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Today is being celebrated worldwide as World Tourism Day, under the theme "Tourism: Celebrating Diversity". This theme is appropriate because diversity is one of the driving forces behind tourism, as it creates stronger ties with the people of other countries. It is therefore an undisputed catalyst for building understanding, fostering social inclusion and promoting higher standards of living. If there...

Jamaica, with its rich history, has the potential to cash in on the cultural heritage tourism market, which is estimated by the World Tourism Organisation, to generate more than 160 million trips per annum. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has said that with the exception of Cuba and Puerto Rico, "there is no other Caribbean island, which can boast...

Encouraged by the more than $27 billion, which Jamaicans spent on local attractions in 2007, Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is urging nationals to embrace the concept of domestic tourism. The Ministry is promoting the concept through the 'Experience Jamaica' campaign, which was launched on Sunday (Sept. 6) at Devon House. Mr. Bartlett, in his remarks at the event, noted...

Tour companies and hotel operators are to benefit from a 15 per cent reduction on custom duties for Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and other high-end motor vehicles. These industry players will also be exempt from special consumption tax (SCT), as part of the Government's stimulus package. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, made the announcement at a press briefing at...

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) will be launching its 'Experience Jamaica' campaign on Sunday, September 6, geared at encouraging locals to taste, see, feel and enjoy more of the country's tourism product and offerings. The launch of Experience Jamaica will take the form of a free family fun day at the East Lawns of Devon House and will feature a...

Despite the negative impact of the global recession on world tourism, Jamaica's tourism sector has grown by 3.7 per cent since the start of the year, with 40,000 more tourists vacationing in the island over the similar period last year. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, speaking at a press briefing held at his New Kingston office this morning (Sep....

Significant work in establishing the necessary framework that will mainstream disaster risk reduction and management has already been undertaken in at least two sectors, Mitigation Programme Officer at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Ms. Kareema Aitkens-Mitchell, has disclosed. Speaking at a recent workshop on: 'Strengthening Partnerships for Disaster Risk Reduction', at the Planning Institute of Jamaica...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has said that Jamaica's overwhelming presence at the 12th International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Athletics Championships, currently underway in Berlin, Germany, is exactly what the country's tourism industry needs, in order to improve visitor arrivals from that European nation. Minister Bartlett arrived in Berlin on Thursday (Aug. 13) and has been busy meeting...

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is wooing church groups in the United Kingdom (UK) as it seeks to bring more visitors into the island. More than 30 Diaspora and mainstream church leaders from various denominations were invited to a special brunch at the Jamaican High Commission in London on Tuesday (Aug. 11), where they were urged to consider Jamaica as...

Agriculture and tourism continue to be the strongest performers in the Jamaican economy, according to the Bank of Jamaica's Quarterly Economic Report for April-June, which was released Wednesday (August 12). The Report said that Agriculture continues to be one of the few sectors to record positive growth, despite the impact of the global economic crisis. Its recovery is expected to...

A $160 million contract for extensive beautification and environmental work in resort areas, over the next six months, has been signed between National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) and the Tourism Product Development Company Limited (TPDCo). Signing took place Tuesday (August 11) at a press briefing held at the Ministry of Tourism, New Kingston. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett,...

With the promoters of Reggae Sumfest 2009 declaring a record attendance this year, one of the festival's main sponsors, The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), says it is satisfied with the returns from the part it has played in sponsoring the event. Addressing a Reggae Sumfest Press Conference, at the Iberostar Hotel in Lilliput, St. James, on Friday (July 24), Deputy...