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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...

The Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment is proposing the introduction of parish extension committees to hear and grant extensions on entertainment permits. The Ministry is working on amendments to the Noise Abatement Act to contain the provision. The process involves collaboration with the Ministries of National Security, Local Government and Community Development, and Youth and Culture. In his contribution to...

Having successfully reduced the airport processing time for persons flying out of the island, the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment is currently moving to do the same for travellers coming into the country. Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, says a special Committee, which spearheaded efforts to reduce the processing time, particularly at the Sangster International Airport, in...

The Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment is moving to provide protection for one of the island’s foremost indigenous music forms, reggae. State Minister, Hon. Damion Crawford, said the Ministry is working with the Ministries of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Youth and Culture, and the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO), in preparing a Cabinet submission towards that objective. Mr. Crawford, who...

Hotels with up to 200 rooms are set to benefit from a $50 million Small and Medium Hotel Energy Efficiency Programme, to be implemented by the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment. The initiative is expected to lower energy cost for these properties, so as to enhance their competitiveness. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, who made the announcement during his...

The Government is exploring the option of upgrading existing performing arts venues to provide more space to accommodate audiences as well as technical equipment and personnel. State Minister for Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Damion Crawford, made the disclosure on Tuesday, July 2, during his contribution to the 2013/14 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives. He said that while it...