KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 26, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett is urging global and regional policymakers to utilize new approaches, partnerships and a strong multi-level response to aid in the sector’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that this strategy will ensure that the tourism sector becomes more resilient, sustainable, inclusive and competitive.

Speaking recently during the Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF), Bartlett said: “While historically, tourism has shown a strong ability to adapt, innovate and recover from adversity, this unprecedented situation requires new approaches and a strong multi-level response and partnership to achieve some of our loftier recovery goals.”

He also noted that, “policymakers, industry leaders, investors, financial institutions and providers of innovative solutions will be required to collaborate more closely to boost and ensure the required investments to build the infrastructure that will facilitate sustainable tourism and sustainable energy consumption in the tourism sector.”

According to Minister Bartlett the transition to sustainable tourism, will also depend on whether the development of tourism is guided by a national strategy comprising policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks with sufficient incentives to stimulate the development of supply and productive capacity where sustainable goods and services are concerned.

“This approach to sustainable tourism must also be considered from a regional standpoint as well and should also incorporate strategies to fill gaps in the supply side of the equation in Caribbean tourism. Therefore Caribbean destinations need to take strategic steps to ensure that we retain more of the US dollars that flow into the region as a result of tourism,” he said.

He also recommended that more Caribbean destinations utilize the Tourism Linkages Network model, which Jamaica has successfully developed to enhance the synergies between tourism and other sectors, such as manufacturing, agriculture and entertainment. 

“Our Tourism Linkages Network has yielded great success and serves as a prime example of what can be achieved if a robust framework is put in place to strengthen linkages between tourism and other key sectors. The end result will be the development of a more inclusive tourism sector across the region; greater economic growth and job creation; as well as the retention of more of our tourism earnings,” said the Minister.

He also recommended that the region consider a multi-destination marketing approach to aid in the Caribbean’s recovery from the pandemic. Noting that implementing strong multi-destination marketing frameworks “will help to drive the supply side of the equation and create even greater opportunities for companies within the region to meet the significant demands of tourism on a regional scale.” 

The Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF 2021), now in its fifth year, is being hosted virtually from March 24-26. The event will convene the region’s public sector, utilities, financiers, project sponsors and investors to map out the region’s infrastructure needs, foster new relationships, and introduce Caribbean projects to international sources of expertise and financing.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 25, 2021: Starting April 2021, the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) will be offering, mostly free of charge, four American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) certified courses online, to members of the tourism and hospitality sector. This was revealed recently by Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, during the third JCTI Lecture Series, which focused on ‘Tourism & the Law: The Employers’ Duty of Care.’

The courses will include Certified Hospitality Supervisor / Certified Spa Supervisor; Customer Service Gold; Certified Restaurant Server and ServSafe. 

 “I am happy to share that the JCTI is taking steps to move most of its certification programmes online and the AHLEI is in the process of upgrading its website to accommodate more online presentations,” said Minister Bartlett.

Further, the JCTI is offering several middle management certification programmes, to include: Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE); Certified Hospitality Housekeeping Executive (CHHE); Certified Hospitality Trainer (CHT); and Certified Hotel Concierge (CHC).

“The JCTI, headed by CarolRose Brown, has been doing a first-rate job of facilitating the training and certification of the hospitality sector’s labour force as part of our commitment to developing Jamaica’s human capital.  This is critical to maintaining the success and competitiveness of our tourism industry, especially as the pandemic forces a tourism reset,” said the Minister.

The Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) is a division of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), an agency of the Ministry of Tourism. The JCTI is tasked with facilitating the development of Jamaica’s valuable human capital and supporting innovation for the tourism sector.

Since starting in 2018, the JCTI has facilitated the certification of some seven thousand one hundred and ninety-four (7,194) persons. This has been made possible through strategic partnerships with the Human Employment and Resource Training/National Service Training Agency Trust (HEART/NSTA Trust), Universal Service Fund (USF), National Restaurants Association (NRA), and the AHLEI. Currently, 45 candidates are preparing for their culinary arts certification offered by the American Culinary Federation (ACF).

The JCTI Lecture Series is a collaborative effort between the JCTI, and the University of the West Indies, and has been positively received by participants. The presentation on ‘Tourism & the Law: The Employers’ Duty of Care,’ was the third in the lecture series, and was delivered by attorney-at-law and Member of Parliament for Hanover Western, Tamika Davis.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; March 24, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that the $6 million tourism linkages backyard gardening project, which has been implemented by the Tourism Enhancement Fund, will be expanded across the island to enable even more Jamaicans to benefit from the tourism sector.

The project has already paved the way for ten young men and women to receive certification from the HEART/NSTA, as Certified Vegetable Farmers. They were presented with their certificates virtually in a graduation ceremony streamed live from the Montego Bay Convention Centre recently. The project has also opened up opportunities for them to earn an income by selling fresh vegetables to entities in the tourism industry.

Minister Bartlett and Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries, Hon Floyd Green lauded the initiative and the graduates for illustrating that backyard gardening in communities around hotels, has the potential to be a very successful venture, reaping financial gains from the tourism sector.

Mr. Bartlett highlighted that thousands of people at hotels eat millions of dollars worth of food, and the project was conceptualized to bring idle lands and idle hands in communities around hotels together, to generate economic gains. The idle hands would therefore be trained to grow and sell fresh vegetables to the hotels, allowing for the communities to benefit directly from tourism.

Minister Bartlett said this was in keeping with one of the roles of the Tourism Linkages Network “to connect those important moving parts of the tourism industry to then fit into a production function that enables a consumption pattern that will bring economic benefit to us as a people.”

He noted that Rose Hall, St James was chosen for the pilot project because of its capacity for the growing of winter vegetables and its proximity to the Iberostar Hotel, which was able to purchase a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables grown by young farmers in their backyards, and delivered on demand, thereby allowing them to go from farm to table in real time.

Mr. Bartlett said there was a niche market in tourism, of persons who want organic food. He added that, with the farm to table experience presenting a viable opportunity, the backyard gardening initiative will be expanded to other areas. He added that Sheffield in Westmoreland and areas in St Elizabeth have already been identified for participation in the project. “I want to use this graduation to spread the message across Jamaica, particularly around the tourism areas. I want to see these agricultural farms spring up in Negril, in Ocho Rios, in Port Antonio and on the South Coast,” he said, adding, “I want to bring more ordinary Jamaicans into the mainstream of providing on the supply side of tourism.”

He expressed government’s confidence “in the capacity of our people to supply on the demand that tourism brings.”

Minister Green welcomed the backyard gardening project as a meaningful addition to the drive for increased agricultural production and offered each graduate a contribution of $10,000 worth of inputs, such as planting materials and other items, to aid in building their capacity to produce.

The Lilliput backyard garden graduates have organized themselves into the Rosehall Agri-Ventures group. They have already earned from the production of crops such as sweet pepper, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, sweet basil and black mint, which they have sold to hotels.

The training components of the project were provided by: the College of Agriculture, Science & Education (CASE), which developed and delivered the home gardening training programme; Synergy Business Solutions, which looked at the business aspect in addition to planting for the farmers; and HEART/NSTA, which is responsible for Level 2 certification of the farmers as Certified Vegetable Producers.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 23, 2021:  Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced that due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizers of Carnival in Jamaica will forego the annual road march and related activities for April 2021, until further notice.

“After a number of consultations with the relevant stakeholders, we can now announce that Jamaica will not be hosting Carnival in Jamaica in April this year. We strongly believe it is in the best interest of our people and will aid in the Government’s fight to preserve lives and livelihoods, as we continue to see an increase in cases due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Minister Bartlett.

“We are mindful of the significant economic loss this will have on our country, as this event generates billions annually, with many small and medium sized enterprises benefitting from the celebrations. However, despite the ongoing roll-out of vaccines, the Government of Jamaica must continue to put strong measures in place to prevent unnecessary exposure of our people and visitors, to the deadly disease,” he expressed.

Senior Advisor and Strategist, Delano Seiveright added that “the Ministry of Tourism has been in advanced dialogue with the organizers of carnival about introducing a bubble concept for Carnival in Jamaica 2021, within the Government’s wider discussions to reopen the events sector, as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Seiveright noted that: "The road parade was initially postponed in 2020, due to the threat of the spread of the novel coronavirus, with Sunday, April 11, 2021 announced as the new date. The decision to forego hosting the event in April this year was made after discussions with event organizers and Government officials and is in keeping with current COVID-19 containment measures."

Organizers have indicated that all bands and fetes will honour all tickets and costumes purchased in 2020 for the next staging.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 19, 2021: Minister of Tourism and Chair of the high-level Organization of American States (OAS) Working Group, that is currently developing an action plan, for the recovery of the cruise and airline industries, Edmund Bartlett, is calling for careful consideration of the universal recognition and interoperability of systems regarding COVID- 19 vaccines. 

The Minister made the call during yesterday’s 4th meeting of the Inter-American Committee on Tourism with over thirty participants from Member States, international organizations and industry partners from the cruise and aviation industries.

“As the world begins to regain hope and confidence through the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, we are reminded that global recovery will only be achieved through equitable distribution of vaccines. Currently, developed and developing countries are lagging behind in vaccine delivery and administration and this can lead to possible discrimination of non-vaccinated travellers who simply do not have access,” said Minister Bartlett.

The OAS working group is one of four announced during the 2nd special session of the Organization of American States (OAS) Inter-American Committee on Tourism (CITUR) held last August, to facilitate the effective and timely recovery of the travel and tourism sectors.

“In calling for careful consideration of the universal recognition and interoperability of systems regarding COVID- 19 vaccines I also highlight the role of the World Health Organization as the multilateral norm and standard setting institution for public health,” added Minister Bartlett. 

The Minister is expected to further advocate these points at the upcoming Follow up Extraordinary meeting of CITUR on March 26, 2021. He also recently cautioned against the rush in advocating the use of a COVID-19 vaccine passport given the disparity in the global distribution of vaccines, which could “cause disruptiveness not just among these smaller countries but in the global space.” 

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 13, 2021: At a recent keynote presentation during the largest travel trade show, ITB Berlin, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett cautioned against rushing towards creating a COVID-19 vaccination passport based on the current rate of vaccine distribution.

Speaking with popular reporter Richard Quest during his presentation, Minister Bartlett said: “When I look at how the world intends to vaccinate itself over the next five years, and with the expectation that a 75% coverage will give some level of normalcy, I can't accept that we would begin to have vaccine requirement as a condition for travel immediately.”

ITB Berlin is considered one of the leading travel trade shows, held annually in Berlin, Germany. Minister Bartlett was a keynote speaker on the topic, ‘Resilience and Recovery of Tourism Destinations’.

The Minister went on to add that having this vaccine passport requirement could lead to severe inequities: “If this happens, given the disparity in distribution among larger and smaller countries, we are going to find the levels of inequities and discrimination that may be very disturbing if not disrupting to Global peace.”

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has now been cleared for use across North America, Europe and the Middle East, and vaccination campaigns have begun in at least 92 countries. Covishield, the India-produced version of the AstraZeneca vaccine, has already distributed hundreds of thousands of vials to countries in the Caribbean and Latin America including Dominica, Barbados, The Dominican Republic, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Ecuador and now Jamaica.

Minister Bartlett closed by saying: “This disparity in vaccine distribution is evident as larger and more affluent countries have cornered 75% of vaccines available. Where that leaves small tourism dependent countries such as Jamaica is in a state where we are going to be left behind. So, if the politics of vaccines is to be played out, then smaller countries are going to be left behind, which will cause disruptiveness not just among these smaller countries but in the global space.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 10; 2021: In keeping with national COVID-19 protocols, the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), through its Tourism Linkages Network division, will be hosting the highly anticipated Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival in a virtual format, on Saturday, March 13, 2021.

Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, in endorsing the festival, noted that “the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival presents an opportunity to celebrate Jamaica’s rich tradition of coffee cultivation, while supporting the continued expansion of the industry.”  

“Though we will be operating virtually this year, the festival still affords important interaction between producers and consumers that should prove beneficial to those businesses and communities, where the local people in particular, are anxious for the return of tourists exploring the cultural environment of the ordinary Jamaican,” he added.

The festival, which began in 2018, traditionally happens over a three-day period and sees thousands of patrons flocking to New Castle, St. Andrew to enjoy coffee products, entertainment, nature and culture. However, due to restrictions under the Disaster Risk Management Act, to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the decision was taken to host the event virtually this year.

“This virtual staging of the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival is beneficial because it will also facilitate much wider reach, as social media streaming enables the participation of Jamaicans in the Diaspora and other members of the international audience. We therefore encourage you to tune in with your family and friends for what promises to be a truly unforgettable experience,” said Bartlett.

This year's event will be livestreamed on the Ministry of Tourism’s social media pages - Facebook: @tourismja, YouTube: @MinistryofTourismJA; TEF’s social media pages: @tefjamaica; as well as the festival’s Facebook, YouTube and Instagram pages: @jamaicacoffeefest beginning at 10 a.m. It will include engaging conversations about coffee, cooking demonstrations, the annual Barista competition, and pulsating entertainment.

This annual event is billed as Jamaica's flagship coffee festival, and typically offers an immersive experience from farm to cup, and even plate, while demonstrating Jamaica's rich tradition of coffee production in the Blue Mountain region.

It also forms part of the Ministry of Tourism's strategic objective to leverage gastronomy tourism as a medium for diversifying the Jamaican tourism product.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 8, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has outlined that the latest initiative by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), through its Tourism Linkages Network division, to host a virtual gastronomy forum series, will aid in preparing the culinary industry for the rebound of the tourism sector, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister Bartlett lauded the initiative as he addressed the first session in the highly anticipated series recently. The forum focused on the topic: Gastronomy Tourism as part of the New Normal of Living with COVID-19.

The forum series will focus on food related topics and seeks to offer valuable information to the target audience, which includes: chefs, caterers, academia, agriculture stakeholders, restaurateurs and tour operators, with the aim of connecting the ecosystems and linking start-ups and existing businesses along the gastronomy tourism value chain.

“The presentations and information being offered to you our valued stakeholders, have been carefully packaged to prepare all of us for the way forward. As I’ve said before, it will not be business as usual and as much as our record of offering great hospitality stands, everyone is going to have to perform even better,” Bartlett expressed.

The upcoming sessions in the series will be held on March 9, focusing on: Innovation in Gastronomy – A Look into Innovative Gastronomy Businesses Across Jamaica; March 16, on the topic: Seasoning the Talent – How to Attract and Retain the Right Talent; March 19, exploring the topic: Social Media and Digital Marketing; and March 23, examining the issue: Standing Out from the Crowd: Developing a Destination Restaurant Experience.

“I have no doubt that the participants have a lot to gain over the next few weeks from this series. So, in five tightly packed sessions, you will be getting information at the highest level to refresh the minds of those who already know and open up new thinking for those who did not know,” said Minister Bartlett.

Other panelists in the first forum included Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Floyd Green, Director of Tourism, Donovan White and officer in the Department of Tourism Intelligence and Competitiveness at the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Michel Julian. The moderator for the session was Chair of the Gastronomy Network, Nicola Madden-Greig.

This forum series, which will air live on the social media pages of the TEF, is just one of the many initiatives being implemented by the Ministry of Tourism and its agencies, to use the downturn caused by the pandemic to enhance, diversify and reset the sector to ensure its recovery and ultimate success in the post-COVID-19 era. It was also outlined that persons who miss the live sessions can access video recordings of the discussions, which are available via the @tefjamaica YouTube and Facebook accounts.

Minister Bartlett noted that food tourism will be a critical pillar in the diversification of the industry as it seeks to rebound. “The strength of this industry is still around food.  In fact 42% of expenditures of visitors internationally is on food. So, let’s get it right and build our capacity to respond to this great demand and in so doing leave behind the most delightful aspect of every experience a visitor has – the  culinary genius of our people,” said Bartlett.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 1, 2021:  Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett has extended heartfelt congratulations to the management and staff of Jakes Hotel in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth after the property was listed among the top family vacation spots globally by luxury and lifestyle travel magazine, Condé Nast Traveller, and also named among the best boutique hotels in the Caribbean by the Daily Telegraph.

Jakes Hotel was recently named among the top nine family vacation spots worldwide by Condé Nast, which said its “winsome draw comes from the cheery painted houses decorated with bright fabrics and seashells.” The workers at the hotel were also described as “gorgeous staff who are not just friendly but also fascinating, telling stories about the island’s sporting history.” 

Meanwhile, British newspaper the Daily Telegraph also listed Jakes Hotel as one of the five best boutique bolt-holes in the Caribbean. The newspaper described the hotel as an “offbeat hideaway” that has a “lovely, raffish charm and a cool vibe on Treasure Beach.”

Minister Bartlett extended congratulations to Jakes Hotel’s Chairman, Jason Henzell on the accolades, which he says will help to promote Jamaica as the destination of choice.

“I would like to congratulate Jason and his hardworking team at Jakes on receiving these important accolades. Like many other hoteliers and tourism partners, I know that his team has faced significant challenges because of the pandemic. It is therefore heartening to see that since re-opening last June, the world’s focus is on Treasure Beach and by extension Jamaica,” said Minister Bartlett.

Mr. Bartlett added that: “Jamaica is still the ideal destination for much-needed relaxation, thanks to the wonderful work being done by our tourism stakeholders, including Jason and his team at Jakes, who are ensuring a memorable experience, which is safe, seamless and secure for all locals and visitors alike.”

Among the other properties listed by Condé Nast are Islas Secas, Panama; Sujan Jawai, India; Playa Grande Beach Club, Dominican Republic and Patrick’s Lodge, Senegal.

The other properties included in the Telegraph’s listing are Golden Rock Inn, Nevis; Little Arches, Barbados; True Blue Bay, Grenada and Villa Marie, St. Barts.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; February 25, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett has called for a fair and united approach to the global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, amid growing criticism worldwide, that advanced countries are hoarding supplies of vaccines, while poor countries are not being given access to the life-saving medication. This he feels further threatens the economic recovery of tourism dependent states and the global economy overall.

Minister Bartlett vented his concerns while speaking yesterday, during the latest instalment in the Edmund Bartlett lecture series, hosted virtually by the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre. The highly anticipated session was held under the theme: Restarting Economies Through Tourism: Vaccine Politics, Global Priorities and Destination Realities. 

While welcoming the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines globally, Minister Bartlett lamented that “there is great disparity in the global distribution of vaccines. The picture that is emerging is that advanced countries appear to be largely rejecting a united approach in favour of reinforcing inequalities on the basis of national citizenship.”

Minister Bartlett emphasised that “while the US and mostly other wealthy nations have begun to intensely vaccinate their citizens against COVID-19, generally, developing countries, home to billions of people, have yet to even receive vaccine supplies. In fact, nearly 130 countries had not yet delivered a single dose of vaccine to their combined population of 2.5 billion people. The current inequitable distribution of vaccines also means a greater risk of mutations that defy existing vaccines.”

He maintains that the implications of this approach are dire. The Minister explained that with more than 45 million confirmed cases and more than one million deaths, countries and territories throughout the Americas, particularly the poorest among them, are experiencing an unprecedented health, economic and social crisis.

“Tourism-dependent economies have lost 12 % of their GDP compared to global economic contraction of 4.4 %.  Tourism export revenues were down globally between US$ 910 billion to US$ 1.2 trillion in 2020. Between 100-120 million jobs in travel and tourism were sacrificed in 2020,” Bartlett added.

He outlined that tourism is the engine of growth in the Caribbean and its prolonged disruption spells catastrophe. “Our economies are badly bleeding and need to be thrown a lifeline. The current situation facing these economies, as well as others across the world’s developing regions, can only be described as a humanitarian crisis,” Bartlett expressed.

In pointing to the solution to the problem, Minister Bartlett said “access to vaccination among these countries needs to be improved rapidly. We cannot afford to politicize responses to the crisis at hand.  I am thus using this opportunity to urge that we prioritize tourism-dependent economies for vaccination.” 

He also expressed deep concern at the relatively slow pace of vaccination across the globe, which further compounds the situation. “At the current rate of daily global vaccination, approximately 6.53 million doses, it will take roughly 5 years to cover 75% of the population with a two-dose vaccine, according to Bloomberg research. This current lethargic pace has to be dramatically hastened, as global economic recovery efforts cannot wait five years, especially among the worst affected economies,” Minister Bartlett said.