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Director of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Denzil Thorpe, is reminding NIS contributors that effective August 2010, persons who earn more than $500,000 per annum will be required to contribute more to the scheme. Speaking at a JIS 'Think Tank' on August 19, Mr. Thorpe said that the increase in contributions is one of the recommendations arising from an actuarial...

The Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), the agency of government charged with developing and improving the island's tourism product, is placing emphasis on community-based tourism as a means of attracting more visitors to the island. Addressing the Manchester Development Committee's quarterly meeting on July 28 at the Ridgemount United Church in Mandeville, TPDCo Regional Coordinator, Fabian Holness, said that the...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says that at 52 per cent, Jamaica enjoys the highest level of repeat visitors in the region, and arguably the world, which he credits to the high level of customer service provided through a range of product offerings. Speaking at the recent Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) Chairman's Club breakfast forum at the Jamaica...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, on Wednesday (July 28) announced Cabinet's approval of the Tourism Industry Refurbishment Programme (TIRP), as part of efforts to boost the sector and grow revenues. Under the new incentive programme, tourism entities licensed by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), which are tax compliant, will be allowed a concessionary import duty rate of 10 per cent...

Representatives from the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) signed a $100 million contract, for phase four works under the 'Spruce Up Jamaica, Nice Up Yuhself' project, on July 28. The one-year contract has been awarded to the NSWMA for the proposed all-island bushing, cutting of medians and verges along the roadway and...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says Kingston has begun to record improvement in visitor arrivals, following a fall-out resulting from the West Kingston unrest in May. This comes as welcomed news for the capital city's tourism product, which Mr. Bartlett, last month, said was dented by the unrest, losing significant business in its aftermath. He pointed out then that occupancies...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is inviting black Americans to invest in the country's tourist sector. He said that while African Americans have a lot of spending power, accounting for nearly 40 per cent of the country's tourist earnings, they should not only seek to vacation on the island, but to set up projects in areas of accommodation, entertainment, cultural...

There are indications that the marketing initiative undertaken by the Tourism Ministry in key overseas markets, to counter the negative publicity generated by the West Kingston unrest, is yielding fruit. In the aftermath of the unrest in May, Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, announced a major US$10 million marketing and promotional initiative, targeting the traditional United States, Canada and United...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says despite the West Kingston unrest in May, there is confidence among the country's overseas tourist market partners that Jamaica remains a safe vacation destination. Speaking at the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica's (PSOJ) Chairman's Club Forum Breakfast at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, today (July 21), Mr. Bartlett said the country's repeat visitor...

Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, on Friday (June 16) launched the 'Spruce Up Jamaica' Summer Internship Programme, through which approximately 800 students from across the island will be employed at tourism-related entities over a six-week period. The summer programme, which is in its third year, is sponsored by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), and targets students at the secondary...

Dolphin Cove, recipient of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association's (JHTA) Best Attraction Award for 2010, is expanding its operations to cater to both local and foreign patrons who contribute to making it a choice destination. The expansion, which should see the newest Dolphin Cove being opened at Point in Hanover, is expected to create employment for many young Jamaicans...

There is unity within the region regarding the need for further negotiations with the United Kingdom (UK) for adjustments to their Air Passenger Duty (APD), which continues to negatively affect the Caribbean tourism market. Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (left), speaking with Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, at the 31st Regular Meeting...