Culture, Heritage Bedrock of Tourism says Bartlett

PORT MARIA, St Mary, Jamaica, Thursday, July 26, 2018:  Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett has underscored that “our culture and heritage are the bedrock upon which Jamaica’s tourism has been built” and must be preserved.

Describing it, he said “it is rich, vibrant, multi-cultural and born out of a dynamic and tumultuous history that has influenced our music, our food, our visual and performing arts, even our native tongue.”

It was in that context that Minister Bartlett welcomed Rio Nuevo Village in St Mary expanding its attractions to include rafting and kayaking. “This landmark northcoast attraction is evidence of Jamaica’s rich culture,” said Mr. Bartlett, adding that 30 acres was a historic site once home to one of the biggest Taino settlements in the parish. As a multi-dimensional attraction it offers a museum with one of the most comprehensive collections of Taino artefacts in Jamaica.

Rio Nuevo was also the site on which the British and Spanish armies fought in a battle that resulted in Jamaica becoming an English colony.

“We welcome attractions like Rio Nuevo Village which expand our offering and enhance the overall tourism experience,” said Minister Bartlett in declaring it open yesterday. “As Jamaicans, we have embraced our culture wholeheartedly; we fiercely defend it and are proud to share it with the world.”

He said while Jamaica was a sun, and a sea destination “the strategic direction of my ministry is taking us to transform the sector into a product-focussed one. This is the outgrowth of a global movement towards more interactive experiential tourism. More and more visitors are seeking life experiences through travel; they want to live as locals, engaging with the people of the destination they visit, walking the streets, eating their food and dancing to their music.”

Minister Bartlett also supported a call for the restoration of the Rio Nuevo Bridge and putting it as a candidate to UNESCO to be declared an international heritage site.

Rio Nuevo Village has been in operation for the past seven years and owner, David Wilson said he invested over US$2 million to develop the attraction. Rafting and kayaking will now add to the museum, nature walk and other activities. Future plans include construction of cottages and other projects which will be supported by partners who have joined in the venture.

Development of the attraction has been given the approval by the local authorities, including the St Mary Municipal Corporation and Port Maria Mayor Richard Creary.

Wednesday’s ceremony was chaired by Burchell James and included drumming by Moustafa Reds and blowing of the conch shell by Percival Kerr.