Kingston Jamaica: September 2, 2014 - The first batch of police officers to be trained as team trainers in The Tourism Product Development Company Ltd.’s (TPDCo.) flagship “Team Jamaica” programme completed this rigorous exercise in Kingston recently.  Over six days, the group  of eighteen were taken, through an intensive training programme, which included sessions on tourism, including tourism awareness, trends in tourism, impact of tourism, marketing of Jamaica and the Tourist Board Act.  The officers were exposed to topics on coaching, leadership and motivation; professionalism; adult learning methodology; technology in training and other aspects of Jamaica’s culture, history and the environment. 

These officers will now coordinate and train groups of rank and file members of the JCF in tourism matters towards certification in the “Team Jamaica” programme, which is recommended for all tourism industry personnel.

According to TPDCo’s Executive Director, Mr. Dennis Hickey “the objective of the exercise is to expose the men and women of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to the business of tourism, while strengthening the human resources in the tourism industry in general.  I expect that the participants will be enthusiastic to impart the material they have assimilated over the period to the rank and file members, especially those who will be serving as tourism liaison officers”. 

Sergeant Julio Francis of the Port Antonio Tourism Liaison Office was awarded “Best Team Player” while Corporal Winston Harris of the Community Safety & Security Branch Headquarters, Kingston was recognized as the “Best Presenter” of the group.  In response to the training Corporal Harris said “it was an excellent eye opener for me.  I learned the difference between giving information and facilitating learning.  I had my dreams realized, enjoyed every second of it and the quality of my presentations will make a dramatic improvement.”

The training was made possible through sponsorship support from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) to the tune of one point four million dollars ($1,400,000.00).

A second batch of fifteen (15) officers will be trained as Team Trainers in September, 2014 as the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment continues its efforts to sensitize police personnel to the peculiarities of the tourism industry.

About TPDCo

The Tourism Product Development Company Ltd is an agency of the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment whose mission is to facilitate the diversification, development and improvement of the tourism product, utilizing an experienced and qualified staff to enhance visitor experience by building consensus and strategic alliances with industry stakeholders in order to engender socio economic growth. Its Training Department offers courses in Tour Guiding, Protocol and Professional Etiquette several other hospitality skills areas and its leading training programme, “Team Jamaica.”

NEGRIL, Westmoreland: August 31, 2014: As part of an ongoing effort to further enhance safety and security in resort areas island-wide, the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, through the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), has been pumping millions of dollars into boosting the crime fighting efforts of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

The latest move in this initiative was the donation of three Yamaha motorcycles to the Negril police on Friday, August 29, 2014.

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, formally handed over the motorcycles by presenting the keys to Acting Assistant Commissioner for Area One, Gary Griffiths, at the Negril Police Station in Westmoreland.

Minister McNeill stressed that, “for the development of our economy as Jamaicans, we have to ensure that we can boost safety and security in our country.” He pointed out that an important part of crime fighting was the mobility of lawmen as “you can’t simply chase criminals on foot; you have to be mobile and it’s a problem that has to be resolved.”

For its part, over the past few years the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment has been collaborating with the Ministry of National Security to enhance crime fighting efforts.

In December 2013, 15 vehicles were donated to the security forces at a cost of over $45 million, matching a similar gesture the year before. Minister McNeill said, “in discussions with Minister Peter Bunting we again intend to look at the issue of motor vehicles for the police force this year because we recognize how important it is to have enhanced mobility.”

The decision to donate the Yamaha motorcycles arose out of a community meeting attended by Ministers Bunting and McNeill about three months ago when the issue of the mobility of the police to effectively patrol the Negril West End and the hills surrounding the resort town was raised.

The motorcycles donated to the Negril police are three of several acquired by the TEF at a cost of $4.3 million. The others are being distributed to other resort areas.

Minister McNeill pleaded with the riders that “while you have to be aggressive in your fight against crime, I must ask you to care the motorcycles, because we need to ensure that even as we are donating them, we are building our fleet.”

Acting ACP Griffiths expressed thanks for the “generous contribution” and reinforced that the motorcycles were well needed. Chairman of the Negril Resort Board, Cliff Reynolds, also welcomed the move to help the police in their crime fighting efforts and said the motorcycles should make a significant difference.

Kingston, Jamaica: August 28, 2014 – The Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment has extended its open call for the submission of new and existing entertainment events to be added to the ‘Reggae Month| its Kingston for February’ 2015 calendar, to Wednesday, September 10, 2014.

State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Damion Crawford explained that “events eligible for submission are those that fall between February 1 and 28, 2015 and which are being held in the Kingston and St. Andrew metropolitan region. The proposed events must also be related to reggae or another musical art form typical of Jamaica.”

Reggae Month| its Kingston for February is an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment aimed at using Reggae music and the cultural significance of February to attract visitors to Kingston.

To apply for endorsement, event organizers should complete and submit two original copies of the ‘Reggae Month| its Kingston for February’ endorsement form, which can be found on the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment’s website: www.mot.gov.jm/entertainment. Applications must be typed and returned to the 1^st Floor lobby at the ministry, at 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, or by email at: entertainment@mot.gov.jm

Minister Crawford said “I would like to encourage event organizers who will be staging events which meet the standard outlined to submit their proposals for consideration as we would like wide-scale participation in this major entertainment initiative.”

Events chosen will be included in the ‘Reggae Month| its Kingston for February’ calendar for 2015, and will receive local and international promotion.

The Minister noted that completing an endorsement form is not a guarantee of funding by the ministry or its agencies.

Kingston, Jamaica: June 12, 2014: Local entertainment events are to play a pivotal role in attracting summer vacationers to the island. This as the innovative summer entertainment programme, “90 Days of Summer” announced by the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment last year, has been rebranded and will be rolled-out across the entire island.  

Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Damion Crawford says the strategically packaged local entertainment events have been rebranded as “Jamrock Summer ‘90 Days, 90 Ways’” to give it a distinctly Jamaican identity. 

Making his Sectoral Presentation in Parliament yesterday (June 10), Minister Crawford said the launch of the initiative has been set for July 16 in Montego Bay and will entail an intensive promotional programme, using a variety of media aimed at multiple markets to attract tourists to Jamaica.

The concentration weeks and the full Jamrock Summer package will be unveiled at the launch.

“Coming out of the Jamaican press launch, we will be capturing pictures and videos to create a robust electronic press kit with a sizzle reel.  It is important to note that this launch was deliberately timed to coincide with the launch of Sumfest which happens the next day, to capitalize on international press engagement,” he said.

With social media and the internet being integral to the marketing of this programme, promotions will be managed by a local company.

According to Minister Crawford, “the Jamrock Summer Committee is embarking on the largest on-the-ground promotional campaign ever executed in the history of the nation.” The promotion will target specific hotspots that have direct airlift to Jamaica or a known reggae/dancehall/ska following with easy connections to Jamaica.” 

The programme will incorporate a college tour component targeting the 14 million undergraduate population of which one million travel for Spring Break. There will also be a college marketing effort involving the heavy use of social media that will reward students for sharing with their network and a Jamaican cultural experience focused around popular music.

Kingston, Jamaica: June 11, 2014 - Cabinet has approved the establishment of a National Registry of Entertainment Practitioners and the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment is currently streamlining the processes necessary to make the system fully operational and compliant with the new Fiscal Incentives regime.

The announcement was made by State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Damion Crawford, during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Parliament, on Tuesday, June 10, 2014.

“The registration period has been opened since January of this year and will end on July 31, 2014”, Minister Crawford said. He emphasized that “registration is free, so I urge all entertainment practitioners to register and capitalize on the opportunity to access tools of trade and free movement that registration and certification as a bona fide practitioner facilitates.”

The introduction of the registry is aimed at creating an inclusive and effective information hub that facilitates the delivery and administration of the processes necessary for the development of a sustainable entertainment industry. 

When operational, the registry will among other things, provide a central portal for listing Jamaican entertainment services and companies including their key profile and contact information and legitimize the entertainment industry for greater economic benefit. It will also foster efficiency and transparency within the entertainment industry and facilitate free movement of creative skills internationally and across the region.

Minister Crawford then informed Parliament that Cabinet has also approved an Event Rating System, which is intended to be a guide for entertainment practitioners and the general public on what should be offered to the public and what people should expect from entertainment events.

“We will undertake a public education campaign shortly to speak to the use of sexual content, violence and strong language in our entertainment output,” Minister Crawford added.

The rating system is intended to provide entertainment practitioners and consumers of entertainment with guidelines as to what is expected and the types of content suitable for varying audiences.  Events will be assigned ratings to indicate the degree of caution parents and the general public should exercise, and the content sponsors should take into account in determining whether an event is suitable for their consumption or their brand association.

Statement by

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill

                                congratulating former Director General, Carrole Guntley                                            

                               on Receiving the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s                                              

Lifetime Achievement Award

June 6, 2014

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill has congratulated former Director General in the Ministry, Carrole Guntley on receiving the coveted Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ms. Guntley received the award today, June 6, 2014, during CTO’s Caribbean Week in New York activities. Minister McNeill said “I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Carrole Guntley on her latest recognition by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) with its Lifetime Achievement Award.  Her work and dedication to Jamaica’s tourism industry as well the wider Caribbean region is exemplary and makes her a most deserving candidate for this special award.

The award is testimony to her long and distinguished service in the industry, having served in the private and public sectors in a variety of capacities: Area Manager for Jamaica, St. Maarten & Western Caribbean for BWIA, European Marketing Manager for the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, Jamaica’s first female Director of Tourism and more recently Director General in the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment.

It was during her tenure in the late eighties as Jamaica’s Director of Tourism that the island achieved the landmark target of hosting one million visitors.

Over the years Ms. Guntley has demonstrated an insight which I am confident will continue to be of benefit to the region. Her accomplishments over the past few decades span not only the airline and accommodation sectors, where she has consistently demonstrated great vision and perseverance, but have been admired by the Jamaican government as well as industry colleagues.

I commend her for her hard work, high standards and true commitment to the hospitality industry and towards ensuring its sustainability. Once again, I am very pleased to extend my sincere congratulations on this prestigious and most deserving award and I wish her every success in her future endeavours.”

MONTEGO BAY, St. James, March 27, 2014: The Agro-Tourism Farmers’ Market, an effort initiated by the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment to create sustainable linkages between the tourism industry and other sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and entertainment has been eagerly welcomed by stakeholders in St. James.

Spearheaded by the ministry’s Tourism Linkages Hub, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) the event had its first staging yesterday, March 26, in the parking lot of the Catherine Hall Mini Stadium, Montego Bay. Other partners include the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) to name a few.

The St. James Agro-Tourism Farmers’, was welcomed by the community and received endorsement from the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the St. James Parish Council, the Culinary Federation, and the HEART Trust NTA.

President of the St. James Branch Societies of the Jamaica Agricultural Society and Mayor of Montego Bay, His Worship Councillor Glendon Harris, welcomed the initiative, saying it opens windows of opportunity for farmers and allows tourism industry players to see that the farmers are able to supply them with much of the produce they need to feed their guests.

Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce, Gloria Henry, who oversees the agro-industry portfolio, also expressed pleasure in having an agro-tourism farmers’ market in St. James. She sees it as “an excellent merging of the sectors,” as she underscored that the “agro-industry and tourism should be working much closer together than they do now.” Ms. Henry is confident the sectors can benefit from each other.

Hotel proprietor and restaurateur, Evelyn Dayes said, “it is a great idea” and urged more entities to  support the initiative.  

Vendors at the Agro-Tourism Farmers’ Market travelled from as far afield as St. Elizabeth with condiments, fruits, vegetables and other ground provision. There were also wellness products, floral and citrus potted plants, basketry, leather craft and works of art on sale.

The Jamaica Culinary Federation, RADA and Kenilworth HEART Academy demonstrated the use of local products in delightful Jamaican cuisine and treated patrons to tasty samples.

The Agro-Tourism Farmers’ Market initiative was started in Negril in October 2013 and will see the hosting of similar markets in Ocho Rios and other resort areas.

Kingston, Jamaica: March 26, 2014: Jamaica’s push to develop health and wellness tourism has received another major boost with the opening of the Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa in Kingston. The facility was officially opened by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller yesterday, March 25, 2014. The 18-room property boasts the first Semi-Contempo Spa in Jamaica, a fitness centre, chiropractic centre and offers Chinese acupuncture services.

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill joined Prime Minister Simpson-Miller in welcoming the investment, citing that the property will help to further boost health and wellness tourism.

Prime Minister Simpson-Miller said “we see the private sector as our partners in development. That is why we hail this $550 million dollar investment represented in Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa. And I am happy to note that employment has moved from eight staff when it opened three years ago to 95 today.”

The Prime Minister also underscored that Jamaica has the attributes to succeed in health and wellness tourism. “We have a well-developed medical infrastructure, world-renowned cadre of nurses and doctors and have demonstrated expertise in medicine. There is no reason why Jamaica cannot attract significant investments and tourist  flow in this area,” said the Prime Minister.

Minister McNeill said, “The Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa fits perfectly into the Ministry’s strategy to reposition Kingston as a vibrant metropolitan tourist city, and also, our resolve to establish a firm foothold in the health and wellness sector of the world tourism market.”

Dr. McNeill also expressed that the continued development and diversification of the tourism product remains a major priority, which is guided by the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development. It was noted that a strategy has also been conceived to position new medical facilities that would meet international accreditation and thereby compete globally to take advantage of Jamaica’s proximity to the North American market. 

The Minister outlined that “critical to this process is the development of health and wellness tourism. The opening of this facility, together with the recent press launch of the Hospiten hospital in Montego Bay and other projects which are being brought on-stream, reinforce the policy and strategy that has been drafted and further signals that we are making significant progress.”

Kingston, Jamaica: March 24, 2014 –   As part of an ongoing partnership with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) to foster better disaster risk management in the tourism sector, the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment will host the latest in a series of Tourism Emergency Management Committee (TEMC) meetings on Thursday, March 27, 2014. The meeting will be held at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston and will begin at 10:00 a.m.

Tourism based private and public sector stakeholders across the various subsectors (accommodation, attractions, craft, shopping and transportation) are set to participate in the TEMC meeting, which will focus on Jamaica’s vulnerability to earthquakes, readiness for earthquakes and requirements for executing an Earthquake Simulation. The meeting is intended to equip participants to better prepare for, mitigate, respond to and recover from such natural and man-made hazards and threats which affect the local tourism industry.

In highlighting the importance of the initiative Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill emphasized that “natural disasters can have a tremendous impact on the travel trade and tourism-dependent economies like Jamaica, not only because of their negative impact on visitor numbers but also because of the harmful effect they have on our infrastructure and nearly every sector in the country, including the entire supply chain.”

“It is therefore crucial that we have meetings like these to ensure we have systems in place to reduce the impact of disasters such as earthquakes,” he stressed.

The main goal of the TEMC is to build the tourism sector’s resilience to multiple hazards and to identify and address the areas in which the sector is vulnerable. The Ministry currently has an emergency management framework in place that is linked to the national mechanism for the management of emergencies and disasters, which is coordinated by ODPEM.

The Ministry in turn operates the Tourism Emergency Operations Centre (TEOC) to facilitate a coordinated response to disasters for the sector. One of the main roles of the TEOC is that of liaising with ODPEM and assisting in the coordination of assistance to tourism entities as well as visitors in need of special attention or emergency care. The TEOC also sends regular updates, alerts, and emergency bulletins directly to tourism stakeholders.

Kingston, Jamaica: March 20, 2014 –   Against the background of dramatic currency fluctuations in Russia, their impact on airline operations and recent political developments, Transaero Airlines has announced a suspension of service between Moscow and Montego Bay for the summer.

The airline initiated the service in the winter of 2012/13. It proved successful and enjoyed good consumer response, sufficient to enable the airline to maintain the service through the entire year. However, Transaero has indicated it is not confident in its ability to maintain the same level of service this year.

Jamaica is one of the Caribbean destinations to which service will be affected and Transaero will suspend service to Jamaica on March 28, 2014 and is expected to resume service in November, 2014.

A year ago, the Russian ruble’s rate of exchange with the US dollar was 30 to 1; today it is 50 to 1. The company has outlined that this dramatic shift in the value of the ruble has impacted the cost of operating the service. As the Russian winter comes to an end, a decline in demand for travel to warm weather destinations informed Transaero’s decision.

In light of this development, the Jamaica Tourist Board’s (JTB) Regional Director in Europe has been dispatched to Moscow to keep in touch with the market and to protect the gains we have made there.