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A new Tourism Centre, that will house all the agencies of the Ministry of Tourism, was officially declared open yesterday (June 25) in Montego Bay S.James by Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding. Mr. Golding said despite criticisms that Government is moving to open this facility in these challenging economic times, he was pleased to be associated with this investment,...

Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding and Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett met with British Members of Parliament (MPs) in London on June 17, in an effort to increase the lobby against the imminent increase in Air Passenger Duty (APD). Among the MPs was Diane Abbott, the representative for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, who is of Jamaican descent. The...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says Jamaica could lose 30-50 million pounds as a result of the British Government's increase in Air Passenger Duty (APD) effective November. Mr. Bartlett, who is in London campaigning for a review of the classification criteria, met with British Members of Parliament (MPs) at Westminster on Wednesday (June 17) in a bid to increase...

United States (US), radio and television personality, Michael Baisden, will stage 'Island JAM Take-over 2009', in Jamaica, from June 25 to June 28, at SuperClubs Grand Lido Braco, in Trelawny. More than 650 listeners of the show in the United States, will be guests at hotels on the northcoast for several events to be staged during the four-day Jam sessions,...

The Government's investment promotion agency, Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Trade Centre (ITC), to support efforts to effectively promote the National Export Strategy among local stakeholders. The Geneva, Switzerland-based ITC, a joint agency of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations, enables small business export success in developing...

Despite the continuing fallout from the current economic meltdown, Jamaica's tourist industry is holding its own. In April, Jamaica recorded a 5.8 per cent increase in visitor arrivals, when compared with the similar period last year. According to Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and Director of Tourism, John Lynch, Jamaica received 109,413 in April 2009, when compared with...

Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI) and the London-based Middle East Association will jointly host a reception on Tuesday (June 30), in London England, to improve the business relationship between Jamaica and the Middle East. JTI became a member of the Middle East Association (MEA) in February. Its European Regional Manager, Laurence Jones, told JIS News that the agency is seeking...

Talks are underway between Tourism Ministers of the Caribbean and the United States State Department, for the placement of pre-clearance facilities in the region, which will allow for quicker and easier immigration clearance for American visitors to the Caribbean. Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, made the announcement at a reception hosted by the Washington Post newspaper at its Washington DC...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has said that Jamaica's tourism industry, which contributes 7.4 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), is poised to create jobs and fill the gap left by the collapse of the bauxite/alumina sector. He was speaking at Jamaica National Building Society's 'Outlook for the Future' forum on the Jamaican economy, held on June 6...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has said that Jamaica's recovery from the current global economic malaise will, to a large extent, depend on the quality of its human capital. "Jamaica's primary economic imperative is education, which is essential for building human capital," the Minister said. "An educated workforce will put Jamaica in a favourable position after the recession is...

Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has said the tourism industry continues to experience growth in key areas, and that the demand for trained personnel in all areas of the industry is great. "As we grow our room stock, as we expand the industry and as we bring more visitors to the country, the need for high quality service becomes...

The Government has announced that three Artisan Villages are to be established in Montego Bay, St. James Ocho Rios, St. Ann and Port Antonio, Portland. The Artisan Village is an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism to provide authentic Jamaican art and craft producers and vendors with a direct link with tourists. Speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing at...