The first staging of ‘Arts in the Park,’ an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment as part of its effort to develop the entertainment sector, is being heralded as a major success. The inaugural event was held at Hope Botanical Gardens in Kingston on February 24, 2013, and provided a total cultural immersion into the visual and performing arts for both locals and visitors alike. This, with a reggae show billed in its entirety with new and emerging talent, coupled with a village for local artists to showcase their paintings, craft items and other forms of art.

Free to the public, the timing of its introduction was to facilitate its inclusion in the Reggae Month festivities. The event was also staged as part of an ongoing initiative to reposition Kingston as the ‘Entertainment Mecca’ of the Caribbean. Among the performers were several bands including Nomaddz, Pentateuch, Ska Rebirth, C-Sharp as well as Chronixx and Zinc Fence.

State Minister for Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Damion Crawford under whose portfolio the initiative falls, says “the execution of the show was good and I am very pleased that it has materialized after many months of consultation and planning. Similar events are slated to be held in other resort areas in the coming months so we are seeking to use this as a template to energize the entertainment sector and provide well needed exposure to local performers and artists.”

‘Arts in the Park’ was conceived to increase the quality of entertainment offerings locally, while providing opportunities for international booking and talent scouts to sign local acts and experience the ‘best of Jamaica.’ The initiative provides business networking opportunities for local bands with international agents from companies such as Warner Brothers/Atlantic Records, Sony/ATV Music, Blaze the Stage, St. Kitts Music Festival, and Roc Nation.

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill noted that “the feedback from agents who attended the first event has been positive and many of them are totally blown away. They have seen our artistes and they are saying that this is fabulous. I believe that the initiative will prove to be an excellent platform for the exposure of new and emerging talent.”

Underscoring the Minister’s belief, Omar Grant, Director of A&R at Roc Nation said “if we do more of this, giving a greater awareness of reggae music and more acceptance, it will actually cause a breakthrough and take it to another level, and more people in the US and in other countries would pay greater attention to reggae music and appreciate it more.”  

The ‘Arts in the Park’ initiative was developed through a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, the Entertainment Advisory Board, the Tourism Enhancement Fund, the Jamaica Tourist Board and entertainment stakeholders.

Fifteen vehicles were today presented to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) to enhance crime-fighting efforts in tourist resort areas in the parishes of Trelawny, St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland and St. Mary.  Acquired at a cost of $28.2 million, the presentation of the Toyota Corolla motor cars took place during a handing-over ceremony held at the office of the Commissioner of Police in Kingston.

Today’s donation is the latest move in TEF’s ongoing initiative to bolster the resources of the JCF. In May 2012 it presented 16 Sports Utility Vehicles to that body for use in tourist resort areas at a cost of approximately $32 million. In addition the Montego Hills Police Station in St. James has been refurbished at a cost of $6 million. Motorcycles have also been provided for the Montego Bay resort area through a collaborative effort with the St. James Police-Citizens Action Committee to the tune of $1.5 million to enhance the efforts of the traffic police in monitoring and enforcing traffic laws along the Elegant Corridor. Additionally there is an on-going project to repair two non-functional marine police vessels. This project is being undertaken at a cost of $1 million.

Speaking at the handing-over ceremony Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, under whose Ministry TEF falls, said “the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment through TEF, is pleased to partner with the Ministry of National Security and the JCF to reduce crime in the tourist resort areas and by extension Jamaica, through these initiatives.”

With respect to the national crime-fighting efforts, Minister McNeill used the opportunity to congratulate the Ministry of National Security and the JCF for the “fine results we have been seeing in recent years and in particular the past year, in reducing the crime rate.” He emphasized that “this is not only being done to safeguard our visitors, but our Jamaican citizens as well.”

mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">In thanking the Tourism and Entertainment Minister for the donation, Minister of National Security, Peter Bunting, said he is confident that Minister McNeill will be a consistent advocate to continue the investment in Jamaica’s national security and in a safe and secure environment for both tourists and all Jamaicans who live, work, do business and raise families.

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill has explained that the tourism sector is in a state of transition, in response to changes in the industry and the economic conditions in the island’s main source markets. The Minister made this pronouncement as he addressed sector interests at the Commissioning Ceremony for the new Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) sponsored Hyperbaric Chamber at the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory in St. Ann.

Minister McNeill said “we have been experiencing a transition in our industry that, coupled with the persisting global economic conditions in markets such as the US, North America and the UK, has substantially affected our industry performance.”

Dr. McNeill emphasized that “the UK has been struggling through a triple dip recession.  This has had significant negative impact on a major international travel agency brand, Thomas Cook. That company owns Sunquest, a tour operator that operates the Thomas Cook air charter service on which Jamaica has relied greatly for airlift out of Canada.” He added that “Thomas Cook’s internal problems have led to a realignment of its business, which included disbanding the airline in Canada. This, in addition to difficulties being experienced by Transat Canada, has resulted in a shortfall of over 20,000 seats to Jamaica.”

Minister McNeill outlined that there has been significant dislocation and transition on the local scene as well. He explained that “one of our local stalwart brands has been releasing its major properties, while other established brands continue to join our industry: Blue Diamond Resorts has taken over the Trelawny Beach Hotel, in which 349 rooms have been off the market that would have normally been used by Canadian visitors.” Additionally Melia Hotels has taken over the Braco Village, Karisma Resorts has taken over the Poinciana property in Negril and RIU Resorts has 250 upscale rooms under construction in Montego Bay.

The Minister was quick to note that the prospects for the sector remain bright as steps have been taken to ensure its continued development. He said “our tourism sector is still vibrant and as we go through these transitions, we expect to see strong investment commitment resulting in increased room stock, further bolstering the product.”

He explained that “having started with two flights per week, Copa Airlines will be doubling their weekly flights to Jamaica this summer, with four flights to Kingston and four to Montego Bay, as we witness the relaxation of the visa regime taking effect.” The Minister said this will provide great opportunity for Jamaica in Latin-America. The Eastern European markets are showing great potential, with Russia in particular starting to produce good numbers.” This comes on the heels of the recently announced Cabinet decision to approve the waiving of visa requirements for nationals of Russia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Ukraine in a bid to open these markets.

Minister McNeill was quick to note that “the UK market will show improvements this summer as Virgin Atlantic increases to three weekly flights into Montego Bay, up from two for last summer.”

The capacity of local health officials to treat divers with complications such as decompression illness has received a major boost with the commissioning of a new Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) sponsored Hyperbaric Chamber. The chamber, which has been installed at the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory, St. Ann, was acquired through the collaborative effort of the TEF and the University of the West Indies, UWI.

The chamber was officially commissioned on March 13, 2013 at a ceremony organized by the UWI Centre for Marine Sciences which administers the Marine Laboratory. In September 2010, the Tourism Enhancement Fund and the UWI partnered to replace the Hyperbaric Chamber at the Discovery Bay facility. TEF contributed 30% of the funds required to purchase the chamber as the latest move in its ongoing initiative to fund projects that seek to promote and maintain the continued development of the tourism sector.

Speaking at the ceremony Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, said “the Ministry is delighted to be a partner in this acquisition, through the initiative of the Tourism Enhancement Fund to provide part funding for the purchase of this essential piece of equipment.”  This was made possible through grant funding by TEF of €100,000 which was extended to the UWI Centre for Marine Sciences to facilitate the design, construction, acquisition and commissioning of a new, first-world rated hyperbaric treatment facility. 

Dr. McNeill emphasized that “the chamber is a substantial investment in our drive towards promoting dive tourism. The TEF will continue to partner in supporting programmes and projects such as this new hyperbaric facility as we look to expand our tourism product offering and diversify our markets.”

Executive Director of the TEF, Clyde Harrison said “I am particularly pleased in knowing that the TEF has been able to contribute to the installation and commissioning of this well needed hyperbaric chamber. We are confident that this new chamber will make destination Jamaica even more appealing to divers.”

In thanking the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment and the TEF for the contribution, Principal of UWI Mona, Professor Gordon Shirley outlined that “after the previous chamber fell into disrepair it became clear that it would have to be replaced speedily as persons frequently turned up with diving complications and needed treatment. Hence UWI is pleased to be associated with the acquisition of this Hyperbaric Chamber.”

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill is scheduled to participate in an important meeting in Miami with officials from Carnival Cruise Lines, as part of efforts to boost cruise shipping locally. He departs the island today, March 20, 2013.

Minister McNeill will be joined by Mr. Noel Hylton, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) and other officials from the PAJ, for the meeting which will explore plans to further develop the island’s cruise offering and efforts to further bolster the partnership with Carnival Cruise Lines.

Carnival is one of the world’s leading cruise lines and offers a wide array of quality cruises with 24 ships operating 3 to 18 day voyages to destinations including The Bahamas, Jamaica, Canada, New England, Europe, Bermuda, Mexican Riviera, as well as South America, Panama Canal, and Tahiti and Fiji Islands.

Minister McNeill returns to the island on Friday, March 22, 2013.

Kingston, Jamaica: December 10, 2012 – Mystic Mountain and Pierre Battaglia of Couples San Souci took the coveted National Champion awards for 2011 in the organization and individual categories respectively, at the recently held Tourism Service Excellence Awards Ceremony. They were selected from a group of 12 of the island’s top tourism workers and 13 leading organizations who vied for the awards for excellent service delivery under the Tourism Service Excellence Programme (TSEP) being administered by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo).

In commending the awardees and finalists during the awards ceremony at the Ritz Carlton Golf and Spa Resort in St. James, Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill said “Jamaica’s tourism successes to date are all hinged on being able to improve on service excellence. The Tourism Service Excellence Awards is a part of the government’s efforts towards achieving this greater goal.”

Apart from the National Champions, there were organizational and individual resort area champions as well. Winning for the tourism capital Montego Bay, was Laurel Scarlett-France of The Ritz Carlton; while Mr. Battaglia was the winner for Ocho Rios. Negril’s Winston Bartley of Hedonism II emerged on top, with Maudrie Swaby-Rose of Wyndham Hotel and Barrington Steer of the Jamaica Union of Traveller’s Association, JUTA tying for Kingston. Jeffrey Burke of Sandals Whitehouse won for the South Coast.

Sandals Montego Bay took the prize for the Montego Bay resort area in the organization category. Mystic Mountain won for the Ocho Rios resort area, GeeJam won for Portland, while Sandals Whitehouse won for the South Coast. From the Negril resort area Rondel Village took the top prize, with The Courtleigh Hotel winning the award for Kingston.

In addition to the main awards special recognition awards were presented to Marie Matthews, former coordinator of the Tourism Service Excellence Programme, who has helped to guide the development of the Tourism Service Excellence Awards; and to 84-year-old Robert Stone of Sandals Montego Bay for some 50 years of unbroken service to the tourism industry.

Guest Speaker, US Ambassador to Jamaica, Her Excellency Pamela Bridgewater, lauded Jamaica’s art, cuisine and natural beauty, which she said all contribute to making an excellent tourism product. She said “I think the returning visitors find service excellence and that makes for a repeat visitor, as it is this attribute that makes the product outstanding.”

In congratulating the winners and finalists, Chairman of TPDCo, Maxine Henry-Wilson, said “the awards truly represent the best of our people within the industry who interact with our visitors and who create moments of truth in which visitor expectations are surpassed.”

Kingston, Jamaica: November 28, 2012 – With a commitment of $30 million in funding, the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) continues to demonstrate its conviction that Montego Bay has enormous untapped potential. The city has many undeveloped resources and the funds will be used to underwrite an initiative to   showcase Jamaica’s history, culture and architectural heritage to further enhance Montego Bay’s tourism product. The intervention could breathe new life into downtown Montego Bay and redound to the benefit of all stakeholders including craft vendors, artisans, taxi operators and restaurants that have been clamouring for a greater share of the tourism pie.

TEF is placing these resources behind a major project to revitalise the city centre, Sam Sharpe Square and the Montego Bay Civic Centre.

The TEF, an agency of the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, functions under the Tourism Enhancement Fund Act which commits the agency to: (a) implement projects and programmes which impact on the growth and development of the tourism sector; (b) encourage better management of environmental resources in Jamaica; (c) enhance the overall tourist experience in Jamaica and (d) provide for the sustainable development of the tourism sector.

Given its remit and against the background of growing consumer interest in cultural tourism, the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill and TEF Chairman, Senator Noel Sloley, embarked on a quiet campaign to bring to Montego Bay a major cultural attraction, which would serve to broaden the overall scope of the city’s tourism product.

The first step involves maximizing the potential of the historic Montego Bay Civic Centre, which is situated in the heart of the city. The plan is to transform the Centre into an interactive multi-dimensional museum and cultural centre with related amenities to create the ambiance expected of a market leading attraction. Features will include; upgraded and modern fencing, parking, state of the art lighting, safety and security arrangements, research and learning facilities and experiences for teachers and students, comfortable seating, interactive audio visuals, modern exhibition cases, periodic art shows, dining facilities, an open courtyard for meeting and greeting, monuments of Sam Sharpe and those hung in relation to the 1831 Christmas Rebellion as well as other features catering to the needs of Jamaicans and visitors alike.

The Montego Bay Civic Centre has had a colourful and storied history; construction of the original building was completed in 1810 and became the civic, commercial and political centre of St. James. Razed in 1968 by a series of four mysterious fires, the facility was rebuilt under the San José Accord at a cost of $155 million; construction was completed in December 2000. Today, the Civic Centre, sited on the remains of the old court house and Albert George Market, is in dire need of perimeter fencing.

Throughout the years, the Civic Centre and its courtyard has been plagued by a multiplicity of problems including leaky roofing, public urination, illegal vending and vandalism chiefly in the courtyard which includes what was supposed to be a speakers corner abutting the site of an obelisk listing the names of those hung by agents of the British government in the aftermath of the Christmas riots of December 1831.

Formerly, the original building housed vestry offices, the St. James Parish Council and regular court sessions such as a debtors' court at which slaves were sold to pay the debts of their masters. In 1832, it was in that court house that the trial of Sam Sharpe and the hundreds of slaves, who were accused in the 1831 slave rebellion, was conducted. Sam Sharpe and the slaves who were found guilty were hung in the Square; formerly known as Charles Square; and in the adjoining Albert George Market. Six years later, from the balcony of that storied building overlooking what is now Sam Sharpe Square, the Proclamation of Emancipation Act was read on August 1, 1838.

Over time, tourism stakeholders in Montego Bay have hoped to find a way to exploit this rich cultural history. In that respect, the slated TEF funding will facilitate the transformation of the Civic Centre into a ‘National Museum West’, restructuring the operations, marketing and policy oversight of the facilities. The new entity will be under the leadership of an Arts Commission, a Curator and a Centre Manager. The St. James Parish Council, Institute of Jamaica and the Member of Parliament are all participating and have voiced their support for this superb initiative.

Kingston, Jamaica: December 17, 2012 – The drive to see Port Antonio reassert its status as a major resort town has received a boost with the recent presentation of more than $4 million by Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill.

The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), an agency of the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment provided a cheque of $4.4 million, which the minister handed to His Worship, the Mayor of Portland, Councillor Benny White, and one valued at $231,000, which was presented to President of the Rio Grande raft captains, Leroy Miller during a brief ceremony at the Craft Village. In so doing, he was making good on a promise made to assist in the renovation of key tourism facilities when he had toured the town on October 31 of this year, a few days following the passage of Hurricane Sandy over the island.

On presenting the funds the minister acknowledged to the group that Portland is where tourism began in Jamaica. He pointed out that some things in Portland such as rafting were iconic, and needed to be preserved. “Portland is the home of rafting, it is unique to Jamaica, so we must ensure that the standard of what we have here is maintained at a certain level,” he said.

In October, he had highlighted the attention to be given to both the Craft Village and Neville Antonio Park which are to be renovated. The Craft Village is intended to be functional by this Christmas through remedial work to clear and secure the grounds.  Plans for the medium to long term include the building of a sea wall along with major sewage work at the facility. The Neville Antonio Park is to undergo general restoration work. This includes refurbishing the amphitheatre, restrooms, and fencing, as well as landscaping and the erection of a stage.

Accompanying the Minister through the town were State Minister for Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Damion Crawford, members of the Resort Board, representatives of TEF, the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), other Ministry and government officials, and representatives of community groups. Apart from the Craft Village, other sites viewed were Trident Hotel and Castle, Blue Lagoon, and Gee Jam.

The renovation project in Port Antonio is to be undertaken by TPDCo.