PORT ANTONIO, Portland; July 30, 2018: Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett heaped praises on the strides made by the Alligator Head Foundation, a Portland based environmental body, during the opening of a Community-based Dive and Non-Motorized Water-sport facility in Portland last Thursday.

“The mission of Alligator Head Foundation to focus on science, art, and community, in a collaborative approach to protecting fish stocks; restoring habitats and regenerating local economies, harmonies well with TEF’s commitment to environmental protection which to date stands at over $430 million to,” Minister Bartlett commented.

The Tourism Minister also took time out to commend the Alligator Head Foundation, especially its founder, Francesca Von Habsburg, for the fantastic job that they been doing to help safeguard the country’s fish population and the environment in general.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony, which attracted tourism interests, stakeholders, and industry players, Minister Bartlett said the establishment of the facility was just under $19 million dollars.

“This project has been established through a collaborative effort between the Alligator Head Foundation and the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) with an allocation of just under $19 million dollars,

"This enabled the construction of a floating dock, purchase of a patrol boat and a glass bottom boat, acquisition of office equipment to support administrative functions of dive operations, establishment of Special Fisheries Conservation Area (SFCA) and marketing, purchase equipment for non-motorized water craft activities and enhancement of an interpretative visitor centre,” Minister Bartlett added.

Minister Bartlett noted that Portland will continue to see an expansion in tourism facilities and growth in both cruise arrivals and stopovers. He noted that while the country is attracting big money investors, there is a need for Portlanders to get more involved in helping to build the tourism industry and their communities.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; July 30, 2018:  Hailing the Hotel Four Seasons as a standard-bearer for small properties in Kingston, Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett said the 60^th anniversary of the landmark hotel comes at a time when we are seeing a renaissance in tourism development in the island’s capital.

“Small hotels remain central to the experience of the destination and continue to play a pivotal role in attracting a particular demographic into our space,” said Minister Bartlett, speaking last Friday (July 27) at a cocktail reception to mark the New Kingston hotel’s anniversary.  “We recognize therefore the pioneering role of Hotel Four Seasons in building out that cadre of small hotels and particularly creating Kingston as that space that now is becoming a very popular and desired destination,” he added.

Of Jamaica’s more than 200 hotels currently in operation, some 164 are small and medium sized properties with 200 rooms or less. These hotels account for approximately one third of Jamaica’s current room stock.

Allaying any concerns of overtourism as is happening in some European cities, the Tourism Minister pledged that tourism would not happen at the expense of the people of the country. “We have to make sure we build the product so that we remain not only a discerning destination but a distinctive destination, a desirable destination and one in which people have a livable and moveable space,” he said.

Minister Bartlett praised the hotel’s founders, German-born sisters Christa Lundh and the late Helga Stoeckert, for their commitment to local suppliers. “Helga and Christa bought from the local farmers and the local suppliers and in so doing helped to keep the dollar in Jamaica and that is very important to us. This is the retention capacity that we are talking about of the US dollar earned.   We retain it when we supply on the demand of tourism, we lose it when we import and bring in foreign goods to supply the needs of the tourist,” noted Minister Bartlett.

“We are committed to making sure that the benefits of tourism accrue to the people of the destination because tourism has that capacity to become like a plantation where the benefits of tourism are repatriated with the flights that come in with the visitors.

“We are determined to build through our linkages the absorptive capacity within our economy to make sure that the supplies that the visitor requires are sourced locally, created locally and become the creative output of the people of Jamaica,” said Minister Bartlett.

Noting the growth of Hotel Four Seasons from four rooms to 114, Minister Bartlett praised the management and staff for its excellent service to the tourism sector as well as the local community.

The anniversary function was attended by family, friends, suppliers, representatives of corporate Jamaica and tourism stakeholders, including the former Governor General of Jamaica, Sir Kenneth Hall and Lady Hall; Daniela and Mike Bauer, Directors of Hotel Four Seasons; the Right Rev. Dr. Robert Thompson, Anglican Suffragan of Kingston; and Camille Needham, Executive Director of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA).

ANNOTTO BAY, St Mary; Friday, July 27, 2018: The people of Annotto Bay and surrounding communities now have a modern beach equipped with state of the art facilities to enjoy at their leisure.

Marking Stone Beach, which has been upgraded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) at a cost of $38.3 million, was officially opened this Wednesday by Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett.

In upgrading the beach, he said a complete entertainment facility had been created making it an attraction in its own right with three gazebos, well-appointed restroom, parking facilities, a guard house, landscaping works and other improvements.

“We recognize that beaches are a great resource of tourism. In fact our scenic beaches attract a large number of domestic and inbound tourists. This is why we have ensured that the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has committed to transform one each in every parish into a quality recreational space,” Minister Bartlett said.

Minister Bartlett added that these beaches must operate at the highest and best international standards “and must be available to residents and visitors alike.”

To date, in addition to $38.3 million on Marking Stone Beach, the TEF has spent over $104 million on three other beaches in its overall beach development programme, with Lyssons Beach in St Thomas to be opened next having been upgraded at a cost of $49 million; Boston in Portland, $27.8 million and Burwood in Trelawny, $28 million.

“We’re excited about this because tourism is growing at an enormously fast pace and the growth in Jamaica is a reflection of the global rate that is taking place. In fact, we are growing ahead of the world growth pattern, and even then we are ahead of the global growth pattern for the next ten years in tourism,” said Minister Bartlett.

Mr Bartlett said with the growth in tourism, the need for space to accommodate millions of tourists plus the local population could create tension as happens in some countries with over tourism. There was therefore the need to build new capacities to deal with expansion and growth of the industry to prevent friction over the occupation of space by an increasing population of tourist and locals combined.

“That is why we have to spend so much on expanding our beaches and to make sure that there are adequate beach and recreational facilities for the Jamaican people as well as for the tourists and it’s within that context that we are doing ten beaches this year across Jamaica,” he said.

Concurrently, he said, “We are also looking at what we call liveable and walkable spaces so the Ministry of Tourism is working with Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ), through TEF to improve the physical condition of a number of communities across the country so that Jamaicans working in the industry won’t leave wonderful hotels and go back to less than ideal living conditions.”

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; July 27, 2018: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced that Jamaica will host a resilience summit with key global stakeholders and thought leaders on September 13 at the University of the West Indies, Mona. The date was selected to commemorate hurricanes Irma and Maria, two of the most devastating weather systems to have affected the region.

“This summit forms part of my ministry’s efforts to build resilience within the region and globally. Resilience building has become even more crucial in a world that is hyper connected and as such more susceptible to climate change, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism and cybercrime,” Minister Bartlett said.

The resilience summit, to be held under the theme ‘Tourism Resilience through Global Synergies’, will seek to assess existing and emerging disruptions related to tourism management globally;  examine the risk of these disruptions to the global tourism product; and identify a synergetic strategic and operational framework for mutual partnerships between and among major governmental, non-governmental and business entities to address as well as develop mitigation strategies for these global disruptions.

Speaking today at the press conference in Montego Bay to announce the summit, Minister Bartlett added that this is “A precursor to the official launch of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre in January next year and this centre will be the global hub to assist destination preparedness, management and recovery from disruptions and/or crises that affect tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods globally.”

The Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre was one of the major outcomes of the Global Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism under the esteemed partnership of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Government of Jamaica, the World Bank Group and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Slated to be housed at the University of the West Indies, Mona, the Centre will have a Chairman of the Board of Directors and Vice Chairmen include Dr. Talib Rifai, former UNWTO Secretary General and the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism of Jamaica. Dr. Mario Hardy, Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Professor Lee Miles, Professor of Crisis management at Bournemouth University, England will be members of the Board of Directors.

PORT MARIA, St Mary, Jamaica, Thursday, July 26, 2018:  Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett has underscored that “our culture and heritage are the bedrock upon which Jamaica’s tourism has been built” and must be preserved.

Describing it, he said “it is rich, vibrant, multi-cultural and born out of a dynamic and tumultuous history that has influenced our music, our food, our visual and performing arts, even our native tongue.”

It was in that context that Minister Bartlett welcomed Rio Nuevo Village in St Mary expanding its attractions to include rafting and kayaking. “This landmark northcoast attraction is evidence of Jamaica’s rich culture,” said Mr. Bartlett, adding that 30 acres was a historic site once home to one of the biggest Taino settlements in the parish. As a multi-dimensional attraction it offers a museum with one of the most comprehensive collections of Taino artefacts in Jamaica.

Rio Nuevo was also the site on which the British and Spanish armies fought in a battle that resulted in Jamaica becoming an English colony.

“We welcome attractions like Rio Nuevo Village which expand our offering and enhance the overall tourism experience,” said Minister Bartlett in declaring it open yesterday. “As Jamaicans, we have embraced our culture wholeheartedly; we fiercely defend it and are proud to share it with the world.”

He said while Jamaica was a sun, and a sea destination “the strategic direction of my ministry is taking us to transform the sector into a product-focussed one. This is the outgrowth of a global movement towards more interactive experiential tourism. More and more visitors are seeking life experiences through travel; they want to live as locals, engaging with the people of the destination they visit, walking the streets, eating their food and dancing to their music.”

Minister Bartlett also supported a call for the restoration of the Rio Nuevo Bridge and putting it as a candidate to UNESCO to be declared an international heritage site.

Rio Nuevo Village has been in operation for the past seven years and owner, David Wilson said he invested over US$2 million to develop the attraction. Rafting and kayaking will now add to the museum, nature walk and other activities. Future plans include construction of cottages and other projects which will be supported by partners who have joined in the venture.

Development of the attraction has been given the approval by the local authorities, including the St Mary Municipal Corporation and Port Maria Mayor Richard Creary.

Wednesday’s ceremony was chaired by Burchell James and included drumming by Moustafa Reds and blowing of the conch shell by Percival Kerr.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; July 20, 2018:  The Tourism Linkages Network staged another highly successful ‘Christmas in July’ trade show yesterday (July 19), which saw a large turnout of enthusiastic patrons to view and purchase locally produced craft, gifts and souvenirs.

Some 115 local producers took part in the one-day trade show at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston under the theme “Tropical Wonderland”. The initiative encourages the purchase of authentic local products by stakeholders in the hospitality sector and corporate Jamaica looking for gifts for clients and staff.

Giving the main address, Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) Executive Director Dr. Carey Wallace said, “While we will always welcome foreign-direct and local entrepreneurial investment in tourism, our aim is to see Jamaican Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMTEs) take ownership of the service side, producing the sheets and pillow cases, the beds and chairs and the paintings on the walls.”

Dr. Wallace said this was why TEF has made J$1 billion available to the SMTE sector through the National Export-Import (EXIM) Bank for a revolving loan scheme “at the lowest rate of interest you will ever get locally”, which allows businesses to upgrade their operations.

He noted that, to date, of the one billion dollars, EXIM Bank has approved more than $663.96 million in loan requests and $470 million distributed to borrowers. Currently, loan applications totalling $248.5 million are being processed.

In his address, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Audley Shaw, said, “We cannot any longer afford to give lip service to linkages.”

The Minister said, however, “In as much as we have the problems we must recognise and give thanks for the opportunities and for those who are courageous enough to provide leadership.  He commended hoteliers Adam Stewart, Chairman of the Tourism Linkages Council, and his father Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart for buying local produce and supporting local farmers.  Last year, the Sandals chain consumed in their hotels 5.4 million pounds of produce and of that 4.9 million pounds of produce was purchased in Jamaica from local farmers.

Minister Shaw said he would be going on a crusade along with Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett to ensure that Jamaica’s hotels from near and far, including the Spanish hotel chains, include locally manufactured products in their vertical integration model.

For this year’s ‘Christmas in July’ tradeshow there were several new attractions to enhance the experience of both buyers and suppliers, including an Artisan Village, an interactive space where artisans showed their skills by producing products on site for display.

The annual event is a collaborative effort of the Tourism Linkages Network, a division of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), and its partners: the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA), Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA). 

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Thursday, July 19, 2018: In recognition of the tremendous success of the Jamaica Tourism Centre of Innovation (JCTI) and the significant role of Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett in its establishment, he has been invited by the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) to give the keynote address at its 54^th Annual General meeting.

Minister Bartlett who is the first Caribbean minister to be invited to speak at the SLHTA’s annual general meeting, left the island yesterday for St Lucia and will speak tomorrow, July 20. He returns to Jamaica on Sunday July 22.

In extending the invitation to Minister Bartlett, the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA) noted that along with member hotels, they have placed significant importance on increased training and educational opportunities for hospitality staff to keep them fired up and motivated. 

The AGM will be held under the theme: “People, Passion, Purpose and Linkages; The Pathway to a Resilient Future” which the SLHTA says, speaks to the new and exciting developments and issues being currently debated in the global tourism industry.

Minister Bartlett who has emerged globally as a strong voice for excellence in tourism through training, says, “I am very pleased to accept this invitation which will allow me to share the innovation and success of the Jamaica Tourism Centre of Innovation with our Caribbean brothers.”

He adds, “While within the region we are competing in the same marketplace, the reality is that for the most part the Caribbean is seen as one destination and so we have to be supportive of each other and ensure that collectively we offer to the travelling world, tourism service excellence that is second to none.”

Minister Bartlett says he is also pleased that the concept of Jamaica’s Tourism Linkages Network had caught the attention of other regional destinations, recognizing that people were at the heart of the industry and given a purpose for which to serve, matched by the passion for which Caribbean people are known, everyone stands to benefit.

Minister Bartlett will also be sharing with tourism partners in St Lucia, details of the Global Tourism Resilience Centre to be headquartered at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica in St Andrew as of September, this year.

Establishment of the centre was the brainchild of Minister Bartlett was adopted in the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s Montego Bay Declaration on “Jobs and Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism” held last year November at the Montego Bay Convention Center on the occasion of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017.

It has been endorsed by UNWTO Member States and Affiliate Members, tourism administrations, international and regional organizations, local communities, private sector and academia. Among these are CARICOM, the University of the West Indies, World Bank Group (WBG), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Caribbean Development Bank, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHTA), Chemonics International, and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CEDEMA) through Mr. Ronald Jackson, the George Washington University and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

Subsequently, several other tourism-based countries, including those in Asia and the Pacific group have endorsed the centre and pledged their full support.

The UNWTO’s Declaration stipulates that “Governments, private sector, donors and the international and regional organizations shall support the establishment of a Global Tourism Resilience Centre in the Caribbean, including a Sustainable Tourism Observatory, to assist destinations’ preparedness, management and recovery of crises which impact tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods.”

Minister Bartlett says all is in place for the Global Tourism Resilience Centre to start functioning in September with the official opening set for next year January as a feature of Caribbean Marketplace at the Montego Bay Convention Center.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Thursday, July 12, 2018: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, yesterday (July 11) described the Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme, which will receive $1 billion in funding from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), as the final piece in a four-point human capital development plan to enhance Jamaica’s tourism workers.

The defined compensation scheme is designed to cover all workers ages 18-59 years in the tourism sector, whether permanent, contract or self-employed.  This includes hotel workers as well as persons employed in related industries, such as craft vendors, tour operators, red cap porters, contract carriage operators and workers at attractions. Benefits will be payable at age 65 years or older.

The other three initiatives in the human capital development plan are training, capacity building and creating the ability of our people to have knowledge and convert that knowledge into practical applications; providing a pathway to professionalism and jobs; and improving the social conditions around which the tourism worker lives.

“The business of tourism with our workers is not just about taking you into the hotels and having you serve in style.  It is about how we include you in the development process,” Minister Bartlett told tourism workers at a Kingston sensitization and awareness session for the Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston.

The Tourism Minister described the Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme as an “Act of a Government and people who recognize the value of a set of workers who have been on the wrong end of equity for a long time. This plan will correct much of those inequities.”

Minister Bartlett said tourism directly employs some 117,000 workers or 8.8% of the workforce and noted plans to bring 29,000 more workers into the tourism industry by 2021.  “For that to happen, it means we are going to have to build the capacity of our people to deliver at a higher level of efficiency and to be able also to command the top positions in tourism at every level,” he said.

He cited the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Ministries of Tourism and Education, Youth and Information for a $100 million certification programme for high-school students to gain entry-level qualification in the hospitality industry. Minister Bartlett noted that, “Over the summer, 13 teachers will be specially trained to enable us to bring the first cohort of 650 students to start the programme in 30 schools across Jamaica.  This is in addition to establishing the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI), a pathway professional organization to certify the workers of the tourism sector and enable them to be able to peddle their wares and express their professionalism anywhere is the world they go because they are now certified.”

“It is the first time in the history of tourism in our country where within a single year period we are looking at the total human capacity development structure and infrastructure that takes you from high school through university into the field of competence and then straight into professional pathways within the industry,” the Tourism Minister added.

Pledging his Ministry’s commitment to improving the social conditions of tourism workers, Minister Bartlett said this year his Ministry would be spending $170 million on housing solutions for tourism workers in resort areas across the island. This project is in partnership with the Housing Authority of Jamaica (HAJ) with funding from the Tourism Enhancement Fund.  In addition, the Tourism Ministry will work with the National Housing Trust (NHT) to design a special package to help the workers in the sector access housing solutions being developed by the agency.

Minister Bartlett also pointed to work being done to improve the social infrastructure with the communities around the resort areas.   “Already this year, I have paved almost all the roads off the Elegant Corridor that lead into where the people live opposite the wonderful hotels. This is the start of a programme that will run across the island in all the resort areas and beautification will follow,” said Minister Bartlett.

Endorsing the pension scheme, Executive Director of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Camille Needham, said her organization was extremely pleased that it was now becoming a reality.  “You are essential to the sector and go above and beyond the call of duty just to ensure your guests are catered to and they leave the island with a good impression and, more importantly with a desire to return. For these reasons the conclusion must be that you, the workers, take care of tourism and tourism in turn should, in fact must, take care of you,” Mrs. Needham told the tourism workers. 

She described the pension scheme as a step in the right direction and urged “every tourism worker to participate fully in the scheme so that you will reap the benefits in your golden years.”

The Kingston sensitization session was the final of eight sessions held in major resort areas across the island to provide tourism workers with details of the pension scheme and provide them with information on how they will benefit from the compulsory contributory retirement plan.  Other session were held in Ocho Rios, Negril, Montego Bay, Port Antonio, Falmouth, Treasure Beach and Mandeville in the last four months.

MONTEGO BAY, St. James; July 8 2018:  Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett is confirming strong regional support for the establishment of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, which is expected to be operational in September of this year.

“Following a series of discussions with our partners and stakeholders, the Caribbean region has thrown its support behind the initiative. Most recently, the Caribbean Development Bank confirmed that it is fully committed to working with the Resilience Centre in terms of its establishment and the series of programmes and activities that will ensue,” said Minister Bartlett.

The Centre will be housed at the University of the West Indies, Mona, and is being designed to help vulnerable states across the world, to recover quickly from natural disasters. It will specifically target destination preparedness, management and recovery from disruptions and/or crises that threaten economies and livelihoods globally, with real time data and effective communication. 

Minister Bartlett said, “During discussions with CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General, Trade and Economic Integration, Mr. Joseph Cox, at the just concluded CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Montego Bay, we were also able to gain full endorsement of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre from every Caribbean entity that is responsible for both governance and management of sectoral interests.”

“We have already received resounding support from the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CEDEMA) through Mr. Ronald Jackson and our long standing partner, the University of the West Indies Mona,           

“Now the region is fully aligned with the Resilience Centre which augurs well in terms of our campaigning worldwide to get buy in to make it successful and a centrepiece of global intelligence, information mining and communication for resilience building of the sector within the region,” added Minister Bartlett.

The official launch of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre is scheduled for January 2019, during the Caribbean Travel Marketplace, which will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. The Centre was first announced during the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s Global Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism, held in Montego Bay last November during the International year of sustainable tourism for development as a response to political turmoil, climatic events, pandemics, shifting global economies as well as crime and violence which can be devastating to travel and tourism.

FALMOUTH, Trelawny, Friday, July 6, 2018:   The importance of safeguarding the environment was underscored by Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Dr Carey Wallace at the official opening of a computer room furnished with 27 laptops and other computer equipment valued at $2.5 million to the Holland High School on Tuesday July 3, 2018. The computer room has also been outfitted with a projector and screen with surround sound.

Dr Wallace challenged the high school students who collectively earned the reward by placing first in the recent TEF-sponsored Sustainable Destination Alliance of the Americas (SDAA) recycling competition in the Falmouth area, to become ambassadors for recycling.

“You students have a responsibility that is bigger than yourselves, because you are trying to change a pattern of behavior that’s been habitual over generations and here you are now, the enlightened ones, needing to influence your own parents, your own community to change their habits and start practicing the new habit,” he told a gathering of students and invited guests.

Reminding them that it was their country and their future that was being protected, he underscored that “it is in your interest to make sure you are ambassadors for that change, so I charge you to think beyond just the school, the competition and in your own communities and try to influence the people around you.”

Over 4,000 students from five schools participated in the Falmouth leg of the competition, with the tagline, “Go Green and Win Big” aimed at engaging children and broadening the reach of solid waste management in Falmouth. Although not using plastic bottles on its campus, led by their Tourism Action Club Coordinator Aishea Lawrence Reid, Holland High collected more than 50 percent of the total of 247 bags of plastic bottles weighing 1,694 pounds in and around their community over four weekends.

Dr Wallace who said he was very impressed by the cleanliness and ambiance of the school, the show of hospitality by students and staff, assured them that “Falmouth, and Trelawny overall, is going to be the model for Jamaica.” Having emerged as a resort town, he said much attention was being given to uplifting the infrastructure in Falmouth but money was not all and was up to the people to make it happen.

In his greeting read by Chief Executive Officer of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation, Mayor of Falmouth Collen Gager also shared the view that “Holland is a force to be reckoned with since its inception in 2004” and winning the recycling competition was just one of its many achievements.

Chairman of the Holland High School Board, Fr Carl F. Clarke lauded the positive image built up by the school with its accomplishments in such a short time, noting that the school entered the competition to do good for the community and winning was in keeping with its hallmark of excellence.

Trelawny Custos Hon Paul Muschett also commended the Ministry of Tourism for running the recycling programme and had high praises for Holland High on winning.

Support for the competition was also received from Recycle Jamaica, the Organization of American States, the Trelawny Municipal Corporation, National Solid Waste Management Authority and the Trelawny Chamber of Commerce.

With its partners, the TEF also sponsored recycling competitions in Negril and Treasure Beach and participating schools in all three areas collected a total of over 275,400 plastic bottles.

Among participants in the ceremony, moderated by Marline Stephenson Dalley, were Deputy Head Girl Keryce Dookie, Assistant Vice Principal Dale Evans and a group of students doing a medley of songs promoting the importance of recycling. Also in attendance were Manager of the Falmouth Port, Mark Hylton, Principal Pauline Reid and Board member Mark Campbell.