Minister Bartlett Meets With US Ambassador to Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 09, 2016:   In a bid to further strengthen relations between Jamaica and the United States in the area of tourism Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett met with US Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Luis Moreno, and members of his team today (March 9).

During their meeting, which was held at the New Kingston offices of  the Ministry of  Tourism,  they had preliminary  discussions  on  the  prospects  for  preclearance  operations  privileges  to be  granted  to Jamaica.    This  framework,  which  is  being  expanded  by  the  United  States,  currently  applies to  some  15 foreign  airports  in  six  different  countries.  Caribbean  islands  which  have such  privileges  include  The Bahamas, Bermuda, Aruba as well the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana).

Preclearance  allows  US  Border  inspection  and  clearance  of  commercial  airline  passengers  and  their goods and is typically the same inspection which a traveller would undergo at a US port of entry. Hence passengers who go through preclearance do not have to undergo a second inspection upon arrival in the US.  This is an initiative that Minister Bartlett strongly believes will be beneficial to the  tourism industry as it will, among other things, facilitate ease of travel for passengers. Minister Bartlett indicated that it is crucial for us to  strengthen the relationship between Jamaica and the United States.

I am convinced that once this is done it will help to drive investment in the sector and open doors for the entry of more US brands in the local tourism industry.Among the other issues discussed were efforts to further boost visitor safety and steps to enhance the Tourism Courtesy Corp.  This  is  Ambassador  Moreno’s  second  meeting  with  a  member  of  newly  appointed  Cabinet,  which  was sworn in on Monday March 7, 2016. The US Ambassador and his staff are also the first foreign officials to meet with Mr. Bartlett since his return to the Ministry in his second stint as Minister.