Kingston, Jamaica, April 20, 2015: Under the new Fiscal Incentives Act, better known as the Omnibus Act, the number of tourism properties eligible for tax benefits for re-investment and refurbishing has increased from 100 to some 400 entities.

“The majority of the newly eligible properties are small and medium ones that have not been eligible for decades to benefit from tax incentives for the refurbishment and improvement of their properties,”  Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, revealed in his recent Sectoral Presentation in the House of Representatives.

Another positive development the Minister pointed out is that under the new Act other tourism sub-sectors such as transportation and attractions are now also entitled to tax relief of various kinds while under the old incentives legislation only the accommodations sub-sector benefited.

“Further, the Minister stated, “under the old regime businesses had to seek the approval of the Minister in order to receive tax benefits.  Under the new law this is no longer required. Entities need only be tax compliant, licensed by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and registered with the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment.”

Benefits under the new regime include employment tax credits lower corporate income tax, product input relief,  that is relief from customs duty for raw materials and other inputs for their operation as well as favourable capital allowances.

Kingston, Jamaica –April 16, 2015: 2014 was Jamaica’s best year ever for cruise shipping as the island welcomed 1.4 million cruise ship visitors, a 12.5 percent increase over 2013.

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, made this announcement during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in Parliament, on Tuesday, April 14, 2014.

“Already this year we are up 8.5% and again we have had increases in all three ports,” said Minister McNeill.  “This year for the first time we have a record breaking three cruise ships home porting in Montego Bay – the Louis Cristal, Thomson Dream and AIDA Bella – with all the concomitant goods and services required to tender these vessels,” the Tourism Minister added.  Next year Jamaica will welcome a fourth cruise ship to its shores for home porting.

Transformational Projects in Ocho Rios, Falmouth and Montego Bay that started last year are well underway and will provide improved services and a more attractive landscape to the thousands of visitors that pass through the island’s ports.

“In Ocho Rios, we have completed phases one and two of the J$400 million resort upgrading project.  This year we will commence phases three and four of the project, which will see the total reconstruction of the promenade as well as work on the Ocho Rios Main Street, including areas that are to be pedestrianised,” said Minister McNeill.

In Falmouth, a streetscape project is now underway and work has already started on Harbour Lane and will begin this week on Falmouth Street.

In Montego Bay, work is ongoing on the lighting of the Elegant Corridor, to be completed by May 31 of this year. 

In addition to upgrades to the Elegant Corridor, Minister McNeill also announced a new transformational project  to put the “hip” back  in the second city’s Hip Strip.  Over the last few months, the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment has held a series of consultations with stakeholders and community leaders from the public and private sectors.

“Out of these consultations, we have agreed on a comprehensive plan of action to be implemented over a period of time. It has been decided that the first step must be to address the unsightly light posts and overhead wiring along the Strip before any further work can be commenced,” said Minister McNeill.  A team is determining how this is to be addressed and this phase of the upgrade is expected to begin in this fiscal year.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica –April 2, 2015: Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, has welcomed Curio – A Collection by Hilton to the growing list of top brands that have taken a keen interest in Jamaica as the top tourist destination in the Caribbean.

Sagicor’s Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort & Spa Runaway Bay and Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa Ocho Rios have become two of the latest Curio properties – and the first in the Caribbean, to join the newest of Hilton’s world-class global brand. Signing of the agreement was announced Tuesday (March 31) at a joint press conference by Minister McNeill, Sagicor President and CEO Richard Byles and global head of Curio – A Collection by Hilton,  Dianna Vaughan, at the Montego Bay Convention Center.

The deal also received the endorsement of Senior Vice President for the Caribbean of Ambridge Hospitality, Rich Cortesse.  Ambridge is the management company for the Jewels resorts.

The Jewel brand was started by Sagicor four years ago with one property.  With subsequent acquisitions there are now four properties with a fifth under construction in Kingston’s golden triangle.

Congratulating the Sagicor team, Minister McNeill said, “Over the last four years what Sagicor has done is phenomenal. Sagicor Group has not just talked the talk, they have walked the walk; they have put their money where their mouth is; they have invested in Jamaica and in tourism.  That investment has paid off for them and they have reinvested.”

Minister McNeill added, “These are the things that are going to bring growth to the tourism sector and growth to the economy.”

Mr. Byles disclosed that since launching out with Jewel Dunn’s River four years ago, Sagicor has invested over US$140 million in three more properties, growing the brand’s room count to 1300. “Alongside that growth has come good occupancies, improving rates, and an excellent track record of customer service,” he added. 

He said the listing of Sagicor X Fund on the stock exchange a few months ago to give Jamaicans the opportunity to invest in the tourism business “has been a big success for us.”  According to Mr. Byles, "It says a lot for Jamaica and for tourism that the Hilton wants to stay in this country and indeed, wants to deepen its relationship with the country through its Curio brand. It must mean that we are doing something good with the country and with tourism in particular. We too are very bullish on Jamaica and on tourism and we will continue to invest.”

NEGRIL, Westmoreland, Jamaica, March 25, 2015: As plans for the transformation of the resort town of Negril take shape, Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, has challenged stakeholders to actively participate and support the town’s transformation.

Outlining an architectural concept of plans for the transformation at a meeting with Negril stakeholders at the Grand Lido last week, Minister McNeill listed a number of new projects for the community. These include a new 150 shop two-storey craft centre; a facility for the monthly Tourism Linkages Hub farmers’ market; and the upgrading of the Norman Manley Beach Park. A statue of National Hero, the Rt. Excellent Norman Washington Manley, is to be placed in the courtyard of the new craft centre.  Additionally, the community centre will be refurbished and will house offices for the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and the Green Island-Negril Planning Authority as well as a proper meeting room.

The town centre is also earmarked to get a facelift and, concurrently, squatters in the vicinity of the urban centre are to be relocated to a property which has been acquired adjacent to Sheffield All-Age School.

Some other projects which are already underway include the repaving of the road by Smithfield, construction of a dual cycling and walking pathway along Norman Manley Boulevard, drainage control and improvements to the Negril Police Station.

Minister McNeill fielded a range of questions on the proposed upgrading project, including timelines and costs. He advised that funding was already in place for some of the projects but there were processes, such as getting approval from the relevant government agencies, which had to be dealt with before work would start.

A technical team from the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) as well as a committee spearheaded by TPDCo will be going over the plans with representatives from the stakeholders group, with a view to incorporating various recommendations.

In addition to the UDC, the stakeholders’ meeting was attended by Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Mr. Clyde Harrison; Executive Director of TPDCo, Mr. Dennis Hickey, and Chairman of the Negril Resort Board, Mr. Cliff Reynolds.

Prior to meeting with Negril stakeholders, Minister McNeill met with Negril’s craft traders and receiving their nod of approval for the new craft facility, with recommendations for adjustments in the layout of the shops.

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Wednesday, March 18, 2015: After participating in what is viewed as an innovative business development initiative, several hoteliers and suppliers have termed the second Tourism Linkages Speed Networking Event as a major success. The session was held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel yesterday (March 17), and was a follow-up to the larger inaugural speed networking event, which was held in Montego Bay on January 21.

The latest venture saw senior hotel managers meeting with representatives from some 40 supplier companies. Businesses offering a wide range of goods and services participated in the event, including suppliers of cosmetic and spa products, furniture, bedding, craft, toiletries and guest amenities, chemicals and cleaning products, food and beverage, meat and fresh produce and uniforms.

The session entailed a series of fifteen-minute meetings between Managing Directors, General Managers and CEOs of local companies which supply products and services and owners and Managers of properties who are in a position to make purchasing decisions.

Koen Hietbrink, General Manager of the Court Yard by Marriott hotel, which is currently under construction, had high praise for the event. “I think it’s a fantastic initiative especially for us as a new company to meet suppliers and to see what they can do for us and what we can do for them, because it’s about building relationships.”

Mike Bauer, Company Director of Hotel Four Seasons said “it is well organized and it facilitates short discussions which work well for us. We have set up follow-up meetings to build relationships.”

General Manager of Melia Jamaica Braco Village, Demitris Kosvogiannis noted that “I have gathered a lot of contacts. It is a good way for tourism to affect the wider economy and not just the visitor. I would like to see more of these initiatives and I look forward to enhancing these relationships.”  

Suppliers also lauded the initiative. Chief Executive Officer of Boss Furniture, Omar Azan said “I think it is a positive for Jamaica and a positive for the tourism sector. When more farmers and manufacturers produce more for the tourism sector it creates more jobs. We currently have contracts with several hotels...to refurbish or provide new furniture. Jamaica needs this now more than ever to enable the producers to benefit from the sector.”

Managing Director of Irie Rock Yaad Spa, Racquell Brown said “the response has been excellent, we are seeing real interest in our products and we have been able to set up follow-up meetings. We have to just build on the relationships to follow through.”

In addressing participants during the opening exercise Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, and President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Nicola Madden-Greig, both underscored the importance of the programme.

The organization of the Speed Networking Event was spearheaded by the JHTA in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, the Jamaica Manufacturers' Association (JMA) and other key partners. These include the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), and the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC).  

Kingston, Jamaica: March 12, 2015 – The Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment on Tuesday (March 10) outlined proposals to redevelop Montego Bay’s popular ‘Hip Strip’ and return it to the vibrant hot spot that it was in its ‘glory days’.

The ‘Hip Strip’ is a two mile coastal route adjacent to the Sangster International Airport that encompasses Gloucester Avenue and Kent Avenue.  It has featured prominently in Montego Bay’s tourism product. 

Speaking to a group of the city’s business owners, representatives of government and partner agencies at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, the Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, said that it was time to move from “talk and policy to action”.

“We have the plans and now we have to decide on what are we going to achieve and how are we going to achieve it,” Minister McNeill said, pointing out that the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Jennifer Griffith, has been charged with the responsibility of coordinating all stakeholders that are integral to the redevelopment process.  This will include getting agreement on a plan of action, prioritizing agreed actions and determining roles and responsibilities.

“This is the second meeting in two months.At the last meeting (in February) we came to the conclusion that some issues are priority areas that need to be addressed.Investment is critical; we need to upgrade the existing product; and we need to ensure that what’s on the ground is productive,” said Minister McNeill. He singled out traffic congestion, Close Harbour Beach (Dump-up Beach), the ‘closed’ hotels, the rebuilding of groynes to prevent further beach erosion, and infrastructure improvements to Montego Freeport as areas needing special attention.

Permanent Secretary Griffith gave an overview of a number of identified projects needed to improve the overall physical appearance and create a distinctive character for the ‘Hip Strip’.  The area targeted for revitalization is the strip that extends from Dead End Beach on Kent Avenue, along Gloucester Avenue to the Pier One restaurant complex. The plan includes physical improvements; new product development; specific concepts to address safety and security, patron access and mobility; and themed entertainment and recreation.

Chairman of Montego Bay’s Wexford Court Hotel and Aquasol Beach Park, Mr. Carlisle Allan, described the meeting as a very important step in the right direction for to the development of Montego Bay’s tourism product.“It was not just talk; there were practical solutions to the problems we business owners are facing.As a stakeholder I am impressed and I commend the organizers of the meeting,” Mr. Allan said.

Integral to implementation of agreed action areas will be the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCO),  and partner agencies including the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), and the National Works Agency (NWA).   For the vision of the ‘Hip Strip’ to be realised, it is critical for the private sector stakeholders to see themselves as change agents and commit to the necessary financial investment in their properties.

Montego Bay, Jamaica: March 4, 2015: The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has thrown its full support behind the upcoming MoBay City Run, describing the charity event as an asset to the development of sports tourism and the education of young Jamaicans.

Speaking at the event’s launch yesterday at the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort, JTB Chairman, Dennis Morrison said the event fitted admirably into the growing niche market of sports tourism which can be of tremendous benefit to the country’s tourism earnings and education.

The event, now in its second year, takes place on Sunday, May 3, 2015. It encompasses both a 5k and 10k road race throughout downtown Montego Bay to raise funds for youth education in Jamaica. Chairman of MoBay City Run, Janet Silvera, said the target is $5 million. The proceeds will support students attending institutions such as the University of the West Indies and University of Technology western campuses, Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College and the Montego Bay Community College. Over 4,000 sport enthusiasts, including 20 travel agents from Canada, are expected to participate in this year’s event. 

From a tourism standpoint, Mr. Morrison said, “the news in our tourism sector is good these days as we continue to enjoy a positive image as a leading Caribbean destination and our arrival figures and occupancy rates continue to be robust and surpass last year’s.” 

However, he said The Jamaica Tourist Board along with the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment as well as the private sector are partnering to find ways to increase earnings in the sector and to capitalize on all areas that complement the JTB’s marketing efforts in order to reap maximum benefits from the industry.

Noting that the multi-billion dollar business of Sports Tourism is one such aspect, and is one of the fastest growing areas in the global travel and tourism industry, the JTB Chairman said Montego Bay should aim to have a marathon on its agenda.

He said “we see great potential for developing sports tourism as a viable niche market segment. Jamaica is able to leverage the international acclaim that our best musicians enjoy worldwide to become the Mecca of popular music. The same competitive advantage exists for us as a recognized superpower in athletics – thanks to the hard work and dedication of our talented and high achieving athletes.   This makes the development of sports tourism a viable growth segment on which to capitalize.”

Mr. Morrison stressed that as co-sponsor, “this why the JTB has allocated additional resources as well as international marketing and promotional support to the City Run as  it admirably fits  our sports tourism model. Of equal importance is the fact that by donating the proceeds to our young people it directly impacts the development of this community which after all is the primary objective of our industry.”

He noted that access to tertiary education had improved dramatically in western Jamaica with the city leaders seeing Montego Bay becoming a true University City, contributing to the development and economic growth of the area, providing jobs, raising living standards and improving the quality of life of the citizens of western Jamaica.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica: Tuesday, March 3, 2015: The business community in Montego Bay has been challenged to invest in the resort city to rescue it from decline.

Throwing out the challenge, Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, Dennis Morrison, said, “investment opportunities are staring us in the face. Let us take for instance the present condition of what was once a vibrant area of commerce, the Hip Strip; it is disheartening and disappointing to see the closed shutters on hotels and other tourism-related businesses on the Hip Strip.”

Reiterating that the investment climate was positive, he emphasized that, “there is no excuse and we should not wait for foreign investors to come in and then complain about their presence, which is what we tend to do.”

Mr. Morrison was delivering the keynote address at today’s launch of the second annual MoBay City Run, which provides financial assistance to young people to pursue tertiary education.

Pointing to the need for employment opportunities for young people who have achieved their goals of higher education, the JTB Chairman said that if they could not find what they wanted in the second city, they would be forced to seek it in the already overcrowded capital city of Kingston “or worse, to migrate.”

He underscored, however, that such opportunities would only open up further when the leaders, including members of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, invest in the continued development of the city. “So you invest in tertiary and higher education but you need to take the other step of increasing your involvement in the city in terms of economic activity and invest; expanding production in the city and creating jobs,” said Mr. Morrison. 

Reinforcing his challenge, the JTB Chairman called upon the Chamber and the private sector leaders to recognize that “much, much, more needs to be done and can be done.” He explained that the investment climate was right with the economy stabilizing and government facilitating investment through tax reform that provided encouragement “not just to the well connected (but) to people who have never had access to benefits for small hotels and attractions.” He also stated that financial institutions were lending for tourism projects, even to foreign investors, while Jamaicans were keeping their capital idle. 

He noted that a ready market existed for tourism businesses, pointing out that “for this Winter Tourist Season nearly every hotel is full and our average daily rates are high. So there’s much more we can do.”

The JTB Chairman implored the Chamber of Commerce to sensitize its members and encourage them to become more active investors. He hopes in the not too distant future to see a renewal of Montego Bay “which this world famous tourism city and its citizens deserve and can be proud of.”

In lauding the organizers of the Mobay City Run, Mr. Morrison said “the first Run last year was a great success and this year is shaping up to be even better.  Two thousand participants last year was a great start and the aim is to double that figure this year. I believe an event of this nature is very much a part of a world class destination.”

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is co-sponsoring the second staging of the Mobay City Run, which takes place on Sunday, May 3, 2015. The event seeks to raise funds for youth education in Jamaica and will provide assistance to students attending institutions such as the University of West Indies and University of Technology Western Campuses, Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College and the Montego Bay Community College. Over 4,000 sport enthusiasts are expected to participate in this year’s event. 

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; April 29, 2015: The 518-room Holiday Inn, once dubbed the largest hotel in Montego Bay, has received a major boost with a US$15 million renovation and re-branding exercise, which is now underway.

With the new look comes a name-change from Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort to Holiday Inn Resort, operating as one of over 42 hotels under this new brand within the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).

The new brand was revealed yesterday (April 28) when the hotel unveiled its updated look to a select group of invited guests and the media. Heading the list was Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill who described the development as “something for which we can be proud.”

Noting that this was the fourth rebranding of hotels in recent weeks and that all the properties involved were Jamaican-owned, Minister McNeill said, “what you have happening here is part of a larger process that’s been going on now for some years where there’s an energy and vibrancy in Jamaica and in our tourism product.”

He saw this as a good move as “we are constantly reinventing … and this is something that’s progressing and getting better.” This he added, was good as it meant the eyes of the outside world were on Jamaica.

Reiterating that tourism was on a success path, Dr. McNeill credited workers in the industry for this achievement. “The real credit for the success we’re having in tourism goes to those persons in the industry who are doing work like this – rebranding, refreshing, keeping us on the cutting edge  and secondly, probably more importantly, to the strength of our hospitable workers in the industry.”

He said every survey conducted confirmed that the strength of Brand Jamaica in tourism was attributed to the workers and “their interaction with the guests is what people remember and it makes a great difference. As Minister of Tourism, in an industry that’s performing well, I want to congratulate and thank each and every one of them for the work that they are doing.”

He also had special commendation for the owners of the hotel, the Hendrickson family and in particular Managing Director of Holiday Inn Resort, Kevin Hendrickson. In addition to this property, the Hendricksons also operate other properties including The Jamaica Pegasus and Courtleigh in Kingston and Sunset Beach Resort in Montego Bay.

Mr. Hendrickson said the rebranding initiative marked a new chapter for the hotel and that the partnership with IHG since acquiring the property in 2008 has been rewarding. “Through their various programmes and services, we’ve taken the property to record revenues and profits” and with the rebranding “we are confident that the upward trajectory will continue.”

Director of Brand Experience for Holiday Inn Americas, Justin Alexander who recalled having been taken to the Montego Bay property as a child, praised staff for maintaining the hotel in good shape over the last 45 years and giving guests the warm service that makes them want to return.

Some new features have been added to the all-inclusive Holiday Inn Resort, such as the conversion of one of the several buildings into a 52-room adult only section called Rose Hall Club and offering a range of select services to club guests.

An island for sunbathers has also been created, in addition to a miniature golf course, a swim-up bar, a variety of specialty restaurants and facilities for children.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica: May 7, 2015: Western Jamaica has been given the opportunity to be better informed about the history and nature of the Rastafari movement through a historical exhibition mounted at National Museum West, located in the Montego Bay Cultural Centre.

In keeping with its efforts to foster the development of various aspects of the country’s tourism product, the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) played a pivotal role in enabling the Rastafari exhibition to be mounted at the Cultural Centre, where it will be displayed for a year.

Speaking at the opening of the exhibition recently, Executive Director of the TEF, Clyde Harrison described the mounting of the exhibition and the presence of members of the Rastafari community as “a journey with some distance still left to go”, but which stood out as a testament to the spirit of the Jamaican people.

From the viewpoint of Rastafari, Mr. Harrison commended “the strength of their culture, their insistence on being themselves and being accepted for who they are and what they are about.” For other Jamaican people “for the police, the government to accept them also, it’s the spirit of the Jamaican people in its full glory; the Rastafari and everybody else coming together to say welcome Rasta,” he added.

Speaking to TEF’s involvement in the exhibition, Mr. Harrison said while the Fund promoted tourism extensively, the fact was that “we promote what is good for Jamaicans and for the tourist to enjoy.” As examples he pointed to several TEF projects including the development of the Montego Bay Cultural Centre, restoration of The Dome in Montego Bay and the current installation of LED lights on the Elegant Corridor from Sangster International Airport to Lilliput, St. James.

He said, “we are funding the museum and we will continue to do so; we will not ignore the culture of the people nor what is important to us and when we do this it speaks to our spirit so we are very proud to be associated with this endeavour and all the others that we have put forward for the people of Jamaica and the tourists to enjoy.”

Member of Parliament for Central St. James, Lloyd B. Smith welcomed the exhibition as a special undertaking to pay tribute to Rastafari. “This exhibition, I am sure, will help to enlighten the general populace about the fact that Rastafari is a bona fide, genuine part of the Jamaican culture and history. It is indeed a very integral part of our national psyche and this has been embodied in the fact that wherever you go in the world Rastafari can be seen in one form or the other.”

Director of the National Museum Jamaica, Dr. Johnathan Greenland noted that it was the first major exhibition for Museum West. He disclosed that the exhibition ran at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. in the USA for many years before the Rastafari Community negotiated for it to be brought to Jamaica. Its first stop was in Kingston where it was expanded extensively.

Through artefacts, images, videos and text this exhibition seeks to explore the history and nature of Rastafari, including: the Revelation of Rastafari, the philosophy and evolution of the Rastafari movement, the visit of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie to Jamaica and the impact of Rastafari on music. It also provides a historical review of the tribulations experienced by members, in particular the events surrounding Coral Gardens in April, 1963.

Following a yearlong run in Montego Bay, it will be turned over to the Rastafari Community for it to be housed at a permanent learning centre to be established by the ethnic group.

First Man at the Rastafari Indigenous Village in St. James also applauded the collaboration of the Government of Jamaica and the Rastafari Millennium Council in bringing about the exhibition. “Especially here in Montego Bay the Rastafari Community faced one of our worst challenges; this is where the Coral Gardens incident took place, (and) right here in the centre of the city is where Sam Sharpe and all of our African people were down pressed and for us to be here eternally burning Babylon and then find that the same system now can speak of who Rastafari is and what Rastafari represents over that period of time, that is a great achievement,” he proclaimed.