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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...

Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, says that Cabinet has approved the development of the Boscobel Aerodrome, St. Mary, as an International Port of Entry (IPE). Mr. Vaz, who made the announcement during the weekly Post Cabinet press briefing Wednesday (October 21) at Jamaica House,...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says that a record number of Canadian visitors are expected in the island during the upcoming winter tourist season. "Canada is our fastest growing market," said Minister Bartlett. "Two years ago, the Canadian market was providing around 150,000 Canadian stopover visitors and for this year, we're looking at close to 300,000, which represents a...

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...