An announcement made today by British Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, of changes to the Air Passenger Duty (APD) that will prove favourable to Jamaica and the Caribbean has been welcomed by Tourism and Entertainment Minister, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill.

The changes will come into effect in April 2015 and will see the axing of APD bands C and D for flights of more than 4,000 miles. All long-haul flights will now carry the same, lower, band B tax rate, meaning persons travelling to the Caribbean will pay the same as if they were travelling to the United States.

“This is a major victory for the Caribbean community, which has been intensely lobbying for several years against the UK’s unfair APD band system which makes it costlier to fly to the Caribbean than to rival destinations like Hawaii in the United States, giving them a competitive advantage,” said Minister McNeill. “The unrelenting efforts of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Ministers of Tourism across the region, the Caribbean Diaspora in the UK, the World Tourism Organization (WTO), the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and other tourism partners, have paid off," the Minister added.

He also joined the CTO in welcoming the acceptance of the recommendation made by the Caribbean. "We welcome the announcement and are heartened at the fact that the Caribbean's recommendation for the use of a two band system has now been accepted," the Minister expressed.

The CTO in welcoming the announcement added that “effective April 2015, the APD will be simplified into a two band system: band A for short haul flights of less than 2000 miles from London and band B for all long haul flights more than 2000 miles from London. The new band B will be charged at the planned rate in 2015-16 (£71 for reduced rate passengers and £142 for standard rate passengers).” 

Britain introduced the controversial travel tax in 1994. The APD was increased regularly, making billions in revenues for the UK government but increasing the price to travel from the UK to regions such as the Caribbean. In addition to adversely affecting tourism-dependent economies like the Caribbean, a 2012 study by the WTTC revealed that removing the APD would result in the creation of an additional 91,000 British jobs and £4.2 billion being added to that economy in 12 months.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, March 16, 2014: Jamaica’s drive to develop health tourism has taken a giant step forward with an announcement that by the second half of 2015, the Hospiten Group will have a 22-room state-of-the art general hospital in operation at Cinnamon Hill in Rose Hall, St. James.

The US$20 million investment will provide medical-hospital services for western Jamaica and the north coast, from Negril to Ocho Rios, and while targeting the tourism market, will also serve Jamaicans. The full-service facility will be equipped with an Image Diagnosis Centre, a Surgical Block, an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a Clinical Analysis Lab, and a 24 hour Emergency Room.

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill joined Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller in welcoming the Hospiten Group’s investment at a press launch at the Montego Bay Convention Centre recently.

Prime Minister Simpson-Miller sees the hospital playing a major role in fostering health tourism.

The Prime Minister said she was pleased that this facility would be the first of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean adding that, “this investment represents a tangible outcome of Jamaica’s Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development and the work of successive governments.”

 “It’s a giant step forward in terms of health tourism. We’ve had lot of discussion over the years about health tourism and there have been small incursions but here we have a US$20 million investment in health tourism which will benefit Jamaicans and visitors alike,” said Minister McNeill.

He added that while there are other facilities in the island, “this one caters directly to a certain niche market and what you will find happening is that for investors who are bringing visitors here, it gives them a sense of comfort and promotes even more investment.”

Dr. McNeill said his ministry was also promoting investment in other areas of health and wellness tourism such as retirement villages, convalescent homes and “persons who want that sort of investment are going to want to have that kind of care available for their families.” He noted therefore, that the Hospiten hospital “brings that other dimension to our tourism sector so it really is a huge leap for health tourism.”

President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, JHTA, Evelyn Smith also said the sector welcomed the hospital as a boost to health tourism. “It’s a great investment in tourism and it answers the call for a service that is so needed within the industry right now, so obviously the membership welcomes it,” she said.

During construction the project will provide 300 jobs and a similar number when in operation, according to Hospiten's Chairman, Dr. Pedro Luis Cobiella. It was noted that the Hospiten Group is an international network of private hospitals which is dedicated to providing high level healthcare services. The Chairman said the Group's maxim was to achieve excellence in the services provided, "both in medicine and in patient care, the result of which is that all our hospitals have obtained international recognition for quality and excellence in services and management".

An important part of that achievement, he noted, lies in understanding, respecting and adapting to the environment, "to the different cultures of the places we settle in". The three-storey hospital will be constructed on land that the company acquired at Red Girl in Cinnamon Hill in 2008.

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, left the island yesterday (March 3) to attend the world’s leading international travel trade show, ITB Berlin, which will be held in Berlin, Germany from Wednesday, March 5 to Sunday, March 9, 2014.

ITB Berlin, considered to be the largest tourism trade show in the world, is the leading business to business platform for tourism industry partners.  Hotel chain CEOs, hotel owners, investors, representatives of various tourist boards, tour operators, airline executives, government officials, investors  and other travel industry stakeholders will meet to network, debate, explore investment opportunities, and forecast the direction of the tourism industry.
 

At the tradeshow, leading speakers from the tourism industry and other sectors will also examine the latest trends and discuss various topics, which include: Luxury Markets - Trends and Best Practices; and Intercultural Management of Expectations for Business Travelers and Expats.
 

Minister McNeill returns to the island on Friday, March 7, 2014.

Montego Bay, Jamaica, March 1, 2014: Creative arts in the second city will get a major boost by mid-year when the Montego Bay Civic Centre is converted into a major cultural centre that will also serve as the nation's second art gallery.

Hotelier Josef Forstmayr heads the Montego Bay Arts Council which is charged with overseeing the overall development of the civic centre into the Montego Bay Cultural Centre housing a permanent art gallery under the auspices of the Institute of Jamaica and the National Heritage Trust.

The facility will also house a bistro at which only top of the line Jamaican products will be sold.

Conversion of the civic centre is proceeding apace under the supervision of Project Co-ordinator Millard Wright who informed Tourism and Entertainment Minister, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, during a tour on Thursday that it work should be completed in another two months.

The project is being funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund to the tune of $42 million.

Welcoming the development, Member of Parliament for Central St. James, Lloyd B. Smith, said “downtown Montego Bay will take on a special look when that particular project is completed and we are most grateful to the TEF.”

During a stop at the Montego Bay Crafts Village, Minister McNeill and his touring party were entertained by cultural artiste “Upside Down” who performed a variety of acts, including dancing on broken bottles and fire dancing.

Cabinet has approved the contract for $44 million upgrading of the market starting in three weeks, financed by the TEF and Minister McNeill told the craft traders that they would have to start doing things differently and more professionally. He said a new craft policy was being developed in consultation with the traders “to deal with how this industry is going to be governed” and a regulatory authority is to be put in place.

Also visited on the tour was the restoration of historical monument, The Dome, at Jackson Town which marks the site of Montego Bay’s first domestic water supply. While the $8 million is nearing completion, Minister McNeill said additional work would be done to landscape the surrounding environment.

Montego Bay, Jamaica, February 28, 2014: The Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment is pumping millions of dollars from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) into upgrading the resort towns of Montego Bay and Falmouth.

The projects are being monitored by the Montego Bay Resort Board and yesterday, Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, accompanied by State Minister for Transport and Works, the Hon.  Richard Azan, received an update on work being done and future plans at a specially convened meeting of the Resort Board at the Sunset Beach Resort and Spa.

Minister McNeill stressed that the collaboration and work being done were against the background of the reality that “to be competitive we have to be constantly upgrading that product.” He also asserted, “what makes us different is our culture and our heritage and the more we can unearth the different things we have is the more the visitor who gets a chance to go into the communities will get to see that.”

He underscored that part of the ministry’s and the TEF’s role “is to preserve this history” and that it brings ordinary Jamaicans into tourism, thereby making a huge difference.

In that regard, Minister McNeill said a programme involving members of parliament identifying a tourism project in their respective constituencies for implementation, is being extended to parish councils and non-government organizations (NGOs) in the next budget year.

 He said these were very important projects as they allow for visitors to learn about the country’s heritage as they drive round the country.

Chairman of the Montego Bay Resort Board, hotelier Evatt Bloomfield, said through consultation, the board was helping to chart the course for the wholesome development of the tourism product, and by extension, the benefits to be gleaned by the broader society.

Mr. Bloomfield outlined a list of items on the Resort Board’s agenda, many of which are in varying stages of development.  The list includes beautification of the Sangster International Airport round-about, work on the Ironshore Fire Station and lighting of the Elegant Corridor.

The Resort Board is also looking at the redevelopment and expansion of the St. Augustine Prep School in Coral Gardens; addressing the desperate need for public sanitary conveniences in downtown Montego Bay; acquiring and installing garbage receptacles in both Montego Bay and Falmouth; and constructing adequate sidewalks from the cruise ship pier at Freeport “as a matter of priority.”

Mr. Bloomfield also pointed to “the need to see to the revitalization of some critical locations, including along the Hip Strip and areas of downtown Montego Bay, both for access and activities for our visitors and what Jamaicans enjoy of Montego Bay.”

Under the linkages programme being pursued between the ministries of Tourism and Agriculture, the Resort Board is also looking into the development of farmer’s markets “to better deepen and expand the relationship and the linkages between agriculture and tourism, and in addition, the various crafts and trades that can benefit from it.”

The first of a monthly series of farmer’s markets in Montego Bay is set for late March.

 There is also the beautification and redevelopment of Falmouth as well as lighting and additional signage at the Martha Brae Bridge to mitigate accidents and the loss of lives.

Kingston, Jamaica: February 26, 2014 – Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, today (February 26) announced that Cabinet has approved the conditional waiving of visa requirements for nationals of the People’s Republic of China travelling to Jamaica for tourism purposes for periods of 30 days or less.

This continuing effort to diversify and develop new markets for the local hospitality industry will give Jamaica access to the largest spender in international tourism globally. In 2013, Forbes magazine reported China as having 72.5 million outbound trips for the first three quarters of 2013, representing a year on year increase of 18%.  China’s expenditure on travel abroad reached US$ 102 billion in 2012, a 40% jump from 2011, making it the number one tourism source market in the world in terms of spending.

Speaking at a post Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, Minister McNeill said, “For many years we have recognized China’s potential for growth as a tourism source market for Jamaica, but have also remained cognizant of the difficulties entailed in developing this important market.”

“Up to now, it has been difficult to achieve substantial growth in Chinese arrivals, as many Chinese citizens have had to travel great distances simply to obtain a visa from the Jamaican Embassy in Beijing,” the tourism minister added. The conditional waiver of visa requirements will ease these difficulties while harnessing the market potential.
 

Last year, Jamaica attracted 2,420 Chinese tourists, an increase of 15.1% over the previous year; while 2012 showed an increase of 24% over the previous year.  Minister McNeill noted that although the numbers are small the market has the potential for significant growth. 

Commenting on Jamaica’s longstanding friendship with China, the tourism minister said, “Our relationship with China has been very strong over the years and whereas we are looking at further developing and growing tourism trade with China, I believe our strong business connections will cause the strengthening of both sectors.”

The visa waiver announcement for Chinese nationals comes ahead of Minister McNeill and Director of Tourism, John Lynch, attending the Shanghai Trade Show in April to help strengthen the marketing efforts of the Jamaica Tourist Board and continue discussions on developing airlift arrangements from the region.  

The new visa regime will come into effect in a few weeks time, when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Security and its agencies, institute the preliminary processes to effect a smooth implementation. 

Previously Jamaica relaxed visa requirements for nationals of Columbia, Panama, Venezuela, Russia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland Slovakia and the Ukraine. This strategy has borne fruit and produced in many cases double-digit performances in relatively short periods of time and demand for travel that has brought new airlift from those markets.

MONTEGO BAY, St. James, March 30, 2014: Plans to place the regulation of the craft industry under one governing body have taken a significant step forward as Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, has revealed that the initiative was recently discussed by the Economic Development Council, which is chaired by the Prime Minister, paving the way for the establishment of a Craft Authority.

Minister McNeill outlined the framework for a Craft Policy, which will be administered by a legally constituted Craft Authority, to representatives of the island’s craft traders and producers at a consultation held recently at the offices of the Jamaica Tourist Board, (JTB) in Montego Bay. 

Craft vendors and producers were unanimous in their endorsement of the proposed Craft Authority and Craft Policy; which has four main objectives. These are to streamline the craft sector by facilitating incremental improvements in quality, variety, value, sales, customer satisfaction and profits; facilitate the sustainable growth of the craft industry in Jamaica to enable a successful enterprise; and promote greater local identity of finished craft and souvenirs, innovation, better packaging, regulation and production and distribution facilities.

In addition, the policy will outline strategic objectives, including the sourcing of raw materials, the packaging and branding of an ‘Authentic Jamaica’ brand, and ensuring that local craft producers and traditional artisans benefit from the marketing and commercial opportunities provided by the tourism industry.

Minister McNeill told the craft traders that while the legal aspects of establishing the Authority are being addressed, a Craft Council will be put in place in the interim to start streamlining the industry as a matter of urgency. The Council will include representatives of local craft traders and producers as well as other stakeholder groups.

He said the establishment of the Craft Authority will take governance of the craft industry out of the hand of the political directorate and place it before a board on which the traders and producers will have adequate representation. Through the Authority, he said they will help to determine what they want done and how resources earmarked for improvement of the sector will be disbursed.

Minister McNeill stressed that “it’s really going to be run like a company and you are going to have to make decisions that are for the greater good of the industry as everyone has to work together.”

The Minister said the Authority would maintain control and discipline in the craft markets and emphasised that, “the majority of people in the craft markets want a craft market that is a place where everyone can visit and enjoy themselves.”

Echoing the sentiments of members who described the introduction of the Craft Authority and Craft Council as “a very, very good idea,” President of the National Craft Traders and Producers Association, Mrs. Melody Haughton-Adams, said lack of unity was a major obstacle for the sector. However, she expressed that, “I am thankful for the Council. We and the producers’ association met and the very same thing was recommended.” She added that, “I am really delighted and can say that we are getting somewhere.”

Meanwhile, a representative of the craft producers, Secretary of the Jamaica Indigenous Artisan Co-operative Society (JAMIA), Michael Senior, said “the presentation was everything I imagined it to be and I’m happy.” He reiterated that JAMIA had been in dialogue with the traders association about forming a Council.

Collaboration between several key government agencies is helping the parish of Portland to regain pride of place as a sought-after tourist resort area.

With $48.5 million allocated by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), in keeping with a promise made in 2012 to improve tourism assets in Portland, the parish capital, Port Antonio, now has a rehabilitated park, while craft traders have a craft village by the seashore. Rafters can now embark safely and the drive into the Rio Grande Valley via Berrydale Road is much more comfortable due to improvements under the joint initiative.

Spearheaded by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), the projects were implemented through a partnership with the TEF, the Portland Parish Council and the National Works Agency, with support from the Parish Development Committee and the Portland Chamber of Commerce. All four completed projects were formally handed over to their respective agencies yesterday, April 2, 2014, by Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, with ribbon cutting ceremonies conducted during a tour.

The Berrydale Road, which bypasses the loading bay for patrons interested in rafting on the Rio Grande, has been rehabilitated at a cost of $20 million. The project involved resurfacing sections of the road from Fellowship to Berrydale, installing curb walls and the construction of drains and retaining walls.

Concurrently, loading passengers onto rafts has been made easier and safer with the installation of an embarkation platform, replacement of damaged gabion baskets, construction of concrete steps and the installation of protective boulders, at a cost of over $2.8 million.

In the heart of the town, the residents can now stage a range of outdoor community activities at the Neville Antonio Park which had been in a state of disrepair. With an expenditure of over $13 million, it now has a rehabilitated stage and amphitheater, bathrooms, gazeboes, perimeter fencing and a repaired walkway. Additionally, there was construction of a sewage system, minor landscaping and restoration of electrical lighting to the park.

At the handing over ceremony, Minister McNeill said, “we recognize that this park is a vital recreational facility for the community and a decision was taken to upgrade it.” He said this was done in the context of a determination that, “the mandate of this government is to encourage development that will improve the quality of life of the people.”

The TEF has been enabling fulfillment of this mission and Minister McNeill said, “we fully appreciate that we cannot grow the tourism industry unless the Jamaican people are feeling its impact and that is why we are committed to ensuring that when we ask the TEF to spend money on a project, the Jamaican people, and in particular the community in which a project is carried out, are primary beneficiaries.”

He was particularly pleased with the Portland Craft Village, which had languished for some ten years because it was incomplete and vendors were unhappy with its original state. The work done on it has also been welcomed by Mayor of Portland, His Worship Councillor Benny White, and President of the Portland Craft Traders Association, Joan Shaw.

Renovation of the craft village was at a cost of $12.5 million, and included; installation of partitions and doors, improved flooring, bathrooms, kitchen areas, upgrading electrical and sewage systems, construction of a bar, as well as the installation of wheel-chair access and a roof over the amphitheatre.

Minister McNeill said the projects had been undertaken, “in a concerted effort to reawaken the once vibrant township of Port Antonio and renew its place as an enchanting resort town.”

For his part, Executive Director of the TEF, Mr. Clyde Harrison, said “I am pleased that the TEF was able to assist in making good on a promise to assist in the renovation of these key tourism facilities, which will enhance the tourism product of Portland and Jamaica overall.”

Executive Director of TPDCo, Mr. Dennis Hickey underscored that “the mission of TPDCo is to enhance and diversify our tourism product and the handing over of these four projects will definitely contribute to that end.”

Kingston, Jamaica: April 4, 2014 - Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, is set to travel to Beijing, China, to attend the China Outbound Travel and Tourism Market (COTTM) event, which will be held from April 9-11, 2014.  The Minister departs the island today, April 4.

The COTTM is considered the leading platform to access the Chinese travel market and is a prime marketplace to meet Chinese trade buyers, leading outbound tour operators and travel agents.

Jamaica is moving to attract more Chinese visitors to the island and it is expected that participation in the COTTM’s seminar programmes and the event overall will assist the Ministry and its agencies in positioning Jamaica to better cater to this market. The travel and tourism exhibition is viewed as an excellent forum for conducting business and exploring opportunities that will benefit the island’s tourism sector.

In 2012, China’s expenditure on travel abroad reached US$102 billion. In 2013, the United Nations World Tourism Organization declared China the number one international tourism source market in terms of spending.  In a bid to better tap into the Chinese market, the Jamaican Government in February approved the conditional waiving of visa requirements for Chinese nationals travelling to Jamaica for tourism purposes for periods of 30 days or less in order to facilitate ease of travel between the two countries.

Minister McNeill returns to the island on Sunday, April 13, 2014.  

Kingston, Jamaica: May 30, 2014 –   Effective Monday (June 2, 2014) the operation of commercial Personal Water Crafts (PWCs) will be re-opened at the UDC beach in Ocho Rios Bay, St. Ann.
The announcement was made by Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Parliament, on Tuesday, May 27, 2014. This as he informed Parliament of his intention to table a water sports policy as a Green Paper shortly to address and provide a framework for the management of all water sports in Jamaica.  A major part of the policy concerns motorized water sports and PWCs.

An island-wide suspension of all PWC operations and a ban on the importation of PWCs into the island has been in place since February of this year. The measures were applied in the wake of three accidents involving PWCs between August 2013 and January 2014.

Minister McNeill told Parliament that the Marine Police has indicated that they are sufficiently resourced with vessels and personnel to ably enforce regulations in the bay upon resumption of commercial activities. “If the Ocho Rios Bay commercial PWC operations are successful, they will provide a template for guiding commercial operations in other resort areas,” he stated.

A Task Force, which was established to bring PWC activity under stronger management and enforcement, is now looking at the other areas of operation. The ban on importation will remain in place until further notice.

The PWC Task Force is being guided by the Maritime Authority of Jamaica and  the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), with enforcement by the Marine Police Division.

Clear rules and regulations have been established  by the Task Force for the operation of PWC’s both commercially and privately. All PWCs must have the appropriate decals affixed or be liable for seizure by the authorities.  In addition, all operators of commercial PWCs must receive training in the operation of the vessel and meet all requirements for licencing, including insurance in order to be eligible for a Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) water sports licence. PWCs should enter and leave the shore using the designated launch area at a slow speed of 3 knots; and occupants of PWCs must operate at least 200m from the shore.

Advertisements were recently placed in the media to advise all owners of PWCs (“jet skis”) who wish to be licenced to operate their PWCs commercially that they must have them registered with the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) by May 21, 2014.

Minister McNeill said “while it must be emphasised that registration does not guarantee that a licence will be granted, owners must have registered their craft by that date.”