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Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, says the accomplishments of the Jamaican athletes at the London 2012 Olympic Games have already begun to show real results for the country's tourism prospects. "Already, our partners in England have said to us that the post-Olympic bookings out of Britain are impressive and in cases where we were trailing behind...

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, is reporting strong growth figures in cruise ship arrivals for the first eight months of the year. He informed that total cruise arrivals were recorded at 937,000 visitors for January to August, reflecting a 33.9 per cent increase over the 700,000 visitors for the corresponding period last year. Dr. McNeill was...

Commissioner of Customs, Major Richard Reese, said that the Jamaica Customs Department will be implementing a new policy on the importation of alcohol for the hotel sector. Providing details at the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce's (JCC) annual customs seminar at the Wyndham Hotel in New Kingston on Thursday (Sept. 27), he informed that distributors, who import alcohol on behalf of...

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, is calling for innovation in the management of energy, as a means to sustain the tourism sector and the Jamaican economy. The Minister, who was delivering the keynote address at a World Tourism Day ceremony, held on September 27, at Sandals Montego Bay, in St. James, emphasised that ways must be...

Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, says airlift to Jamaica out of the United Kingdom (UK) is already starting to see the effects of the 'Bolt Bounce'. The term was coined from the impact that the image of the ace Jamaican sprinter, Usain Bolt, is having on the market. Dr. McNeill noted that subsequent to the exposure that...

Organsiers of the annual Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) are confident that this year's event will once again be a success in showcasing the country’s tourism product and Brand Jamaica. The annual tourism marketing and trade show, organised by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) in collaboration with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), will be...

Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), Dennis Morrison, has underscored the importance of the diversification of markets in the tourist industry, and that the sector’s success will depend greatly on collaboration between the public and private sectors in that thrust. Pointing out that diversification of tourism markets has been a long stated objective of successive governments; Mr. Morrison said...

Activities are in high gear in Ocho Rios for the staging of Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) 2012, the country’s premier tourism trade show. Tourism Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, who spoke to journalists following a tour of the resort town on September 6, to assess the work being done, said Ocho Rios will be ready for the three-day event, which...

Director of Tourism, John Lynch, is maintaining that Jamaica received value for money during the recent Jamaica House 2012 promotions in London. Mr. Lynch presented a breakdown of the £969,652 budget, which he said was “money well spent”, at a press conference, held August 31, at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), in Kingston. “The visibility of Jamaica, because...

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, says discussions are to be held with all stakeholders in the cruise ship business within the Montego Bay area, with a view to improving that aspect of tourism. The Minister pointed out that Montego Bay has a number of attractive sites, but the city “needs some marquis attractions." "There are some...

Approximately 75 members of staff of the Grand Palladium Hotel in Point, Hanover, have graduated from a training course in food and beverage service and food preparation, which was carried out by the HEART Trust/NTA. The training course lasted  from January to July and  the successful participants have received the National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica (NVQJ) certificate, in keeping with...

State Minister for Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Damion Crawford, has underscored the importance of community service in the continued development of the country. Addressing a community service conference on August 23 at the University of Technology’s Papine campus in St. Andrew, Mr. Crawford pointed out that enhancing the lives of others through service is a rewarding experience. He noted, for...