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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...

Chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Godfrey Dyer, is blaming tardiness on the part of public servants for delays in starting many of the projects approved for financing by his organisation. "It is frustrating, some of these projects we approved two years ago and nothing is done yet. We have approved projects to the tune of $2.3 billion, and...

Six Canadians who were involved in an incident during which their vehicle was hit by gunshots, along the Spanish Town Road, earlier this evening have been safely returned to their hotel in Montego Bay. Following investigations by police and meetings with the Ministry of Tourism and the Jamaica Tourist Board, the Canadians made a stop at Jamaica House for a...

Six Canadian visitors, whose vehicle was hit by gunshots along the Spanish Town Road Thursday evening, have been safely returned to their hotel in Montego Bay. Following interviews by the police and meetings with the Ministry of Tourism and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), the Canadians stopped at Jamaica House for a brief meeting with Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce...

The Ministry of Tourism, through the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), has partnered with the University of Technology (UTech) to establish a Hospitality School in Montego Bay, St. James. The parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday (May 15) at the Ministry's New Kingston office to start the initiative. The Hospitality School, which will offer degree and certificate...

The Ministry of Tourism has increased its service and hospitality offerings to visitors to the island, with the staging of its first Care Awareness Seminar in Montego Bay, St. James for service providers. The seminar, held at the Wexford Court Hotel, today (May14), was designed to equip the service providers and workers with the requisite skills to respond positively to...

Jamaica is well positioned within the global tourism marketplace, and has nothing to fear from Cuba being opened up as a major tourist destination, said Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett. He was addressing local and international media personnel attending Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) 2009, at a press luncheon held yesterday (May 12) at the Half Moon Hotel in Montego Bay,...

Despite a downturn in tourist arrivals in some countries, Jamaica ended the year 2008 with a four per cent growth over the previous year. This growth has continued into 2009, with the arrival figure for January to April 2009 also showing an increase over the similar period for 2008. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, reported the increase at the...

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is upbeat about the prospects for the local tourism industry from his recent promotional trip to South America. "The Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and Director of Tourism, John Lynch, and I went on quite a trip in South America and we are pleased that the result is powerful, effective and forthcoming...