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Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is optimistic about a surge in arrivals for the upcoming Winter Tourist Season, which gets underway on December 15. He said that the country was able to secure over a million seats for the five-month period, which ends in April 2010. "We are looking into a Winter Season with greater hope and anticipation than last...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has said that tourism earnings for this year could eclipse 2008 figures, despite the global economic recession. Last year, the country earned approximately US$1.6 billion from tourism and Mr. Bartlett is predicting that revenue for this year could total US$2 billion. "Our earnings were trending down earlier this year, largely due to the need...

The St. Elizabeth Homecoming Foundation recently hosted representatives of a number of corporate entities in Kingston as the Foundation seeks to highlight the parish as the ideal place for Jamaicans and visitors to the island to visit and vacation. The touring party comprised human resource managers and other key personnel, who arrange vacations or outings for their staff, clients, and...

In its continued effort at sensitising workers about the deadly HIV/AIDS virus, through the promotion of a Tourism HIV/AIDS workplace policy, the Tourism Product Development Company Limited (TPDCo) launched a DVD entitled, 'Wanted - an HIV/AIDS Policy', at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort and Spa, in Montego Bay, St. James, on December 1. The DVD provides information on the benefits...

President of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, has expressed keen interest in learning about tourism development in Jamaica. President Kikwete, who was speaking at a luncheon held at the Sandals Grande Resort in Ocho Rios St. Ann during his visit to the parish on Tuesday (November 24), said he was looking to benefit from the...

Career opportunities in tourism available to young people, were highlighted by Director General in the Ministry of Tourism, Miss Carole Guntley, at a Tourism Youth Expo and Career Fair, held in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on November 5. Miss Guntley, who deputised for Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, told the young people that their support and co-operation with the tourist...

Jamaica is gearing up for more high-rollers and heavy spenders with Cabinet's recent approval of an 'inventory-enrichment strategy,' which will allow merchants to import more high-end products into the island. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, said in many cases, these luxury items were available in other countries. "The more the tourists spend, is the more money will be in...

British Airways (BA) made its inaugural non-stop flight from London's Gatwick Airport in England to Montego Bay St. James, with 280 passengers on board, on Thursday (October 29). The crew and passengers of the airline were met at the Sangster International Airport by a welcoming team, led by Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, and several representatives from the tourism...

Residents in Manchester have been challenged to consider community tourism as a viable economic option, to replace the fallout in the bauxite industry, due to the downturn in the world's economy. This charge was given by Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of Countrystyle Community Tourism Network, Mrs. Diana McIntyre-Pike, at the second in a series of quarterly 'Life After Bauxite'...

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, has defended his Ministry's decision to focus on resort areas in its Spruce Up Jamaica programme, financed by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF). "I, as Minister, will never be comfortable when the people who work in the industry and live within the precincts of the [palatial] hotels, leave this area of opulence and richness...

Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett, has insisted that the sector is the most resilient of all industries, with the "fastest capacity for turnaround". He reiterated the point at an awards ceremony for the Spruce Up Jamaica Tourism Essay Competition, at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, Friday (October 23). Supporting his statement, the Minister made the point that even the...

The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has approved $255 million for the rehabilitation and beautification of some of the island's landmarks and heritage tourism sites. Executive Director of TEF, Ian Neita, told JIS News that money has been allocated to improve some of the island's top heritage sites, in order to boost heritage tourism and enhance the overall tourism product and...