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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...

Opposition Spokesman on Tourism, Dr. Wykeham McNeill, has urged the Government to consider extending the stimulus package offered to tourism stakeholders to counter the impact of the global economic recession on the sector. The stimulus package, which was announced by Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding late last year, and which expired on July 1, offered a 50 per cent...

Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX), the premier event for the travel industry locally has, since its existence, grown exponentially over the years. The trade show, which began some 19 years ago, is a collaborative effort between the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), and is supported by every Jamaican organisation involved in the development, promotion...

Some $500 million have been earmarked, from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), for a comprehensive upgrading programme for the resort town of Ocho Rios, St. Ann. This was disclosed by Tourism Minister, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, at the Government's Town Hall meeting at the Ocho Rios High School, St. Ann, on Wednesday (July 15). He said that the plan is...

Two groups, totalling 180 travel agents and journalists from Ecuador, are visiting Jamaica on a familiarisation trip, July 13- 21. The trip is part of the Ministry of Tourism's new advertising and marketing thrust. The first group of 90 Ecuadorians arrived on Monday at the Donald Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, St. James, where they were officially welcomed by representatives...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has said that airlift security strategies, adopted by Jamaica to increase arrivals from existing and emerging markets, are yielding good results. Speaking at the weekly Post Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday (July 1), Mr. Bartlett said that for the Fall period, Air Jamaica sold some 3,000 seats within the first two...