TREASURE BEACH, St Elizabeth; September 21, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett is lauding the South Coast’s renowned resort complex, Jakes Hotel and Jack Sprat on achieving 100 percent staff take up of both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

They are the first and only establishment in Jamaica so far to have accomplished this under the tourism vaccination initiative of the Ministry of Tourism and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association working in tandem with the Private Sector Vaccination Initiative.

In hailing Jakes and its staff, Minister Bartlett said, “I commend Jakes for setting the pace in the drive to get all tourism workers vaccinated. The tourism industry is on the rebound globally and travellers are looking for COVID-safe destinations for their travel experiences. If we are to achieve maximum returns our tourism workers must demonstrate their commitment to protecting themselves, their co-workers, their families and our visitors by taking the lifesaving vaccine.”

Other establishments on the South Coast participating in the vaccination initiative are said to be at levels between 40 and 70 percent, mostly with a first of two dose vaccines.

In highlighting the “Jakes Family” accomplishment, Jason Henzell, Chairman of Jakes Hotel, Villas & Spa said: “We are proud of our staff of 125 persons achieving this milestone. Jakes strives to be a good steward of community tourism, knowing that the health and safety of our staff and guests, as well as the wider community of Treasure Beach, and in fact Jamaica and the world as a whole, are of great importance to us as a resort destination.”

Relating how it was accomplished, Mr Henzell said it was by doing “whatever it takes and meeting them wherever” they feel comfortable. “We’ve been spending a lot of time with our staff with regards to educating them on the history of vaccination in Jamaica and the efficacy of each of the COVID-19 vaccines. We arranged for them to meet with doctors, making appointments for them, arranging transportation and even picking them up at their houses, some of them in my own car,” he disclosed.

Mr. Henzell also underlined the importance of being empathetic, as shaming persons would only serve to push them away. He was pleased that adopting a caring, understanding approach worked, adding: “We’re very proud and we think it will mean a lot to the travel trade.”

Regarding the national drive to get tourism workers vaccinated, Mr Henzell said: “A lot boils down to trust, not rushing them through the process and giving them any reason to feel intimidated.” He added: “If we are to follow all of the research and all the statistics that have been published, becoming vaccinated gives you a much higher success rate of getting through terrible days of COVID if you become infected, so I strongly suggest that you consider the vaccine and even speak to your doctor about which one might be best suited for you.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 21, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has revealed that two cruise ships will call on the Ocho Rios Port this week. This development the Minister underscores, is further evidence of the growing demand for destination Jamaica and the success of efforts to reopen the tourism sector.

“The award winning MSC Meraviglia returns to the Port of Ocho Rios on Tuesday September 21 for the first of five calls up to November. Although it has a carrying capacity of approximately 7,000 passengers and crew, it will be docking with some 2,833 persons onboard due to COVID-19 protocols,” Minister Bartlett explained.

The MSC Meraviglia was the last cruise ship to dock in Jamaica in early 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing the closure of the island’s international borders.

The other vessel setting sail for Jamaica, to also dock in Ocho Rios, is the Carnival Sunrise on its return trip on Wednesday September 22. The Carnival Sunrise was the first vessel to visit the island as Jamaica reopened to cruise tourism on Monday, August 16 and will be making some 11 calls up to December. 

“Cruise shipping is critical to the recovery of the tourism sector, and we are seeing a welcome return of vessels with the recognition that Jamaica’s Resilient Corridors offer a safe environment for our visitors, tourism workers and the general population,” expressed Minister Bartlett.

“With the return of stopover visitor arrivals since June 2020, we have been seeing steady growth towards pre-COVID-19 levels and now that the cruise shipping industry is back onstream, we are looking forward to significant growth in our numbers,” he adds.

Mr. Bartlett says Jamaica is well prepared for cruise ship calls as all the requirements have been put in place to meet both international and local Ministry of Health and Wellness COVID-19 protocols, and passengers are limited to moving within the Resilient Corridors.

“I must underscore that the cruise ships have to meet strict measures governing the restart of cruise shipping, requiring approximately 95% of passengers and crew to be fully vaccinated and for all passengers to provide evidence of negative results from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of sailing. In the case of unvaccinated passengers, such as children, a PCR test is mandated, and all passengers are also screened and tested (antigen) on embarkation,” Minister Bartlett stressed.

Based on schedules to date, Minister Bartlett says Jamaica is expecting some 20 cruise ship calls before year-end.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 21, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has revealed that two cruise ships will call on the Ocho Rios Port this week. This development the Minister underscores, is further evidence of the growing demand for destination Jamaica and the success of efforts to reopen the tourism sector.

“The award winning MSC Meraviglia returns to the Port of Ocho Rios on Tuesday September 21 for the first of five calls up to November. Although it has a carrying capacity of approximately 7,000 passengers and crew, it will be docking with some 2,833 persons onboard due to COVID-19 protocols,” Minister Bartlett explained.

The MSC Meraviglia was the last cruise ship to dock in Jamaica in early 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing the closure of the island’s international borders.

The other vessel setting sail for Jamaica, to also dock in Ocho Rios, is the Carnival Sunrise on its return trip on Wednesday September 22. The Carnival Sunrise was the first vessel to visit the island as Jamaica reopened to cruise tourism on Monday, August 16 and will be making some 11 calls up to December. 

“Cruise shipping is critical to the recovery of the tourism sector, and we are seeing a welcome return of vessels with the recognition that Jamaica’s Resilient Corridors offer a safe environment for our visitors, tourism workers and the general population,” expressed Minister Bartlett.

“With the return of stopover visitor arrivals since June 2020, we have been seeing steady growth towards pre-COVID-19 levels and now that the cruise shipping industry is back onstream, we are looking forward to significant growth in our numbers,” he adds.

Mr. Bartlett says Jamaica is well prepared for cruise ship calls as all the requirements have been put in place to meet both international and local Ministry of Health and Wellness COVID-19 protocols, and passengers are limited to moving within the Resilient Corridors.

“I must underscore that the cruise ships have to meet strict measures governing the restart of cruise shipping, requiring approximately 95% of passengers and crew to be fully vaccinated and for all passengers to provide evidence of negative results from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of sailing. In the case of unvaccinated passengers, such as children, a PCR test is mandated, and all passengers are also screened and tested (antigen) on embarkation,” Minister Bartlett stressed.

Based on schedules to date, Minister Bartlett says Jamaica is expecting some 20 cruise ship calls before year-end.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 16, 2021:  Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance for global tourism policy makers and industry leaders to activate a more proactive and decisive approach, to enhance the sector’s resilience.

“Overall, the pandemic has reminded tourism policy makers and industry leaders that they are equally crisis managers. This necessitates a posture that understands and accepts the imminence of various threats to the sector and the resultant need to activate a proactive approach to enhancing its readiness to meet the challenges of the present and future,” said Bartlett.

He suggested that this decisive leadership should be underscored by meaningful partnerships and synergies; data-driven policies; innovative thinking and adaptation and human capacity-building. Other considerations can include aggressive approaches to product diversification; the establishment of effective, real-time information systems; and a commitment to sustainable tourism development that balances multi-interests and future considerations whether economic, social, human, cultural and indeed, environmental.

The Minister made these remarks during a panel discussion at the highly anticipated ‘A World for Travel – Évora Forum,’ a global sustainable travel industry event, which began today in Évora, Portugal.  

The panel discussion focused on the theme “Covid-19: A Resilient Sector Drives to a New Deal with New Leadership Demands,” and was moderated by Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor at CBS News. The session explored how governments and industry step up with leadership in a congruous manner allowing the sector to influence policy.  

The Minister was joined by His Excellency Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Secretary of State for Tourism, France; His Excellency Fernando Valdès Verelst, Secretary of State for Tourism, Spain; and His Excellency Ghada Shalaby, Vice Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Arab Republic of Egypt. 

During his presentation Minister Bartlett also highlighted that the pandemic has underscored the importance for the tourism sector to establish a task force or an action committee that can be immediately activated at the onset of a crisis.

“This critical asset provides important advantages in crisis management experiences with respect to ensuring swift responses, targetted communication, balance of information between warning and assurance and general cross-sectorial cooperation and collaborations, which allows for the leveraging of diverse strengths, skills and resources to achieve common goals.  As a result of strengthened relationships among stakeholders, the capacity to identify risks early and implement effective mitigation and recovery strategies is also likely to be enhanced,” said Bartlett. 

The organizers have noted that the first edition of the “A World for Travel – Évora Forum” will focus on key components of the industry where change is mandatory, identifying the steps that need to be taken and consolidating solutions to be implemented.  

The conference will approach themes intrinsic to sustainability such as economic model variations, climate impact, tourism’s environmental impact, coastal and marine shifts as well as agricultural and carbon neutral policies.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 14, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett is set to participate in the highly anticipated ‘A World for Travel – Évora Forum,’ a global sustainable travel industry event, scheduled for September 16 and 17 in Évora, Portugal.

The event is being organized by Eventiz Media Group, the largest travel media group in France, in partnership with the Global Travel & Tourism Resilience Council. The event is also being hosted with the support of Visit Portugal, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Jamaican based Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC).

It will bring global leaders, from both the public and private sectors, together to discuss ways they can transform the travel and tourism industry and examine the way forward in making the tourism industry more sustainable.

Minister Bartlett is set to participate in a high-level panel discussion on “Covid-19: A Resilient Sector Drives to a New Deal with New Leadership Demands,” being moderated by Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor at CBS News. The session will explore how governments and industry step up with leadership in a congruous manner allowing the sector to influence policy.

The Minister will be joined by His Excellency Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Secretary of State for Tourism, France; His Excellency Fernando Valdès Verelst, Secretary of State for Tourism, Spain; and His Excellency Ghada Shalaby, Vice Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Arab Republic of Egypt.

Other speakers for the event include Prof. Hal Vogel, author, Professor of travel economics, Columbia University; Julia Simpson, President and CEO, WTTC; Therese Turner-Jones, General Manager, Caribbean Country Department, Inter-American Development Bank and Rita Marques, the Portuguese Secretary of State for Tourism.

Dr. Taleb Rifai, Co-Chair of the GTRCMC and Former Secretary General of the UNWTO and Prof. Lloyd Waller, Executive Director, GTRCMC are also confirmed speakers.

The organizers have noted that the first edition of the event will focus on key components of the industry where change is mandatory, identifying the steps that need to be taken and consolidating solutions to be implemented.

The conference will approach themes intrinsic to sustainability such as economic model variations, climate impact, tourism’s environmental impact, coastal and marine shifts as well as agricultural and carbon neutral policies.

The event will have an in-person attendance limitation of 350 attendees but will also be streamed live to thousands of virtual delegates. Minister Bartlett leaves the island today, September 14, and is slated to return on September 19.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 12, 2021: The Carnival Sunrise cruise ship is scheduled to arrive in Ocho Rios on Monday, September 13, 2021 with approximately 1,700 cruise passengers onboard.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, outlined that “this will be the third cruise ship arrival following the reopening of cruise tourism in August 2021.  The schedule for the cruise season had been agreed on with Carnival Cruise Line prior to the imposition of the no-movement days under the Disaster Risk Management Act.”

“The two previous cruise arrivals in August were successful and all the required protocols that had been agreed on with the cruise line were very strictly observed and monitored,” he added.

Minister Bartlett explained that the protocols and strict monitoring will remain in place for this and subsequent cruise ship calls. Arriving cruise visitors are permitted to visit only establishments within the Resilient Corridors that are certified by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and permitted to travel only on transportation licensed under the Tourist Board Act.

“Carnival Sunrise has to meet strict measures governing the restart of cruise shipping, requiring approximately 95% of passengers and crew to be fully vaccinated and for all passengers to provide evidence of negative results from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of sailing. In the case of unvaccinated passengers, such as children, a PCR test is mandated, and all passengers are also screened and tested (antigen) on embarkation,” Minister Bartlett underscored.

Minister Bartlett also emphasized that the port of call has met protocols laid down by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the cruise companies, with TPDCo also monitoring conformity to the rules.

“The Cabinet made a decision to facilitate the cruise arrival on a no-movement day to honour our agreement with Carnival Cruise Line. We are confident that the robust protocols and controls that have been put in place are sufficient to keep both our population and the arriving passengers safe” Minister Bartlett added.

He noted that: “In our quest to protect lives and livelihoods, the Government seeks to maintain Jamaica’s position as the premier cruise destination in the region while working closely with our cruise partners to maintain the highest standards of safety.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 11, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett and other tourism officials are mourning the passing of well-known and beloved singer, Karen Smith. Smith, who performed for decades as a cabaret singer across all resort areas, passed away earlier today.

“The entire tourism sector mourns the passing of Karen Smith who brought a wonderful spark and professionalism to her performances. I offer my sincere condolences to her family, friends and colleagues,” said Minister Bartlett. “Karen became a household name in tourism and the wider Jamaica with her bubbly persona and distinct voice,” added Minister Bartlett.

“I am truly proud to have been a friend of Karen, she certainly was the epitome of grace, charm and creativity. Her songs have not only charmed so many of us but have created a sense of solace to so many persons in various circumstances. She will also be remembered for the excellent leadership she provided to the music fraternity,” he expressed.

Smith is a former president of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians and Affiliates Union and was the recipient of the Order of Distinction at the rank of Officer.

“Karen became synonymous with entertainment in tourism and was a go to performer for many events in the sector. You knew that once Karen was booked, the performance would be seamless and engaging,” said Director of Tourism, Donovan White.

Known for songs including ‘Paradise’, ‘I Sought the Lord’ and ‘I Could Fall’, Smith was also one third of the group, Pakage, which included singers Gem Myers and Patricia Edwards.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 9, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has offered condolences to the relatives and friends of St. Ann hotelier, Richard Salm, who died in a motor vehicle crash yesterday, along the Llandovery main road in St. Ann.

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Mr. Richard Salm. We remain grateful for his decision to make Jamaica his home and more importantly for dedicating much of his life to serving the people of Jamaica through tourism and community development. He was indeed a stalwart in the industry and an outstanding human being,” said Bartlett.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, including all of us in the tourism industry, I would like to extend our sincere compassion and support to the family and friends of Mr. Salm. May the Lord provide you comfort during this time of grief and may his soul rest in peace,” he added.

Salm was the owner of Club Caribbean Hotel in Runaway Bay, and managing director of Drax Hall Estate, also in St. Ann. He also led the development of Ironshore in Montego Bay, which has an 18-hole golf course. 

In 1994 he and his wife, founded the Glen Preparatory School in their backyard in Salem, sponsoring the children of the staff members of his hotel. The school has since been expanded and is now located in Discovery Bay, St. Ann.

He was recognised for his contribution to national development in 2019 at the National Honours and Awards ceremony at King’s House, where he was awarded the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander (CD) for service to Tourism, Winter Sports Promotion, and Community Development.

OCHO RIOS, Jamaica; September 4, 2021: Well over 2,000 tourism workers have been vaccinated using one of three vaccines made available to them at a number of strategic blitz sites organized by the new Tourism Vaccination Task Force, in its first three days of major activities. The Task Force, which was established to facilitate the vaccination of all tourism workers island-wide, has organized a series of vaccination blitzes, with the first being held on August 30.

Following on the vaccination of 1,200 workers at the Pegasus Hotel on August 30; over two days (September 2-3)  Sandals Negril saw some 556 tourism workers taking their choice of vaccines, while at the Moon Palace in Ocho Rios on Friday, September 3, some 385 workers were vaccinated. However, Moon Palace had a previous blitz where 320 workers received the jab and to date 60 percent of its staff have been vaccinated.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett and Co-Chair of the Tourism Vaccination Task Force, Clifton Reader were on location at the Moon Palace vaccination site to observe the operations there and to thank the teams that are working together including; the nurses and doctors from the private sector who are engaged in the process.

Minister Bartlett said “the initiative is a partnership between the Ministry of Tourism, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and the Private Sector Vaccine Initiative (PSVI) to drive the vaccination of the 170,000 workers of the industry across all sub-sectors.”

While conceding that this was a tall order, Mr. Bartlett was optimistic as “we are seeing the willingness of the workers now as evidenced by the outturns that we have seen in the last three days since the programme has started.”

He said more blitz sites are to be set up in Negril, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and the South Coast with the hope of vaccinating up to 600 persons per day at each. “The intention is not to impose on the existing health infrastructure to enable this vaccination programme, so the doctors, nurses and all infrastructural arrangements are being provided by us through the coalition,” he said.

The Minister made a personal appeal to workers in the tourism industry, their families and close friends to access these specially arranged blitz sites which are offering the AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines free of cost. “We turn no one away,” he underscored.

Meanwhile, Mr. Reader who is also President of the JHTA and managing director of Moon Palace, said a previous blitz for the hotel’s staff “went so well that this time we decided to open it up to not only the families of our employees but the craft traders, the transport operators, the villa workers and those in attractions.” Persons who receive their initial dose at Moon Palace will also be invited back for their second dose.

The entire ground floor of the hotel’s west-wing was opened up for the blitz site and participants walked through an automated sanitizing shower before entering the venue where they were also treated to an audio visual presentation on the COVID-19 virus and vaccines.

Mr. Reader said large hotels with the capacity to do so, have been encouraged to pay the administrative fee to ensure that anyone who showed up would not have to pay anything to be vaccinated. “We want a safe working environment for our people and the only way to do that is through vaccination,” said Mr. Reader.

Spa Attendant at Moon Palace, Chevanise Williams said she understood that taking the vaccine was not a cure for COVID-19 but “if you catch the virus you know that the symptoms will be less severe, so it is…important for me to take it because I should protect my family and also persons coming here as well.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 30, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett has revealed that work by the newly named Tourism Vaccination Task Force, which was established to facilitate the vaccination of all tourism workers island-wide, is well underway, with the roll-out of vaccination sites locally. The task force has organized a series of vaccination blitzes, which officially begin today (August 30), at strategic sites across the island.

“The task force has been working assiduously since its first meeting on August 20, to ensure that we make it easier for our tourism workers to have access to the vaccines. We are so grateful to our partners who have made it possible for us to begin our series of vaccination blitzes today, which will undoubtedly bring us closer to our national goal of herd immunity,” said Minister Bartlett.

“Our target is to ensure that all 170,000 tourism workers are vaccinated and protected from the possible harm that can come from contracting the deadly COVID-19 virus and its variants. This will aid in our recovery efforts for the sector and by extension the country,” he added.

Minister Bartlett emphasised that “this initiative is aimed at encouraging our tourism workers to take the vaccine voluntarily, so vaccination is not mandated. The vaccination of tourism workers is key to tourism’s full recovery. So, I encourage all our tourism workers to get vaccinated to play your part in safeguarding our tourism sector.”

He outlined that vaccination blitzes are organized for the Pegasus, Kingston, today August 30, 2021; Sandals Negril, Negril on September 2, 2021 and at Moon Palace, Ochi Rios on September 3, 2021. The vaccination blitz to be hosted at Moon Palace, in particular, will target 1,000 tourism workers.

The task force is working in tandem with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) and various tourism stakeholders, both within the public and private sectors, to streamline and expedite the vaccination of tourism workers.

The vaccination blitzes are being hosted in collaboration with the Private Sector Vaccine Initiative. The sites for Montego Bay, Port Antonio and the South Coast will be determined at a later date.

However, other proposed sites for future vaccination activities for the tourism sector include: Emancipation Park, Kingston; Harmony Beach Park, Montego Bay; Falmouth Cruise Ship Pier; Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth; and the Port Antonio Cruise Ship Pier.

Among the persons being targeted are workers in hotels, villas and guest houses, attractions, airports, cruise ports, craft markets as well as ground transportation operators.

The task force, which was named by Minister Bartlett earlier this month, is co-chaired by the Tourism Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Jennifer Griffith, and President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Clifton Reader.

The other members include Chairman of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), Ian Dear; Chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Godrey Dyer; Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, John Lynch; Director of Tourism, Donovan White; President and CEO, the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), Professor Gordon Shirley; Executive Director of Jamaica Vacations Limited (JAMVAC), Joy Roberts; Acting Executive Director, TPDCo, Stephen Edwards; Executive Director of Chukka Caribbean Adventures and Chairman of the COVID-19 resilient corridors management team, John Byles;  Executive Chairman, Sandals Resorts International, Adam Stewart; First Vice President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and former JHTA President, Nicola Madden-Greig; Senior Advisor and Strategist in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright; and General Manager of Deja Resorts, Robin Russell. 

The group will be expanded to include representatives from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, and the Jamaica Defence Force. The members of the task force, which met today, are expected to meet again later this week, to fine-tune arrangements to ensure the target of a fully vaccinated tourism workforce is met.