Vaccination uptake among tourism workers continues to increase with Chukka, Good Hope and Jamaica Inn added to the list of stakeholders reporting a high percentage of vaccinated staff. “We are 90 per cent vaccinated – our staff here – and we make sure that all of our staff facing the guests are vaccinated. It's so important for the push to...

Jamaica could host some of the biggest cruise ships next year, courtesy of Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. The strong possibility has local officials swooning, knowing fully well that such a reality would put Jamaica right there at the top as a first-choice destination, and with the prestige that comes with the endorsement from the two biggest cruise companies...

The name John Byles, while synonymous with tourism, is also known for hard work, professionalism, and dedication to serving his country. For more than 20 years, the Montego Bay native has given yeoman contribution to tourism as Executive Deputy Chairman of Chukka Caribbean Adventures, which is one of the largest attraction companies in the region, and serving on various boards...

The back-to-back visits of cruise ships to Ocho Rios, St. Ann,  last week are being greeted by industry stakeholders as a “momentum builder” and a step in the right direction. The vessels brought nearly 6,000 visitors to the island over two days (September 21 and 22), bringing increased business for craft traders, taxi and bus operators, in-bond merchants, shop owners,...

Workers in the Tourism industry are calling on Jamaicans to mobilise themselves and participate  in  the Government’s national coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination programme. Hundreds of tourism workers, their families and friends turned out at the Tourism Vaccination Task Force’s COVID-19 Vaccination Blitz, held at Moon Palace in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on September 3. The Ministry of Tourism, in partnership with the Jamaica Hotel...

With the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) giving the greenlight earlier this month for cruise ships with fully vaccinated passengers to start sailing again from American ports, local stakeholders are bracing for what could be an earlier than expected return of cruise visitors to the island. Guidelines issued by the CDC allows ships to skip the simulated voyages,...

Ms. Vana Taylor has been working in the Tourism Industry for more than 30 years and has earned the respect of her peers as being the “go to” person, especially during times of crisis. As President of the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Taylor is also a powerful voice in the business community. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett,...

When Eustas “Piggy” Lindsay lost his popular jerk centre to fire in 2019 little did he know that James Bond would come to the rescue. Mr. Lindsay’s Piggy’s Jerk Centre, located along the picturesque Foreshore Road along the Port Antonio coastline, was a popular eating spot for British actor Daniel Craig, who plays Bond, and other cast and crew members...

The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) will, over the next three years, upgrade 10 beaches across the island as part of its Beach Development Programme, which is aimed at enhancing the facilities at public beaches for greater enjoyment. They are Watson Taylor Park in Hanover; Success, St. James; Priory, St. Ann; Rio Nuevo, St. Mary; Murdock Beach, St. Mary; Winnifred Beach,...