Kingston, Jamaica: June 12, 2014 - Plans are afoot to force overseas producers to clearly identify imported products as government moves to safeguard indigenous Jamaican craft.

Delivering his Sectoral Presentation in the Parliament on Tuesday, June 10, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Damion Crawford said, “As soon as we achieve a critical mass of craft producers and artisans we intend to move for the introduction of a law that forces imported craft to conspicuously bear the country of origin.”

The State Minister said the craft industry and the tourism sector were inextricably linked and “craft holds the potential to generate significant earnings for Jamaica.”

In recognition of the potential of this sector the Ministry has developed a Concept Paper for a National Craft Policy, which has been approved by Cabinet.

The policy is currently being developed and will be implemented by a Craft Council, which according to Mr. Crawford, will facilitate inclusion, and enable craft practitioners to have a say in the management of the industry.

The Craft Council will include elected representatives from local craft practitioners as well as other stakeholder groups and will be mandated to ensure the competitive viability of the craft sector. A chairman is to be selected soon to steer the Council, which will ultimately transition into the Craft Authority.

As part of the overall strategy to lift the standard, brand products and boost sales, the Ministry has promoted the creation of an “Authentic Jamaican” brand of craft that will only be sold in craft markets.

Minister Crawford said efforts are being made to get artisans on board to hasten the day when Jamaica’s craft markets and gift shops are no longer dominated by imported craft items.

Kingston, Jamaica: August 4, 2014 – State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Damion Crawford, has been invited to deliver the keynote address at the Jamaican Canadian Association’s (JCA) 52^nd Anniversary Gala in Toronto, Canada, on Saturday, August 9.   He will depart the island on Friday, August 8, 2014.

The gala will commemorate Jamaica’s 52nd year of independence and the JCA’s
52^nd anniversary of serving various communities including persons of Jamaican and Caribbean nationalities. It is being held under the distinguished patronage of Jamaica’s High Commissioner to Canada, Her Excellency Mrs. Sheila Sealy Monteith.

The JCA is a non-profit charitable organization that celebrates the cultural heritage of Jamaica in all its forms and seeks to improve life for Caribbean people of all nationalities, people of African descent and all persons who subscribe to their core values and goals.  

State Minister Crawford will return to the island on Sunday, August 10, 2014.

KINGSTON, Jamaica: August 28, 2014: Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill has expressed deep regret at news of the passing of his colleague, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Hon. Roger Clarke.

In extending sincere condolences to Mr. Clarke’s family, colleagues and friends, Minister McNeill, described the late Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries as “a giant of a man with a giant personality.” Minister McNeill added that “he was blessed with a unique sense of humour and was always able to lighten even the saddest of moments.”

Minister McNeill outlined that “Roger was my colleague Member of Parliament (MP) in Westmoreland along with the Hon. Luther Buchanan, and over the years we worked assiduously together in developing the parish and improving the welfare of the people.”

Minister McNeill described Mr. Clarke as an excellent Minister of Agriculture who was quite suited for the role, seeing he was one of Jamaica’s largest farmers.  “In recent years we had been working hand in hand to strengthen the linkages between tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, entertainment and other key sectors through the Tourism Linkages Hub, which is housed in my ministry,” he expressed.

Minister McNeill also emphasized that Minister Clarke has made a significant contribution to the development of Jamaica, both at the local level in Westmoreland as MP and at the national level, as a Cabinet Minister and one of Jamaica’s longest serving parliamentarians.

“He was a friend and a colleague who will be missed immensely. On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, I wish to express my profound sadness at the passing of this outstanding public servant,” said Minister McNeill.

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - August 27, 2014 - Jamaica’s Gabrielle Pratt of St. Andrew Preparatory School has topped the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Foundation Children’s Essay Contest. She emerged the winner among contestants from nineteen participating nations, effectively elaborating on the competition’s topic: ‘Why is it important that the cruise ships come to my destination.’

Entering in the junior division of the competition, Gabrielle posited solid arguments in support of the importance of cruise ships to destination Jamaica. Among the key points, she argued that cruise ships, also called floating cities, are a significant source of foreign exchange from passenger spending. She also elaborated that the ships are a source of employment, hiring many of her countrymen in various capacities such as engineers, captains and chefs. The development of resort towns as in the case of Falmouth in Trelawny, as well as the cultural exchanges between the visitors and Jamaicans that the ships facilitate, were equally important areas of discussion that she highlighted in her essay.

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, said, “I am very pleased that Garbrielle has emerged the winner of this very important essay competition. She has truly done Jamaica proud and has built on the successes of the many Jamaican students who have excelled in this competition in the past.” He added that, “Her success is proof that she is an outstanding scholar who is poised for great things in the years to come. I congratulate her on this victory and wish her continued success in the future.”

“Heartiest congratulations on a job well done, Gabrielle. We knew that your essay was an excellent piece of work, and your triumph over your peers in the region confirms our conviction,” said Paul Pennicook, Director of Tourism.  “You masterfully illustrated the critical role that the cruise shipping industry plays in Jamaica’s tourist industry. We are extremely proud of you. You are definitely one for the future,” he added.

As the champion in her division, Gabrielle will be awarded a scholarship, and her alma mater, St Andrew Preparatory School will also receive a monetary prize.  She along with a chaperone will travel to St Maarten to receive the award during the FCCA Caribbean Cruise Conference in October later this year.

Each year the Jamaica Tourist Board organizes the national leg of the FCCA Foundation Children’s Essay Contest and students are selected from the junior and senior divisions to represent the island. The competition aims to encourage children’s creative expression on the importance of cruise tourism, thereby generating awareness of the vital role that cruise shipping plays in the Caribbean.

Kingston, Jamaica: September 15, 2014 - Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, is set to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands to attend the Meeting of the Council of Tourism Ministers and Commissioners of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), which will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2014. The Minister departs the island tomorrow, September 16.

This is one of a series of business meetings that will precede the CTO’s annual State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC), which is being held in collaboration with the government of the US Virgin Islands from 17 – 19 September 2014.

The SOTIC is the Caribbean’s leading tourism conference which brings together Caribbean tourism practitioners, policy makers, strategic partners from the public and private sectors, academics and travel professionals, at the highest levels, to discuss issues, identify solutions and generally develop courses of action that will benefit the Caribbean’s tourism industry.

Minister McNeill returns to the island on Thursday, September 18, 2014.

The National Library of Jamaica (NLJ) will present another in its Distinguished Lecture series on Sunday, September 21 with renowned Jamaican author, Olive Senior.  The lecture will take place at the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) Lecture Hall at 10-16 East Street at 2:00 p.m.; and is being hosted in association with the IOJ and the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona, Western Jamaica Campus.

The lecture, titled Colón Man and the Panama Experience, is expected to be well supported as it focuses on the experience of Jamaicans and other West Indians who worked on the construction of the Panama Canal.  Ms Senior’s lecture coincides with the centenary of the opening of the Panama Canal. 

Ms. Senior’s research on the subject led her to write her newest book titled, “Dying to Better Themselves: West Indians and the building of the Panama Canal.” Ms Senior will be available to autograph the book, which will be available for sale at the event.

National Librarian/ Chief Executive Officer, NLJ, Winsome Hudson emphasised that the distinguished lecture series is in keeping with the mission of the National Library of Jamaica to facilitate access to Jamaica’s history and heritage.  “With this lecture, the NLJ hopes to bridge the information gap about the historical interactions of Jamaica and Panama and highlight the ties that now bind these two countries,” Mrs. Hudson explained.

She expressed the hope that more Jamaicans will come to discover the contents of the resources at the NLJ, and with that, connect with their own culture and history; some of which was ferried back to Jamaica by our forefathers from Colón.

The Executive Director of the IOJ, Anne Marie Bonner said that the Institute is pleased to be associated with this lecture and launch of Ms Senior’s book on the Panama Canal.  According to Ms Bonner, “like many Jamaicans, I have relatives who have made Panama their home and I’m proud of the contribution they have made to the development of Panama and its culture.”

“The UWI, Mona Western Jamaica Campus is honoured to collaborate with the National Library of Jamaica and the Institute of Jamaica in bringing Olive Senior’s distinguished lecture on the Panama Experience to the people of Jamaica in the East and in the West.,”  Director of UWI Mona, Western Jamaica Campus, Dr. Luz Longsworth stated.

UWI, Mona Western Jamaica Campus will host the Western leg of the lecture on Wednesday October 1, at 5:30 p.m.

Kingston, Jamaica: September 11, 2014 –   Over eighty local suppliers of goods and services, including manufacturers, will participate in the upcoming Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) 2014 trade show, through the coordinated efforts of the Tourism Linkages Hub and other partner entities. The initiative is in keeping with ongoing efforts to improve the linkages between tourism, manufacturing, agriculture and other sectors of the economy. 

The Linkages Hub has partnered with the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA), Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), to facilitate the participation of the suppliers.

JAPEX the single most important travel trade show for Jamaica's tourism sector and brings together hundreds of travel agents, wholesalers and tour operators from Europe and the Americas as well as leading suppliers in the island’s tourism sector for important business negotiations. The annual event is staged by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) in association with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). The three-day trade show will be held from September 21 – 23, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St. James. 

Speaking recently at the JAPEX 2014 press conference, Chairman of the Tourism Linkages Council, Mr. Donovan Perkins, said the primary focus of the linkages initiative at the event will be on the procurement needs of hotels, restaurants, attractions, gift shops and spa facilities. “In preparation for this, over the months since its inception, our linkages hub has been meeting directly with procurement officers in the market and encouraging their support for local sectors,” said Mr. Perkins.

Through the efforts of the Tourism Linkages Hub some 33 manufacturing companies will showcase a variety of products, including furniture and bedding, food and beverages, textile and sewn products, chemicals, industrial supplies, cosmetics, printing and packaging, windows and doors. It was also noted that 50 suppliers of art, gift, craft and aromatherapy products will also participate in the event; while RADA will feature suppliers of agricultural produce and other value-added products.

Similarly, the linkages hub is working with the Entertainment Division of the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment to incorporate the entertainment sector in the event, which will entail a showcase of high quality Jamaican entertainment during the event’s opening ceremony.

Underscoring the significance of the Tourism Linkages Hub, the Chairman said, “in today’s economic environment, it is clear that for countries to thrive, they need to have coordinated activities that result in greater co-operation between established economic segments, as well as emerging ones.”

Mr. Perkins pointed out that central banks in significant economic zones have been pumping trillions of dollars into their economies, all in an effort to create jobs, revive growth and instill market confidence in the future. “Unfortunately, Jamaica does not have this option in its arsenal to encourage growth. However, I think many will agree that business opportunities can develop and become sustainable, if good working relationships can be established and encouraged between key interest groups,” he said.

Mr. Perkins added that “good business is based on strong relationships and JAPEX provides the opportunity to build, strengthen and sustain local relationships. JAPEX is effectively our first linkages tool, created years ago and its success is now well recognized.”

“Our objective is to become as effective and as successful as JAPEX.  In doing so, Jamaica’s future will be brighter,” said the linkages council chairman.

The Tourism Linkages Hub is an arm of the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment.  Now in its second year, its primary goal is to ensure that Jamaica’s tourism sector becomes better integrated with and creates local opportunities for other sectors such as entertainment, agriculture and manufacturing.

Kingston, Jamaica: September 10, 2014 – As the tourism sector continues to experience steady growth the Ministry of Tourism & Entertainment and its agencies will seek to raise awareness of the vital contribution that the sector makes to Jamaica’s social and economic development during Tourism Awareness Week (TAW) 2014. The extended week, which promises a full roster of activities, will be observed from September 21 to October 1.

The week will incorporate World Tourism Day which will be recognized on September 27. TAW 2014 is being held under the theme: “Tourism and Community Development”, which is consistent with the theme selected by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for World Tourism Day globally.

The theme underscores the potential of tourism to empower people and provide them with the skills and opportunities to achieve change in their communities. In addition, it promotes the role that community engagement has in advancing sustainable tourism development.

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, said, “Community based tourism holds tremendous potential as a means of reducing poverty and expanding employment creation. This is why we are moving as a Ministry to introduce a Community Based Tourism Policy.” He added that “I am therefore very pleased that this year’s Tourism Awareness Week theme provides the opportunity to highlight the tremendous value that tourism adds to the achievement of economic, social and environmental well-being at both the national and the community levels.”

Tourism Awareness Week kicks off with Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX 2014), which will be held from September 21 – 23, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.  The three-day trade show is the single most important business generator for the island's tourism product, and brings together travel wholesalers and tour operators from Europe and the Americas with Jamaica's leading tourism suppliers to conduct business negotiations.

Following close on the heels of JAPEX will be the launch of the Clive Taffe Retrospective Tourism Exhibition, which begin its island tour at the Tom Redcam Library in Kingston on September 25.  Mr. Taffe, who passed away earlier this year, worked with the Jamaica Tourist Board for over 50 years.  The exhibition will honour  Taffe’s memory and his many years of dedicated service to the tourism industry.

Additionally, as Director of Tourism, Mr. Paul Pennicook, explained “we are partnering with the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and the Social Development Commission (SDC) on this important initiative. The various chapters of the JHTA will be hosting activities in observance of the week. For instance children and teachers will be taken on visits to hotels, villas, and attractions while JHTA members will visit schools to make special presentations on the theme.”

He said that “an essay competition is also being organized for primary and high school students, on aspects of the theme for the week. A seminar is also being planned for representatives from community groups that are involved in community tourism projects as well as a visit to an infirmary.” 

On World Tourism Day the ministry and its agencies will host a Community Tourism Fun Day, which will be held at the Milk River Hotel and Spa in Clarendon.  A Tourism Awareness Week Church Service will be held at the Ocho Rios Baptist Church on September 28, and TAW 2014 will culminate on October 1 with a Community Tourism Familiarization Tour in the Cockpit Country.

KINGSTON, Jamaica: September 9, 2014: Efforts to establish a central body to coordinate the development of the craft sector took a major leap today as the newly appointed Craft Council of Jamaica had its inaugural meeting, signalling the commencement of a strategic process to totally streamline the craft sector.

In underscoring the importance of the new body Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, said “though craft cuts across a number of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, up to this point there was no central body to coordinate the push to oversee the development of the craft sector in its entirety and monitor the quality of the items produced and sold as authentic Jamaican craft. So this Council will be that body.”

Minister McNeill outlined that “there are many long-standing issues which we must resolve in order to effectively develop the sector and harness its potential. Prime among them is the need to implement a proper governance structure and regulatory framework. He added that “this new Craft Council will serve as an integral mechanism to facilitate these changes and foster the sustainable development of the sector.”

The Council will serve as an interim body and includes representatives of local craft traders and producers as well as other stakeholder groups.  These include, the Port Authority of Jamaica, the Ministry of Industry Investment and Commerce, through the Jamaica Business Development Corporation, the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and the Ministry of Youth & Culture.

It was emphasized that in recognizing the need to more strategically streamline the industry and increase its contribution to the local economy, Cabinet has endorsed the development of a policy for craft.

The Craft Policy is intended to modernize the sector and has several objectives. Among them is to streamline the sector by facilitating incremental improvements in areas such as quality, variety, customer satisfaction and profits to the entire industry. It also seeks to facilitate the sustainable growth of the craft industry and will also promote greater local identity of finished craft and souvenirs. It will foster innovation, greater regulation, as well as better production and distribution.

Minister McNeill stressed that “the Council will play a pivotal role in overseeing the development of the policy. A crucial step in implementing the craft policy will be the establishment of a central legally constituted Craft Authority which will administer this process.”

State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Damion Crawford expressed that “craft is a very important industry and once we organize it sufficiently and market it effectively then there is no reason why it can’t be a very profitable sector. This Craft Council will help to drive this process and ensure that the various players in the sector have a say in the development of craft overall.”

Chairman of the new Craft Council, Mary Helen Reece said “I feel honoured to be asked to Chair this important body and I look forward to working with the various stakeholders in the industry to implement the governance structures and regulations needed to transform the craft industry.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica: September 3, 2014: Over forty representatives from regional organizations including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) are currently in Kingston to attend a three-day Regional Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) Workshop to continue the work of advancing the use of TSA systems and improving the quality of tourism statistics in the region.

The TSA workshop got underway today (September 3) at the Courtleigh Hotel, New Kingston, under the theme: “Establishing a Sustainable Synergy Between Technological Best Practices and Tourism Satellite Accounts”.  It is being coordinated by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) with the assistance of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), and funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The TSA is a standard framework for organizing statistical data on tourism, and assessing its impact and relationship with other sectors and on a nation’s balance of payments.

In her welcome address, Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, Mrs. Jennifer Griffith, noted that Jamaica has been very supportive and actively involved in the CTO’s Tourism Satellite Accounting projects, including the European Union funded ‘Caribbean Regional Sustainable Tourism Development Programme’ (2003 and 2008), as well as the current IDB funded ‘Regional Tourism Satellite Account Implementation Initiative’. “We therefore welcome this meeting at this particular juncture and the broader initiative to better quantify the contribution of tourism to the wider economy,” said Mrs. Griffith.

“We in the Caribbean, have mostly tourism dependent economies, therefore we share an interest in, and stand to benefit from, any initiative that seeks to strengthen institutional capacity for better assessments of the economic impact of tourism,” said the permanent secretary.She added that, “in this regard, continued efforts aimed at the harmonization and standardization of statistical approaches and methodologies as well as the adoption of electronic tools to enhance the TSA development process represent important strides in the right direction.”

Stressing that a Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment commissioned Tourism Economic Impact Study estimated tourism’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at 7%, Ms Griffith said that Jamaica has benefitted from TSAs and has relied on them in a number of major planning exercises for the tourism industry. 

However, while recognizing the value of TSAs in strategic and policy planning, and their ability to contribute to national and regional destination competitiveness, she noted that there are still unresolved challenges that limit their full potential.  For example, the TSA can only provide the direct contributions of tourism to GDP and does not address the indirect and induced impacts.

“Collectively we must find a way to tackle these issues. I take the opportunity to encourage you to seek appropriate strategies to address them. Frank discussion on the challenges faced will enable all the governments in our region to more accurately measure the contribution of tourism to our economies,” Ms. Griffith concluded.

In her remarks to workshop participants, Director General of STATIN, Ms. Carol Coy, said Jamaica like a number of other Caribbean countries relies heavily on the tourism industry as a major earner of foreign exchange as well as employment creation. “Statistics on tourism are therefore necessary to assess the industry’s full impact throughout the economy as this will allow for evidenced based policy and decision making,” she said.

The STATIN Director General noted that in the Caribbean most tourism indicators have traditionally been non-monetary; for example, visitor arrivals, bed nights, number of rooms, and occupancy rates.  She said, however, that this type of information is not sufficient to develop sound economic analysis of the industry, adding that “reliable tourism statistics and analysis of its economic contribution are therefore critical elements for planning and analysis, and for stakeholders to effectively advocate for the industry given the scarce resources facing our governments.”