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.

TEF Provides $28 Million for Renovation

FALMOUTH, Jamaica, Sunday, January 10, 2016: The parish of Trelawny now boasts one of the best public beaches in the island following an investment of $28 million in the development of the Burwood Beach on the outskirts of Falmouth.

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, said at the official opening on Thursday, January 7 that Burwood was one of 30 beaches located island-wide that have been selected by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) to be developed as public beaches.

TEF has allocated some $250 million for this programme and in addition to the Burwood Beach, Dr. McNeill said work was in progress on five others, with the remainder to be developed in phases.

The TEF grant for the Burwood Beach project was used to equip the facility with a children play area, picnic areas and gazebos, restrooms and changing facilities, seating, lifeguard towers, water and electricity supply as well as parking.

Minister McNeill said the improvements made at the Burwood Beach would be replicated at the other 29 locations under the beaches programme. The initiative is being undertaken by TEF in collaboration with other government partners, including parish councils, the Urban Development Corporation, Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change and the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA).

He said, “at the end of the day what we are all striving for is to ensure that more Jamaicans benefit directly from the tourism sector. So with this in mind the programme will provide improved facilities for Jamaicans who will have access to world class beach facilities across the entire island.”

He emphasized that while tourism was growing, it must play its part in enhancing the quality of life of Jamaicans.

The project was also welcomed by Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor Garth Wilkinson, who expressed appreciation on behalf of the people of Trelawny to the TEF for its contribution.

Kingston, Jamaica: September 14, 2015 – Minister of Tourism and Entertainment and Chairman of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Executive Council, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, has called on international tourism officials to ensure that while enjoying the success of national and global tourism they do enough to position the sector as a powerful force for change.

“Ultimately, the advancements of the sector, the arrival figures and the foreign exchange earnings will be meaningless unless tourism’s success is uplifting our communities, generating jobs and business opportunities and creating better lives for our people,” said Minister McNeill.

He was addressing delegates from UNWTO Member States, the private sector and academia at the Official Opening Ceremony for the 21st Session of the UNWTO General Assembly in Medellín, Colombia, yesterday (September 13).  Some 800 delegates are attending the event which will focus on “Tourism’s ability to foster inclusive development and social transformation”. It is being held from September 12 to 17, 2015.

Minister McNeill’s call comes against the background of five consecutive years of robust growth in international tourism as well as record global tourism figures which saw 1133 million international tourist arrivals in 2014 and earnings of US$1245 billion worldwide.

Noting that the debate about sustainable tourism must be translated into action, the Tourism Minister called on the international gathering to “ensure the implementation of policies and programmes that translate into measurable and meaningful benefits for all the citizens of the countries we represent. This must be the objective that is in the forefront of our minds as we carry out our discussions and make our decisions.”

Held every two years, the General Assembly is UNWTO’s main statutory meeting and the most important international gathering of senior tourism officials and high-level representatives of the private sector.

Minister McNeill, who is accompanied by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Jennifer Griffith, will return to the island on Tuesday, September 15, 2015.

MONTEGO BAY, St James; Monday, September 7, 2015:  The linkage between tourism and agriculture will begin to benefit a number of historic rural communities in southern St. James soon, with the Tourism Enhancement Fund financing the rehabilitation of a roadway in the area, to the tune of just under $84 million.

A contract for the road works was signed at the Mocho Community Centre recently and the document presented to the contracting firm, S&G Road Surfacing Materials, represented by Director Bobby Smith, by Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill.

Work is to get underway in two weeks and be completed satisfactorily in four months. The scope of work includes repairing breakaways, replacing walls and drains and giving the 7.4 kilometre roadway from Mocho to Arcadia double surface dressing. The road traverses four communities.

Explaining how the funding of the project by TEF came about, Dr. McNeill outlined a number of ways in which tourism impacted the community.

“It affects us in a lot of ways; it affects us depending on our linkages and the extent to which the vegetables and foods which you grow up here are consumed in the hotel sector; it affects us because many of us have relatives who work in the hotels or worked on the hotels when they were being developed, or because we are in a community near Accompong where visitors are passing back and forth and to the extent that they can stop and enjoy the environs… it’s a good thing,” he pointed out.

The Minister said, “we have an important role to play here because you can’t ask visitors to come into the community and partake of the economy here if they can’t reach here by road.” He told residents that the TEF was the agency which was giving the National Works Agency the money to repair their road, so whenever they see a TEF sign saying “Your tourism dollar working for you” they should understand what that meant.

Dr. McNeill said he fully understood the importance of having good roads in rural communities, adding, that “especially for you in this community because you have a major attraction up here, the extent to which we can get visitors to come here, the better the road, the more visitors you’re going to see.”  

Member of Parliament for South St James and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Derrick Kellier welcomed TEF’s support.

He also emphasized the tourism linkage. “This road leads to Appleton which in itself is a tourist attraction. The road also leads to Accompong Town which is a major historic site in the area. It leads also to YS Falls via Maggoty and from the other end it leads to Flagstaff which is a big historic site. Also Kensington where there is a Sam Sharpe Monument and where the 1831 Rebellion started.”

He agreed that, “there is tremendous potential for tourist development in this area – the artifacts are here, the places are here and we need to open it up to the public. There are also areas such as trails that are named after Maroons like Tacky and Cudjoe in the Camoro Mountains and they lead back from Flagstaff to Accompong Town. It’s really a charm for people to go there and explore them.”

Minister Kellier added that, “it really is very important that this road project has come on stream and, of course, the residents are very happy and those who support the tourist industry with their farm products also have a better opportunity.”

Mayor of Montego Bay and Councillor for the Maroon Town Division, Glendon Harris also welcomed the support of the Ministry and the TEF.

Meanwhile, Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Richard Azan supported Mayor Harris in his call for the citizens to play their part in protecting the road from deterioration by keeping their gateways clean at all times and not waiting until Christmas or Independence periods to do so. He also suggested a return to the days when people would voluntarily clean drains in their communities.

Minister Azan expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment and TEF for providing the funds for the project. “They have been helping us out at the National Works Agency to do a number of projects across the island and if it was not for the TEF the NWA couldn’t be driving and driving so well,” he said.

Kingston, Jamaica: September 6, 2015 – Lawmen in the resort town of Ocho Rios have been given added resources to aid in their efforts to maintain law and order as the parish capital became the latest area to be outfitted with a cutting edge Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system. The system was officially handed over recently at the Ocho Rios Police Station, where the monitoring centre is located.

The project forms part of the government’s overall mandate to improve public safety and security across the island by: deterring criminal behaviour, reducing the fear of crime and assisting the JCF in its enforcement and regulatory functions.

The system in Ocho Rios is worth over J$107million and was partly funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), which provided J$57 million dollars.

Head of Modernization Initiatives and Strategic Projects at the Ministry of National Security, Dr. Canute Thompson shared that the impressive system, which provides detailed surveillance of the resort town, includes numerous ‘high tech’ cameras, which include a mixture of pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) and fixed cameras.

The cameras are also equipped with solar technology to avoid interruptions that may occur during a loss in power. The system is monitored 24 hours per day by a select team of 12 duty surveillance officers who are able to access footage in real time as it has a 36 terabyte storage capacity.

Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill stated that “our tourism master-plan mandates that the TEF ensures the full development of our traditional resort areas.” He added that the CCTV system is a welcome initiative by the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment and stressed that he hopes “the security system will improve the public safety of Jamaicans and visitors alike and help us in our mission to fight crime.”

He also shared that TEF has provided and additional J$2.6 million for the extensive renovation of the Ocho Rios Police Station, which began on August 26, 2015.

Minister of National Security Hon. Peter Bunting explained that the Jamaica Constabulary Force recognizes the importance of improved technology to fight crime across the island.

“Making greater use of technology available to the security forces is one of the deliberate strategies employed by the Ministry of National Security in the interest of citizen security and the reinforcing of a culture of lawfulness in Jamaica,” said Bunting.

He also shared that the installation of the CCTV systems in select areas is the first stage in what he hopes will become a part of a national plan to improve security across the island.

“Rather than having a distributed system, we could have a wide area network so that we can have a national monitoring centre where all the CCTV systems, not just the ones being used by the police but the ones being used by the National Works Agency, Parish Councils, and private operators, who are willing, because the value of the system increases exponentially based on the number of cameras,” Bunting explained. 

The Commissioner of Police Dr. Carl Williams expressed gratitude for the new system in Ocho Rios. “With the CCTV we are applying technology to help fight crime, but we are unveiling a lot of other initiatives to ensure that we make this country safer not only for our citizens but those who grace our shores every year,” explained Williams.

He also disclosed that “the system will also be used as an evidence gathering tool where the cameras are not only used to film incidents but also police response and conduct in their interaction with citizens.”

The Commissioner also expressed appreciation for a new motor bike which was handed over by Chairman of the Ocho Rios Resort Board, Dr. Roosevelt Crooks, to boost the rapid response capability of the lawmen in the area.

In addition to Ocho Rios, CCTV surveillance systems have also been installed in Montego Bay, Mandeville and May Pen.

The Poet Laureate of Jamaica programme under the directorship of the National Library of Jamaica (NLJ), will bring to life for this year’s Emancipendence celebratory period the launch of a weekly poetry feature called: From Our Poetry Books. The feature, which will bring poetry to the fingertips of Jamaicans, showcases one published Jamaican poem to the public through the Sunday Gleaner, as well as through various radio stations. From Our Poetry Books will run in the Arts and Education section of The Sunday Gleaner each week, starting Sunday, August 2, 2015 and will also be aired on the The Arts Page, a production of the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Radio starting Friday, August 7. 

Poet Laureate of Jamaica, Professor Mervyn Morris stated, “At my investiture last year I said I would try to persuade some of our media houses to give more space and time to significant, well-crafted poems; From Our Poetry Books is an attempt to make good on that promise, acknowledging in every instance the book from which the item was selected.”

He continued, “So starting on August 2, Emancipendence Sunday, Jamaicans can look out and listen out each week for a poem I believe they will find accessible and meaningful.”

 The new feature, From Our Poetry Books falls within the ambit of the Poet Laureate of Jamaica programme, which primarily aims to aid in the relighting and rekindling of national pride and love for Jamaican poetry. The poems are selected by the Poet Laureate himself, and will capture the essence of our rich Jamaican literary heritage.

Following its initial launch in the Arts and Education section of the Sunday Gleaner the feature will take permanency with a new poem being published each week.

Additionally, From Our Poetry Books will air every last Friday of the month on various local radio stations as a feature on JIS’s Arts Page. The Arts Page will first launch From Our Poetry Books on Friday, August, 7, 2015, the day after Independence.

The National Library of Jamaica serves as the Secretariat to the Poet Laureate of Jamaica Programme, as well as the home for the publications, recordings and other materials emanating from the programme’s activities. The Poet Laureate of Jamaica Programme is funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund, the CHASE Fund and the NLJ.

 More information about the Poet Laureate of Jamaica Programme and upcoming features can be found at http://www.nlj.gov.jm/poetlaureate/index.htm.

Kingston, Jamaica: July 14, 2015: The Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment’s Tourism Linkages Hub has undertaken an innovative initiative to boost the purchase and use of more Jamaican made items as corporate gifts locally. This as the hub has moved to host a unique event to get corporate Jamaica holiday shopping very early this year and to encourage the purchase of more locally made gift items, through the its new ‘Christmas in July’ initiative to be held on Friday, July 24, 2015, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.

Some 80 local producers of authentic craft, gifts and souvenirs will showcase a wide selection of items to buyers from the hospitality sector and corporate Jamaica in general who are looking for suitable gifts for clients and staff. Among the items which will be on display are ceramics, office and home accessories, paintings, bags, processed foods and aromatherapy/spa products.

“The Tourism Linkages Hub is constantly working to ensure that Jamaica’s tourism sector becomes better integrated with other sectors. ‘Christmas in July’ is another initiative to bring together local suppliers and buyers and we look forward to a positive response from our businesses and hotels,” said Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill.

“This event provides an excellent opportunity for persons in corporate Jamaica to see firsthand the creative gift and souvenir items made by our talented local producers, and buyers can order on the spot or initiate discussions and business negotiations,” expressed Chairman of the Tourism Linkages Council, Donavon Perkins.

Christmas in July is a collaborative effort of the Tourism Linkages Hub and its partners, the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Jamaica Manufacturers' Association (JMA), Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), and Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA).

The primary goal of the Tourism Linkages Hub is to ensure that Jamaica’s tourism sector becomes better integrated with and creates local opportunities for other sectors such as entertainment, agriculture and manufacturing. The hub’s activities are guided by the Tourism Linkages Council. The Council includes representatives of JAMPRO, the JHTA and the JMA and other stakeholder groups.