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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...

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...