Four Laws To Be Amended To Boost Tourism Sector

Four pieces of legislation that will go a far way in strengthening the country’s tourism sector are to be amended during the 2020/21 fiscal year.

These are the Bath of St Thomas the Apostle (Amendment) Act and Regulation and the Milk River Bath (Amendment) Act, which will facilitate the development and modernisation of the facilities through public-private partnership; the Tourist Board Act amendments to modernise and strengthen enforcement provisions; and the Travel Agency Act and Regulations to include procedures for the application and registration of travel agencies.

This was disclosed by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, who delivered the Throne Speech at the ceremonial opening of Parliament at Gordon House on Tuesday (February 11).

He noted that the tourism sector “continues to grow from strength to strength and in the new fiscal year, the focus will be on broadening our source markets for tourists through aggressive marketing”.

Turning to imperatives under the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Governor-General said that among the key priorities are review of the Domestic Violence Act, the Sexual Harassment Act, and Development of an Entertainment Industry Policy/Act as well as amendments to the Jamaica National Heritage Trust Act.

Additionally, he said that programmes aimed at reducing gender-based violence, including the activation of three national shelters for victims, will be addressed.

The Governor-General said that focus will also be placed on implementation of a Culture and Creative Industries Policy, which will provide for the building of capacity and development of structures, and introduction of entertainment, creative enterprise and sports zones/museums.