Kingston, Jamaica: December 23, 2015 – Eight days into the start of the 2015/16 Winter Tourist Season, the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay was buzzing with activity as it marked another major milestone, having the largest number of airline passengers passing through it in any single day.

This as airport officials and other stakeholders witnessed the flow of some 14,000 passengers through check-in, Immigration and Customs yesterday (December 22), within a very short timeframe and without any delays.

On hand to witness the historic occasion were Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) Chairman, Dennis Morrison; Executive Director of the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Jennifer McDonald; President of Airports Authority of Jamaica, Audley Dietrich, led by Chief Executive Officer of MBJ Airports, operators of Sangster International, Dr. Rafael Echevarne.

Dr. Echevarne confirmed that the 14,000 passengers and 55 flights for the day “is an absolute record.” The flights included ten long haul runs, four coming from Germany and six from the United Kingdom.

He said MBJ Airports had been working very hard to see that operations ran smoothly and from all indications, “we’ve managed to do that.” To aid the process, an additional security lane was introduced with additional metal detectors to ensure security was not compromised.

There was also an increase in the number of Customer Agents identified in special uniforms that invited passengers with queries to “Ask Me”. The gold coloured polo shirts were also branded with the MBJ logo and the JTB’s marketing tagline, “Jamaica. Home of All Right.” Additionally, passengers were treated to Jamaican made ice cream, coconut water and juices as they made their way in continuously flowing lines. And on the outside, as they boarded buses that would take them to the three cruise ships in the Montego Bay Harbour, they were greeted on the inside by a two-man calypso band and on the outside by the popular sound of Reggae from Love Zone Band.

Mr. Morrison disclosed that Tuesday’s arrivals at the airport represented a 20 percent increase over the corresponding period last year. He attributed the increase to several things, notably marketing Jamaica as the destination of choice and working with various tour operators. “A particularly important factor in today’s visitor increase is the air-and-sea arrangement with Thomson in which the passengers arrive here to go on cruises; also, on the departure side you see people who arrived a couple weeks ago leaving.”

He was very pleased with what he had witnessed in the operations at all levels and commended the airport staff “for doing a really efficient job in extending courtesy to the passengers and assisting them in many ways.”

Mrs. McDonald was also satisfied with the contribution her agency had made to ensure the smooth flow of passengers through the airport. The staff was boosted with 39 officers being recruited island-wide and 23 assigned to Montego Bay, after graduating a week ago. Additionally, five persons were brought in from Kingston for the day and more immigration assistants employed to walk the floor and help passengers.

Also, a year ago PICA installed 10 immigration kiosks at the airport with funding from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF). The kiosks enable electronic processing of immigration documents. “We have overall 18 percent of passengers using kiosks and that is really quite good,” said Mrs. McDonald. She said even the suppliers were surprised “at such a high uptake of the service especially here in Montego Bay.”

She disclosed that dialogue is now underway with TEF to have additional kiosks installed.

Kingston, Jamaica: February 15, 2016 – Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, is extending congratulations to Morgan Heritage for winning the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album, for Strictly Roots at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards today.   The album topped the Billboard’s Reggae Album Chart in May 2015.

Strictly Roots is the group’s 10^th studio album and was produced by their own ‘Cool To Be Conscious’ label. It was listed among the 10 Best Reggae Albums of 2015 by Billboard.com who also shared that the family's steadfast devotion to classic reggae is winning new admirers.

“I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Morgan Heritage on an award well deserved. They have certainly made Jamaica proud through the extraordinary music they have produced over the years. This very prestigious award is not only a win for the group but also a win for all Jamaicans” he said. “Reggae remains one of Jamaica’s strongest brands and performers, like Morgan Heritage, who have taken it to the world stage, are global ambassadors of Brand Jamaica," Minister McNeill added.

The announcement of the award was made earlier today during the 58th Annual Grammy Awards, at Staples Center, Los Angeles in the United States.

Though Morgan Heritage were the victors at this year’s staging, the Minister also congratulated the other nominees who also produces exceptional albums. The four other albums which vied for the award this year, included – Branches of The Same Tree by Rocky Dawuni, Acousticalevy by Barrington Levy, Zion Awake by Luciano and The Cure by Jah Cure.

TREASURE BEACH, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, February 15, 2016:  The area of Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth has been earmarked as a pilot project in the drive to further develop community tourism across the island. In support of this programme, the community has received an injection of $48 million from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) to help fund its development projects.

Stakeholders in Treasure Beach recently welcomed the announcement by Tourism and Entertainment Minister, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill that the area which is renowned for community tourism would be the first to benefit under a new initiative to assist community tourism enterprises. The programme forms part of efforts to implement the Community Tourism Policy recently tabled in Parliament.

The Minister stated that a total of $20 million of the total allocated is to be used as a revolving loan fund to assist smaller properties that are facing challenges to equip themselves in order to acquire operating licenses from the Jamaica Tourist Board which has specific standards for approved tourism entities.

Minister McNeill informed the Treasure Beach stakeholders that they would become eligible for various benefits as long as they were undertaking steps to become compliant with the revised Tourist Board Act.

He also disclosed that an additional $28 million had been granted by the TEF to improve road infrastructure in the community “because under the Tourism Linkages Initiative we want the farmers to also benefit from the growth in tourism. So by improving the roads they will be able to get their produce to purchasers in a timelier manner and the improved roads will benefit persons living in the area as well.”

Even with arrivals reaching a record 3.65 million in 2015, Minister McNeill declared, “to get the real benefit of tourism I want to see a thrust in Community Tourism because that opens up areas like this. Once we get the model right it will open up a wide cross section of Jamaica to community tourism.”

Having charged the ministry team to implement the policy, to loud applause from a gathering at the BREDS Foundation Sports Park, Minister McNeill announced to stakeholders, “we determined that given the nature of Treasure Beach and the fact that the people here have started a lot of work in community tourism and community development amongst yourselves, this was an ideal place to start.”

To get this going, attention is being given to formulating a Development Order to ensure that the character of the South Coast is protected.

Minister McNeill emphasized that “we want the benefits of tourism to spread across the length and breadth of Jamaica; we want to ensure that it’s not just those with big pockets but that Jamaicans at all levels can benefit.”

To this end, community tourism is seen as one of the avenues to making the industry more inclusive. Since last year the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) has been working with the Policy Division of the ministry to address the issues that arise. These include marketing and compliance with licensing regulations.

While recognizing the need to protect the industry, Dr. McNeill said there had to be realistic standards for small and large properties as “some of the things that are in place for large properties are not practical for smaller properties and we want to ensure that the smaller properties are able to benefit from tourism.” Attention is also being given to attractions.

The community tourism plans outlined for Treasure Beach were endorsed by a wide cross section of stakeholders, including Mayor of Black River, Councillor, Everton Fisher; Chairman of the South Coast Resort Board, Anthony Freckleton; founding chairman of BREDS Foundation and pioneer Treasure Beach hotelier, Jason Henzell.

Prior to the stakeholders meeting Dr. McNeill and senior executives who head key departments in the tourism ministry and its agencies were taken on a tour to sample what Treasure Beach has to offer and hear first hand from stakeholders. They were accompanied by tourism partners from the area including Mr. Henzell and Rebecca Miersma. The tour included visits to Ital Rest which is run by six Rastafarian brothers and their families, Seaweed Villa and the Treasure Beach Women’s Group Craft Shop, which provides a livelihood for some 80 craft traders.

NEGRIL, Jamaica: February 7, 2016: A social intervention pilot project for the parish of Westmoreland is to be rolled out over the next few weeks to help reduce criminal activity. This was disclosed by Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, recently during a handing over ceremony for the refurbished Negril Police Station.

In his remarks, Dr. McNeill stated that the $20 million project is being funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and will consist of programmes in schools, including sports, intervention meetings, job training, mediation and community outreach. “The Ministry of National Security has put this forward and it is specific to Westmoreland as a pilot project,” Dr. McNeill said.

In delivering the keynote address at the handing over ceremony the Tourism Minister expressed satisfaction in the timely way in which the refurbishing of the station was executed, pointing out that it was on time and under budget. “Of the fifty million budgeted, under forty million was spent and this was due to the Project Management Unit of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) providing additional skilled labour which resulted in this significant savings to the project,” said Dr. McNeill.

According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Leon Rose members of the JCF provided services in the areas of electrical, plumbing, painting, carpentry, masonry, tiling, welding, landscaping and even the construction of an ID Parade room. A 304-foot perimeter fence was also installed.

Dr. McNeill said that the refurbishing of the Negril Police Station is a part of the strategic approach in the collaborative relationship between the Ministries of Tourism & Entertainment and National Security, noting that the half billion dollars set aside is a huge support. “Our support is in excess of half billion out of the Tourism Enhancement Fund and that is a lot of money in the budget of any ministry and certainly a major part of the budget of the TEF.”

The Ocho Rios Police Station has been refurbished and the Port Antonio Police Station is slated to be the next beneficiary under the TEF-funded programme.  

The Minister of National Security, Hon.  Peter Bunting; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. George Quallo; President of the Negril Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Lee Issa; and Chairman of the Negril Resort Board, Mr. Cliff Reynolds, also participated in the official handing over of the police station.

Kingston, Jamaica: February 3, 2016: A newly released Tourism Demand Study, commissioned by the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, has revealed that opportunities created by tourism for the trade of locally-made goods and services could be worth an estimated J$70 billion. Copies of the study were presented to media representatives at a press briefing held on February 2, 2016.  The briefing was hosted by Chairman of the Tourism Linkages Council, Donovan Perkins at Sagicor Bank Jamaica Limited’s New Kingston offices.

The J$8.6million study states that though many hoteliers are being supplied by local businesses, many of them are importing goods that can be sourced locally.

It also indicates that the opportunity for trade could be as high as J$56.7 billion annually for processed foods, J$5.3 billion for fruits and J$1.6 billion for vegetables.  The estimated annual leakage in the manufacturing sector is J$65.4 billion, which is equivalent to 33% of the estimated total annual expenditure of businesses in the sector on manufactured goods.

Leakages in the agricultural sector are also estimated to be within the range of J$1.6 billion – J$5 billion, which is 8.5% - 25.5% of annual expenditure on agricultural products.

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill explained that his ministry has identified the constraints faced by potential suppliers in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors to meet the demand of hoteliers. He explained that the Ministry will use the empirical data in the study to put plans in place to address the constraints so that the Jamaican economy can benefit more.

“The good news is that 70% of hotels indicated that they are spending less than 10% of food expenditures on imported agricultural products. So, it makes sense to target agriculture and manufacturing to reduce imports and increase the use of locally grown fruits and vegetables, locally produced goods and services. This is big money for Jamaica. We want to earn more and keep more earnings here,” said Minister McNeill.

Chairman of the Tourism Linkages Council stated that it is the hope of the Tourism Linkages Hub, that this demand study – which was conducted by the Centre for Leadership and Governance and funded by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) – will provide empirical data required to create the framework for effective planning and identifying the demand for goods and services in the expanding local tourism industry. 

“An expanding tourism industry can and will benefit all of us in Jamaica. The tourism demand study has a wealth of information that will help guide businesses in where many opportunities lie within tourism,” said Perkins. 

President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) Nicola Madden-Greig shared that the study should also serve to encourage the tourism sector to view the local agriculture and manufacturing sectors as main providers of goods and services in areas with distinct competitive advantage.

“The Linkages initiative has broken down barriers that existed long ago and misunderstandings in terms of: What is the availability? What are the opportunities? How can I take advantage of them? So, I think that through the Tourism Linkages Hub and the Tourism Demand Study we have now opened the doors really wide for persons in the industry to look across the aisle to see what’s available locally,”  she stated.

The full findings of the Tourism Demand Study can be accessed on the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment’s website http://www.mot.gov.jm/

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: December 22, 2015 – As part of the preparations for this year’s Winter Tourist Season, Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, yesterday met with senior diplomats from Jamaica’s main visitor source markets (United States, Canada and the United Kingdom). These three countries traditionally represent 90 percent of the island’s visitors.   Discussions centred on updated protocols regarding visitors who may get into distressed situations while visiting Jamaica. 

Addressing a breakfast meeting at the Courtleigh Hotel, New Kingston, Minister McNeill told the gathering of diplomats as well as representatives of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), that the outlook for the Winter Tourist Season was very positive.  He once again reiterated that investment in the sector was at an all time high. “2015 will be another record-breaking year for arrivals and we are set, to once again, surpass the three-million mark for total visitors,” the Tourism Minister said.

Dr. McNeill said that as usual his ministry was working closely with the JTB, JHTA and the embassies to ensure all protocols were in place to lend assistance to visitors who may get into distressed situations while in Jamaica. “We are seeking to strengthen communication and have a vibrant working relationship with embassies and high commissions so we are all comfortable that the necessary safeguards are in place so that should an incident occur it is handled according to best practices,” said Minister McNeill.

The JTB’s Visitor Relations Department, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment and the JHTA, has crafted fundamental guidelines for handling incidents involving foreign nationals who get into distressed situations, including deaths, hospitalization, destitution, accidents, and criminal activities.

These guidelines include ensuring that incidents that may have a negative impact on visitor experience are handled effectively, sensitively and in a timely manner; that accurate information is disseminated to relevant agencies and organizations as soon as possible; as well as safeguarding Jamaica’s image and that of the tourism industry.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; February 3, 2016: Jamaican workers have been credited in large part for the success of the local tourism sector, which saw some 3.69 million visitors in 2015. Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, described them as the “the bedrock of our world-class tourism industry” as he gave the keynote address at yesterday’s inaugural Eminence Awards for Hyatt Ziva and Zilara staff in Rose Hall, Montego Bay.

Addressing staff, awardees and guests, the Minister lauded the employees of Hyatt Ziva and Zilara, noting that their hard work had helped to make the resorts a resounding success.

“You are one of the most, if not the most, important assets for our tourism and hospitality organizations. You are the difference that enables us to provide exceptional service to visitors, exceed consumer expectations and achieve that much needed competitive advantage,” Dr. McNeill told the resorts’ workers.

Noting that people were an integral part of the tourism product experience, Minister McNeill told the hotel workers, “It is ultimately the experience that visitors take away that determines the success of their visit. For this reason, each one of you here this evening makes the difference in whether visitors come back again and again.”

He also pointed out that consumers’ expectations for quality were rising as the industry grew worldwide and concurrently, competition among the players in the industry, both nationally and internationally, was intensifying.

The Tourism Minister lauded Hyatt Ziva and Zilara for recognizing the commitment, loyalty and hard work of their employees and the important role they play in their success. “The Government too recognizes the tremendous value that our tourism workers bring to the sector. For this reason we are developing structured programmes to benefit workers in the sector,” said Dr. McNeill.

He informed the audience that a contributory pension scheme for tourism workers was slated for implementation in January 2017, which would ensure that those who have given years of exemplary service to tourism could retire without financial worries. 
Also, discussion has started with the National Housing Trust to develop workable strategies for the provision of housing for tourism workers.
Pointing to a bright future for the industry, Minister McNeill said the sector was enjoying an unprecedented wave of investment by both local and foreign investors, with some J$64 billion in investments since 2012 and that over 2,500 new rooms currently under construction were expected to generate thousands of new jobs.
“That is why we are expanding our world class training programmes so we can increase our cadre of skilled workers trained and certified to take advantage of opportunities during construction of new properties and on completion of these resorts. We are actively collaborating with the Ministry of Education, HEART Trust NTA and other tertiary institutions to roll out these programmes,” he stated.
With the objective being “to equip ourselves to better benefit from this new and far-reaching development of the sector,” Dr. McNeill said he was committed to ensuring that tourism was used as a tool for social and economic development from which every Jamaican could benefit.

Fifteen members of staff received awards in twelve categories.  The top award – ‘Superstar of the Year’ – went to Peter Bartley of the resort’s Engineering Department.  He received a motor vehicle, which was presented to him by Minister McNeill, General Manager for Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall and Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, Mr. Diego Concha and the hotel’s Director of Human Resources, Betty Ann Brown.

Portland, Jamaica: January 17, 2016 – The famous Boston Beach in Portland has been refurbished at a cost of $27.7 million and was officially reopened by Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, on Thursday, January 14, 2016.

In his remarks Minister McNeill said that the rehabilitation of Boston Beach is a part of the National Beach Development Programme funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and which is being implemented by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo).

"I believe that the potential for this parish is huge and there is so much that we can do but it's not something that can happen overnight. We know that this is the birthplace of tourism in Jamaica but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done."

He said that the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment "is looking at taking control of the best beaches across the island to rehabilitate them in perpetuity and provide free access to the public".

Entry to the beach is free but Minister McNeill said there would be a fee to use the offices, gazebos, changing rooms, bathroom facilities, and concession areas in order to maintain the facilities.  He also noted that the beach is also wheel chair accessible for the physically challenged to ensure that it can be accessed by all.

Dr. McNeill added that, "Jamaica is going through the largest boom in investment in the tourism sector that it has ever had. We have over 2,500 rooms either opening or under construction in Jamaica. It is the largest construction of hotel rooms in a concentrated period of time in history that will create jobs when they are up and running. We have over 7,000 rooms coming on stream to be built after that so there is tremendous potential for what is happening. People have come to us and said we still want to invest in Jamaica and what we are doing now is talking to these investors to turn their eyes towards the east, the eastern side of this island.”

“There are a number of things that have to be done.  The first thing and probably the most important thing is the development of roads; the building of the highway that will go throughout the eastern side of this island from Kingston to Morant Bay and from Morant Bay to Port Antonio that will open up development is a serious way," the Minister said.

He also pointed out that the necessary utilities like water and sewage needs to be in place for this development to take place.

It was pointed out that the rehabilitation project provided jobs for 128 people.

Minister McNeill challenged Portlanders to take care of the facility which will complement other iconic attractions in Portland like rafting on the Rio Grande, Boston Jerk and hiking trails.

Kingston, Jamaica: January 15, 2016 – As part of efforts to boost heritage tourism the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) allocated $180 million in funding for Jamaica’s heritage sites in 2015.  This is in keeping with the agency’s mandate to create a richer tourism product and also preserve the nation's historical and cultural heritage for its citizens.   Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, made this announcement at the Commemoration Ceremony for 1907 earthquake victims, held on January 14 at a newly constructed memorial park in Bumper Hall, Kingston.

The memorial park is built around the century-old 1907 earthquake monument and will, similarly, honour the 500 persons who perished in the massive earthquake and the fire it caused, which destroyed sections of downtown Kingston.

Lauding Jamaica’s rich heritage, Minister McNeill said, “many people travel for sun, sea and sand but the truth is that a lot of countries have that to offer.  We have to offer something that is different and what we have is our heritage and culture.  This is what sets us apart – our food, our music and our people.” “We have a story to tell and we must do it in such a way that our children know where they are coming from and visitors can hear our story,” he added.

Minister McNeill told the audience of government representatives, diplomats, earthquake victims’ ancestors and community members that it was sites like the earthquake memorial that “tourists are increasingly seeking to visit as they search for a more authentic Jamaican experience. Our own Jamaicans have always been conscious and proud of our history and this type of monument reaffirms the value we place on our past.” 

The Minister described  the memorial park as  an asset to Bumper Hall and the city of Kingston, saying it adds to his Ministry’s effort to transform Kingston into a cultural heritage destination; especially with the capital recently being designated a ‘Creative City of Music’ by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Prime Minister, the Most. Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, in whose constituency the earthquake memorial is located, gave the welcome at the ceremony.  The main address was given by Minister of Education, Hon. Ronald Thwaites.

The rehabilitation of the historic site was a collaborative effort between TEF and its partners – the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), the CHASE Fund, Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT), the Social Development Commission (SDC) and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). TEF’s commitment to this project was $9 million.

Kingston Jamaica; January 14, 2016: The rafting experience in Portland is set to be significantly enhanced, with some $32 million being allocated to renovate the facilities in Berridale and Rafter’s Rest.

This was revealed by Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill at a meeting which followed the second staging of the Rafter’s Rest Race on Wednesday January 13, 2016.

“We view this $32 million as an investment in the facilities to provide a better experience for everyone who comes to raft at the Rio Grande,” said Minister McNeill.

The project, which is being funded by the Ministry's Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and managed by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), is set to commence during the first week of February, 2016.

The facility at Rafter’s Rest will get improved restrooms, upgraded electrical and sewage systems, roof repairs and a new loading deck. While, the Berridale location will have its kitchen revamped and the premises repainted.

Additional changes may also be made based on suggestions which are expected to be made by the raft captains at an upcoming meeting with the board of the River Rafting Authority.

The Minister explained that restoring the attraction was an important duty of the Ministry and Portland’s resort board because of the significant part it plays in Jamaica’s tourism product.

 “There are certain things about Jamaica which make it different from any other destination and one of them is the rafting.  Rafting started here and it still remains an iconic attraction. We have a duty to work on restoring the rafting at the Rio Grande to its glory days,” said Dr. McNeill.

The announcement was warmly received by Portland stakeholders, who expressed gratitude for the focus being placed on Portland by the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment and its agencies.