More

The island welcomed approximately 1.3 million visitors between January and August this year. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, announced the figure on August 28, when he welcomed the one millionth visitor to the Sangster International Airport, in Montego Bay, St. James. Mr. Bartlett told JIS News that he was "cautiously optimistic" that the Fall tourist season would be "reasonable,"...

Jamaicans will be able to taste, see, feel and enjoy the country's tourism product at the 2010 Experience Jamaica Fun Day and Exposition on Sunday, September 5, on the South Lawn of Devon House. The event, which is being staged by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), as part of initiatives to encourage persons resident in Jamaica to vacation on the...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett will be among six Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Tourism Ministers and delegates from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), who will be meeting in London next week to discuss changes to the British Government's airline passenger tax regime. The meetings come just eight weeks before the Airline Passenger Duty (APD) is set to increase from

'Ackee and Saltfish' was the theme for the 'Jamaican Twist' band, at this year's Notting Hill Carnival in London, United Kingdom (UK) last week-end. The carnival band, which was once again sponsored by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), had costumed performers illustrating Jamaica's national dish. The 'carnival king' wore a spectacular saltfish costume in shimmering blue, surrounded by dozens of...

An interactive exhibition on the life of Jamaican singer, Laurel Aitken will open in October at the New Walk Museum and Art Gallery in Leicester, in the East Midlands of the United Kingdom. The 'Ska with Laurel' exhibition tells the story of the legendary Jamaican ska artiste, Laurel Aitken, who died in 2005. Described as a major force in ska...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, on Saturday (August 28) welcomed to Montego Bay, the country's one millionth visitor for 2010, Mrs. Angella Wilson, and her husband Mr. Aaron Wilson from New York, United States. The couple, who were visiting Jamaica together for the first time, was excited about the special surprise reception and said that they were looking forward...

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) continues in its quest to keep the Trelawny community, in general, and the Falmouth community, in particular, fully aware of the developments slated to take place in the town of Falmouth, through continued consultations and joint planning meetings with residents. The latest Falmouth Stakeholders Consultation and Planning Meeting was held at the Breezes Resort and...

Over 1,000 students from six countries across the world are participating in a three-day International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Camp at the Sunset Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios, St. Ann. The camp, which is being held for the first time in Jamaica, seeks to enrich and strengthen the hearts, minds and bodies of the youth, while promoting unity. Addressing the official...

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, has voiced his displeasure about the way the landscaping at the proposed public park, at the Old Hospital site, Gloucester Avenue, Montego Bay, is being done. Mr. Bartlett stated that he has instructed the administrators at the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), the financiers of the project, not to pay over any more money to...

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...