Village, Iyara (2nd right); and General Manager, Project Implementation, Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Loy Malcolm.

Rastafari Village opened in St. James

12 years ago Tourism

Community Tourism Crucial to Industry – Minister McNeill

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr Wykeham McNeill has hailed the Mannings School Westmoreland Curry Festival as an excellent example of economic linkages between tourism and agriculture. Speaking with JIS News at the 14th staging of the festival at the school grounds in Savanna-la-mar on Sunday, April 27, Minister McNeill said the curry festival is the perfect example of...

12 years ago Budget 2014/2015Finance & Public ServiceTourism

Tourism on Growth Path

For the quarter ending December 31, 2014, tourism grew at a rate of 6 per cent, even though a number of rooms were out of service. Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, made the announcement as he opened the 2014/15 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Thursday, April 17. He also informed that the tourism sector will see a lot of new rooms...

12 years ago Budget 2014/2015Tourism

$14.9 Million for Hotel Energy Project

The Government will be spending $14.9 million on the Caribbean Hotel Energy and Action Project in the 2014/15 fiscal year. Details of the project are included in the Estimates of Expenditure, to be considered by the Standing Finance Committee of Parliament from April 8 to 10. The project seeks to improve the competitiveness of the Caribbean hotel industry; move towards...

Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill (2nd right), cuts the ribbon to formally open the newly refurbished Berrydale rafting station and loading bay in Portland on Wednesday (April 2). The loading bay, which was refurbished at a cost of $2.8 million, is one of four projects undertaken in the parish by the Tourism and Entertainment Ministry at a cost of over $48 million, with funding provided by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF). Assisting the Minister (from left) are: Port Antonio Mayor, Councillor Benny White; Portland’s Custos Rotulorum, Hon. Lincoln Thaxter; Member of Parliament for East Portland, where the facility is located, Dr. Lynvale Bloomfield; Tourism and Entertainment State Minister, Hon. Damion Crawford.

12 years ago Tourism

Projects Completed in Portland to Boost Tourism

Portland’s residents and visitors should benefit significantly from four major projects undertaken at a cost of over $48 million, to boost tourism in the parish. The projects, carried out by the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, include repairs to over three kilometres of roadway between the communities of Fellowship and Berrydale, at a cost of $20 million; refurbishing of the...

12 years ago Tourism

Health and Wellness Tourism Sub-Sector Growing

The Government is continuing to make the development and diversification of the tourism product a priority, guided by the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development, Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, notes that a joint ministerial body has, therefore, drafted a policy and strategy on health and wellness tourism in Jamaica, identifying medical tourism as the focal...

Prime Minister the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller (left), is assisted by and Executive Chairman, Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa, Dr. Henry Lowe, as she cuts the ribbon to launch the newly redeveloped facility on March 25, at its Lady Musgrave Road location, in Kingston.

12 years ago Tourism

Eden Gardens Ready for Health Tourism Market

The management of the recently re-branded Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa has set its sights on entering the health tourism market. “We want to make this a major tourist attraction in Kingston. We want it to become a tour stop, just like other places. We want to ensure that for wellness tourism, it becomes a centre of excellence,” says...

Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica, Rear Admiral Peter Brady. (FILE)

12 years ago TourismTransport

Jet Ski Operators Urged To Register By March 31

The Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) is reminding jet skis owners to register their water craft by the March 31 deadline. So far, the Authority has registered approximately 100 jet skis under an island-wide inspection and registration drive, which seeks to account for, and regulate the operations of these water craft. Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill in...