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Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, said that the Government and tourism stakeholders are examining the contribution of the sector to the country’s development through several studies. “At present, our Ministry is conducting a study of the economic impact of the tourism sector, which is scheduled for completion in April of this year,” he informed.  This, he...

The St. Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation has launched a website (www.visitstelizabeth.com.jm), to promote tourism in the parish, and expose other developmental activities to targeted audiences. The website is being financed from a grant of $4.9 million provided by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), and a $2.58 million contribution from the community. It was launched on Wednesday (January 18). Speaking at...

Twenty-five Jamaicans are being recruited for employment at the Kiawah Island Resort in the United States. They will join over 130 Jamaicans already employed at the resort in Charleston, South Carolina. Speaking in an interview with JIS news on Thursday (January 19), Minister of Labour and Social Security Hon. Derrick Kellier, said the initiative is in keeping with the Government’s...

Newly appointed Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, has described Jamaica's resounding success at the 2011 World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony, held on January 11 in Doha, Qatar, as a ‘monumental achievement'. This as Jamaica won the coveted award for World's Leading Honeymoon Destination, and was recognized for the sixth consecutive year as the...

Only minutes after being officially sworn into office, Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, and his colleague Minister of State, the Hon. Damion Crawford, hit the ground running as they moved swiftly to secure detailed information on the activities of the Ministry which they now lead. Minister McNeill explained that “following the swearing in ceremony we...

Several communities across the island are slated to benefit from grant funding to support community tourism initiatives under the National Best Community Competition and Programme (NBCCP). Chairperson of the National Steering Committee of the NBCCP, Jacqueline daCosta, told JIS News that the grant, to be provided by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), will be used to train persons in...

Against the background of projections for a five percent increase in tourist arrivals for the 2011/2012 winter tourist season over 2010/2011, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, was at the Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, Thursday (December 15), for the official start of the new season. December 15 marks the start of the season, annually, and the first to disembark...

MONTEGO BAY — Against the background of projections for a five per cent increase in tourist arrivals for the 2011/2012 winter tourist season over 2010/2011, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, was at the Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, Thursday December 15, 2011 for the official start of the new season. December 15 marks the start of the season, annually,...

An inaugural COPA Airways direct commercial flight, out of Panama’s Tocumen International Airport, arrived at the Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, on Sunday December 11, 2011 with approximately 150 passengers. The flight signalled the start of twice weekly service by COPA Airlines to Montego Bay, which should boost Jamaica’s tourist arrivals for the rest of the year. The new service...

Cabinet has given approval for the maintenance of verges and medians in several resort areas of St James and St Ann. The projected cost is  JM $57.2 million which is part of the ‘Spruce Up Jamaica, Nice Up Yuself’ initiative to create an attractive environment in the resort areas.  Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator Arthur Williams told the November 23 post cabinet...

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, has expressed concern about the lack of recognition of Tourism within the education system. “One of the things that worries me most, is the extent to which, for example, at the Tertiary level in this country, Tourism is being looked at in a negative light, and a lack of understanding of the revenue contribution...

KINGSTON — The Ministry of Tourism is reporting net increase of 3,000 additional jobs in the accommodation sector over the past three years, while expansion projects are expected to generate 21,648 direct/permanent jobs across the industry between 2011 and 2013. Figures from the Ministry of Tourism indicate that the industry continues to be a prime job creator, with persons employed...