KINGSTON, Jamaica; May 26, 2018:  Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett leaves the island tomorrow to participate in the 4th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in Bangkok, Thailand.  While there, the Minister will participate in a cooking demonstration of Jamaican cuisine.

“Thais have expressed that they are excited about the prospect of Jamaica’s Run Down, coming to compete with their Rengdang. While we were talking about the cuisines in South Korea recently, they asked us to look at the two and have a cook-off. So, I agreed on the condition that at the end of the demonstrations we create a new cuisine that is a fusion of both the Rengdang and Run Down, which we can call Jamdang,” said the Minister.

The Minister explained that he first noticed the similarities in the Thai Rengdang and the Jamaican Run Down while at the last UNWTO Gastronomy Forum, which took place in San Sebastian, Spain.

“We saw a cooking presentation from the Thais last year which struck a note. When we looked at the Rengdang closely, we noticed that they used coconut cream to make a sauce for mackerel – similar to the way we prepare Run Down.  So I knew that in Thailand, Jamaica would have to be represented in the presentations,” explained the Minister.

He further noted that the fusion of the two cuisines could create a new market for local manufacturers and culinary experts in the Asian economy.

“I have talked about it with some of our producers here and they are excited about it because it has the potential for us to create a new line of products for a new fusion cuisine that may be popular in Jamaica and Asia – which is the new frontier of wealth and power.  It’s an exciting prospect to have Jamaica inserted in that narrative from a culinary perspective,” said the Minister.

In preparation for the cooking presentation in Thailand, the Minister received lessons from the Executive Chef of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Mark Cole with assistance from Grace Food’s Chef, Andre Sewell.

The Minister received the official invitation to participate in this year’s forum from UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili and the Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand, Her Excellency, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul.

The forum is an opportunity for leading experts in gastronomy tourism to discuss currents trends and challenges in the sector, exchange best practices and inspire discussion on intercultural dialogue, gastro diplomacy, and the importance of technology for sustainable gastronomy tourism.

During the forum, the Minister will be joined by Head of the Tourism Linkages Network, Carolyn McDonald-Riley and Head of the Ministry’s Gastronomy Network, Nicola Madden-Grieg.

The Minister is expected to represent Jamaica at the high-level round table discussions on May 30.  While Mrs. Madden-Grieg will give a presentation of successful initiatives and best practices in Gastronomy Tourism at the UNWTO’s member panel discussions, on the following day. 

The theme of this year’s forum is ‘Harnessing the Power of Technology and Community Tourism as drivers for a Positive Global Impact.’ Minister Bartlett explained that his Ministry’s Linkages Network is ‘leading the way in this regard with the development of several gastronomy-themed mobile applications’

“We have embraced gastronomy tourism as one of the driving elements of bringing in more visitors to our destination.  More countries across the world are also moving to Gastronomy Tourism in a very strong way and Jamaica as usual, has to be on the cutting edge. We feel that we can develop it even more, by using more technology,”

While in Thailand, Minister Bartlett will also use the opportunity meet with Asian Ministers regarding Multi-Destination Tourism.   

The Minister and his team are expected to return to the island on June 1, 2018.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; May 22, 2018:  Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has issued an open call for manufacturers of locally produced corporate gifts to apply for the Tourism Linkages Network’s annual Christmas in July tradeshow, by Friday May 25, 2018.

“Christmas in July is an important initiative which offers support to our very talented local manufacturers. We give them a platform to market their goods which are unique corporate gifts. They will have the opportunity to showcase their goods to key tourism stakeholders, as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps, the Diaspora, and Mega-Corporate companies,” said Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett.

“This year the Tourism Linkages Network will continue to push the envelope, by encouraging the use of more innovative products that will help to ensure that Jamaicans own the consumption side of tourism,” he further stated.  

The event, which is hosted in partnership with Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA), Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), seeks to provide Jamaican producers of corporate gifts and souvenir products with the opportunity to access a market segment while adding uniqueness and creativity to product offerings.

Shortlisted applicants from this open call will be invited to attend an assessment session following which an evaluation and final selection will be conducted. 

All products have to be made with materials sourced locally, proven to be at least 70 per cent locally manufactured or assembled highlighting strong Jamaican cultural influences and themes ranked favourably in accordance with the guidelines stipulated.

“The Christmas in July initiative is very crucial in helping my Ministry achieve its target of tackling the leakages in the economy and by extension create inclusive growth by the provision of jobs, which will lead to increased earning, consumption, tax revenues and the ability to better pay our debts,” said the Minister.

Head of the Tourism Linkages Network, Carolyn McDonald-Riley, shared that this year the Network is pulling out all the stops to ensure that this is the most successful event of its kind to date.

“We have revisited the Christmas in July concept this year and are ensuring that innovation is the primary theme. We are heartened by the response so far and are encouraging our local manufacturers to continue to push the envelope with their products,” she said.

The application form is accessible at the Ministry of Tourism’s website at www.mot.gov.jm or its partners’ websites: www.jbdc.net; www.jma.com.jm and www.jamaicatradeandinvest.org.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; May 22, 2018:  Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says a Tourism Innovation Council will be developed, under the newly restructured Tourism Enhancement Fund, to drive ground-breaking ideas within the industry and to encourage more Jamaicans to become entrepreneurs.

Speaking at a TEF Board of Directors meeting earlier today, the Minister noted that “the board that will drive innovation is now going to change. Instead of there being a board of governance for the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation, I will now have an Innovation Council that will work alongside the Tourism Linkages Council, who I believe are also the drivers of experiential tourism in the island.”

He noted that his Ministry has begun looking at prospects to join the council, who have vast experience in business start-ups and innovation.

“Tourism is not just about what we do to market the destination, but the driving of entrepreneurship, which will play a great role in who we select for this council.  In fact,  a key aspect of the TEF transformation will be to provide entrepreneurs with information to modify their business models as needed, to adapt to new trends in the industry and by extension keep their businesses afloat,” said the Minister.

TEF will focus on developing innovative projects, and enabling iconic attractions to be developed across the island. Within the area of projects, it will also continue its role in ensuring see to the destination enhancement by way of building out the physical infrastructure.

The new model will see TEF expanding to include new divisions such as the Tourism Linkages Network, the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) and the Craft Development Institute.

“With this new change we have been able to look at more targeted budgeting and at a more careful analysis of our projects and objectives. As a result, we are in a better position to manage and measure the outcomes. So, the budget we prepared this year reflects what we have expended and what we intend to extend,” said the Minister.

In his presentation to the board, he emphasised that TEF needs to look beyond just enhancing the physical beauty of the resort areas but to find more ways to empower the people of Jamaica to own tourism by creating innovative ideas to improve the tourism experience of the island.

“To build the capacity to create new travel experiences is to be able to retain your position on the cutting edge of the marketplace. This board in fulfilling the new mandate  of the TEF, which is now to build capacity and enable our people to do more for themselves and take a more entrepreneurial approach to tourism rather than seeking to be employees of tourism,” he said.

The members of the new innovation council will be announced at a later date.