Jamaica’s tourism earnings are expected to be “significantly higher” this year, exceeding pre-COVID-19 levels, says Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett. “We are looking now at earning in excess of US$4 billion this year, which would exceed 2019 figures by US$500 million to US$600 million,” he noted. He said that visitor arrivals, including from cruise, are projected to be above three...

The Ministry of Tourism will be launching its Innovation-based Tourism Incubator on September 30, during the observance of Tourism Awareness Week. Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ on September 12, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, said the incubator “will ferret new ideas, and then incentivise the ideas by providing funding support.” He noted that the facility’s establishment...

Jamaicans are being urged to take public order seriously, as blatantly disregarding it poses an existential threat to both tourism and the wider community. Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, made the appeal while addressing stakeholders in Negril, following the recent unveiling of a new welcome sign in the resort town. Mr. Bartlett said disregard for public order is currently the...

Spirit Airlines will begin direct service from Bradley International Airport, Hartford, Connecticut, United States, to Montego Bay, on December 15. The airline will provide four weekly non-stop flights and is the first to offer this service to Jamaica from Hartford. Speaking at a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board, Donovan White, said the...

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, continues to advocate for the development of a regional multi-destination tourism framework. Participating in the Caribbean Aviation Day multi-destination tourism panel discussion on Wednesday (September 14) in the Cayman Islands, he reiterated that “governments must work closely to examine the issues of tourism costs, air connectivity, the harmonisation of visa policies, airspace usage, and pre-clearance...

‘Rethinking Tourism’ is the theme for this year’s observance of Tourism Awareness Week (TAW), slated for September 25 to October 1. Speaking during a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank at the Agency’s head office in Kingston on Monday (September 12), Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, said several activities will be held to mark this year’s commemoration, which will incorporate...

Negril remains a major source of tourism revenue, raking in close to US$1 billion in earnings last year. Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, made the disclosure as he addressed the unveiling of the Negril welcome sign, close to the border of Hanover and Westmoreland, on September 9. He said the resort town’s contribution to the tourism recovery programme and the...