• Salutations
  • Mrs. Jennifer Griffith, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism
  • Mrs. Jeanelle Van Glaanenweygel, Director of the OAS Country Office
  • Mr. Ian Dear, Chairman of the Tourism Product Development Company
  • Mr. Clyde Harrison, Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund
  • Mr. Dennis Hickey, Executive Director of the Tourism Product Development Company
  • Members of the Board and members of the Executive Management Team
  • Mr.

• Ladies and Gentlemen, Good evening.
• I am pleased to be here to officially launch Jamaica Experiences - a great multimedia enterprise (web, mobile app, television, magazine and newspaper) that promotes Jamaica and showcases our tourism product.
• I have great admiration for David Hall – the driving force behind Jamaica Experiences – as a tourism partner and as a friend.
• David is a charismatic and visionary bus

• Let me extend a warm welcome to everyone here this morning. It is a pleasure to be here in beautiful Montego Bay – the island’s tourism capital – for the third staging of the Tourism Linkages Speed Networking Event.

SALUTATIONS:

Good morning ladies and gentlemen,

I am indeed honoured that I have been invited to convey greetings here today at the opening of the University Diabetes Outreach Programme’s 22^nd Annual International Diabetes Conference. I welcome you all to what I know will be an educational and informative programme with this rich combination of academics, researchers, diabetes associations, healthcare practitioners and industry partners.

SALUTATIONS:

• Master of Ceremonies...
• Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Mrs. Jennifer Griffith and other Ministry officials
• Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, John Lynch 
• Director of Tourism, Mr. Paul Pennicook
• President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Mrs. Nicola Madden-Greig,
• Delegates and tourism partners all
• Members of the media
• Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

Good evening…

INTRODUCTION

• While Pan American was the first commercial airline to arrive in Jamaica in 1930, British Airways has offered the longest continual service. The first British Airways flight arrived in Jamaica in September 1946 under the banner of the British Overseas Airways Corporation.

•  The flight was made using Lancastrian G-AGWL Star Guide with an average flying speed of 220 mph (354 km/h) – less than half the average speed of modern commercial jets.

• Reggae Sumfest is major event on the international music calendar.
• That this event is in its 24^th year is proof that it is one of the world’s premier music festivals.
• The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) estimates 6,000 visitors come to the island for the festival each year.
• It has significantly enhanced Jamaica’s international profile as more and more reggae music fans converge on Montego Bay to enjoy great music in a remarkable destination.
• Reggae music and culture have developed a global appeal from the great

• Delivering on the commitment to generate growth and foster prosperity is the key objective of the Government. One of our main goals is to ensure the sustainable development of our nation and an improved standard of living for every Jamaican.
• The tourism industry will be instrumental in achieving these targets.

• Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Morning.
• It is my pleasure to welcome you to the inaugural meeting of the Tourism Competitiveness Task Force.
• The focus of the Ministry of Tourism and our Agencies is to reposition tourism to generate higher growth rates in both visitor arrivals and earnings.
• Our targets:
  • Secure 5 million visitors by 2021
  • US$ 5 billion in tourism earnings
  • Increase the total direct jobs to 125,000
  • 15,000 new rooms.

• If we are to achieve these growth targ