KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 14, 2017: The shutdown of Florida airports because of Hurricane Irma resulted in the cancellation of some 14,000 flights between the Caribbean and the southern US state, according to a tracking service FlightAware.

“Hurricane Irma severely impacted flights between Florida and the Caribbean. In fact, it had a bigger negative impact on tourist arrivals numbers over the last several days than the brief shutdown of Jamaica's airspace following a lightning strike last Friday,” said Senior Advisor/Strategist to Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, Delano Seiveright.

Noting that most of Jamaica's flights originate from the Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando international airports, amounting to roughly 14 or 15 per day, Seiveright noted, "Those cancelations since Friday have had a more serious impact as thousands of tourists fly from or connect through these hubs for American Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit and Southwest Airlines."

He added that the Florida airports are gradually coming back to normalcy as airlines scramble to get their schedules back in order.

Seiveright noted that the shutdown of the Jamaican airspace had a more significant impact "on our European flights into Montego Bay from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany and elsewhere. These are long haul 9 and 10-hour transatlantic flights and the crisis put them into a difficult position. Nonetheless, they worked through the disruptions."

He indicated that Minister Bartlett maintains hourly contact with stakeholders across the travel and aviation sectors and commended the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) for understanding the challenges and working miraculously to handle European flights out of Montego earlier this week by keeping operations open up to 11:00 p.m.

JCAA Chairman Phillip Henriques also met with Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) Chairman John Lynch, JTB Director Godfrey Dyer and Seiveright at JTB's head office in New Kingston yesterday as part of a closely coordinated communications strategy between the JCAA, the JTB and the Ministry of Tourism.

Seiveright noted, outside of Florida's airports getting back in full order, things are now approaching normality with tourists easily entering and departing the island.

Minister Bartlett is attending the 22nd Session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) General Assembly, which is being held in Chengdu, China, from September 11 to 16, 2017.

CHENGDU, China; September 19, 2017:  Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has been appointed as the coordinator of the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) newly formed Disaster Recovery Working Group for the Affected States in the Caribbean.

The programme was formed as tourism response mechanism for member states that have been recently impacted by powerful natural disasters such as hurricanes, tropical storms and earthquakes.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the newly convened recovery programme, Secretary General of the UNWTO, Taleb Rifai said, “We cannot just stand still – it is not right.  I really want to make a difference. I hope that we can leave this place with lines of action we can pursue. So, my suggestion is to formalize the group. If Minister Bartlett is okay with this, he can be in charge of getting you together.”

Virtual meetings were proposed for members from countries such as USA, Spain, Barbados, Honduras, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Haiti, Mexico, and France – who were all in attendance.

Heads of delegations provided an update on the state of their countries and expressed gratitude for this positive showing of solidarity, which will allow them to benefit from an increased pooling of resources.

“I think that the next step would be for us to connect with Caribbean Tourism Organization and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association and perhaps to do a technical visit from the UNWTO. So we three can get together to figure out the hard action we can take as we prepare for the November meeting, which will then outline a full plan of action,” said Minister Bartlett.

Secretary General Rifai lamented that he believes it is very “difficult for tourism infrastructure and stakeholders to make a difference, as the initial impact of any disaster is human relief and other activities that are not part of what we can do best.”

He did however emphasise, that help can be offered from the group in three ways.

“Firstly, we should encourage anything possible to make the recovery speedy. Secondly, communication is absolutely crucial and important. We should also concentrate on job loss and businesses lost. I think that’s as much as we can do because realistically speaking we’re not the Red Cross, we are not the International Food Programme which is what people need at this time. 

“What we can do is utilise our tourism infrastructure. For example, many of your destinations are visited by cruise ships; this is the time that we need them to pay their dues to these islands,” he explained.

The ‘UNWTO, Government of Jamaica and World Bank Group Global Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism’, scheduled for November 27-29, 2017,  was also highlighted as the ideal platform to host these discussions publicly, as well as provide an update on the status of the working group.

Mr. Rifai however shared that much work has to be done before the conference and offered to share a fulsome report with all heads of UN bodies, as they have access to resources to which the UNWTO is not privy.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, September 19, 2017: In keeping with efforts to bolster protection of the island’s environmental resources, the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) committed some J$8 million to Saturday’s (September 16) staging of International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICCD), while rallying a team of over 400 volunteers to participate in cleanup efforts across the island.

The teams, which comprised staff from TEF, the Ministry of Tourism and its other agencies as well as students, family and friends, were stationed at sites in Kingston, Ocho Rios, Trelawny, Montego Bay and sites on the South Coast.

TEF Executive Director Dr. Carey Wallace, who joined thousands of volunteers at the End of Stones site along the Palisadoes strip in Kingston, said he was pleased to see the excellent turnout, especially of young people. “We have been on board since inception and to date we have committed some $43 million to this very important environmental initiative. This hands-on experience is a powerful way to educated people about the impact of poorly handled waste on the environment. TEF is serious about protecting and preserving our natural resources and we are pleased to be partnering with JET in doing so,” Dr. Wallace said.

ICCD, which is coordinated globally by the Ocean Conservancy and locally by the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET), is aimed at building global environmental awareness. It is dubbed the “world’s biggest volunteer effort to protect the ocean,” with an estimated half million people around the world participating.  There were 150 cleanup sites across Jamaica being coordinated by 95 local groups, including service clubs, schools, public and private sector organisations, NGOs and community based organisations.  It is estimated that some 10,000 volunteers participated this year.  TEF has been the title sponsor for the local event since 2008. 

JET CEO Diane McCauley said that TEF’s involvement is important to the long haul of the programme.  Noting that improper waste disposal is a long term problem, Ms. McCauley said, “It takes time to change attitudes so we look forward to TEF’s continued support.”

The TEF also sponsors JET’s Clean Coasts Project, which seeks to increase awareness of the negative impact of poor solid waste disposal practices on our health, marine life and the environment as a whole. The project includes environmental education for adults and children along with practical strategies for tackling poor solid waste management and marine debris in Jamaica. The TEF has committed some J$114 million to this project to date.

The TEF Act speaks to the importance of encouraging proper environmental stewardship and has provided some $674 million to various environmental initiatives over the years.

Kingston, Jamaica; September 12, 2017: As part of efforts to build out the tourism sector, the Tourism Product Development Company Limited (TPDCo) recently hosted nine (9) Community Tourism Entities (CTEs) at a Jamaica Community Tourism Development workshop at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston. Under the theme “Toward Success,” the three-day workshop aimed to guide aspiring community based entrepreneurs and to assist existing community tourism executives in the further development of their businesses.

The Community Tourism training follows the completion of the Community Tourism Toolkit, which includes the “Handbook for Community Tourism Enterprises” and “Guide to obtaining a Jamaica Tourist Board Licence.” Together, the guides provide detailed information on the best practices for sustaining a CTE and the process for licensing the business. The Community Tourism Toolkit was created through the partnership of the Ministry of Tourism, the Jamaica Tourist Board, TPDCo and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

Mr. Deron Dixon, Director of Corporate Services at TPDCo, who brought greetings on behalf of the agency, said, “You have taken a bold step and your attendance shows that you are interested in growth and development. By taking advantage of trainings such as these, you are also making a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of communities, which will assist in our country’s development as we work to make our home a place where visitors can come and feel at home.”

Mrs. Joy Roberts, Deputy Executive Director of TPDCo, highlighted the importance of Community Tourism Entities and the impact they have on the tourism sector. She went on further to say that CTEs offer a unique and gratifying experience for visitors, particularly the millennials who are keen on visiting the homeland of the likes of Bob Marley and Usain Bolt.

The training exercise was led by expert tourism professionals Hugh Shim, Executive Director of Montego Bay Marine Park Trust; Judy Karwacki, owner of Small Planet Consulting; and Terry Hood, Principal of the Northshore Leadership Project; both of whose businesses are based in Vancouver, Canada.

Community Tourism is a promising aspect of tourism in Jamaica as it focuses on introducing the culture and history of Jamaica to both locals and visitors. The experience differs from the resort type vacation as it offers an educational and enriching experience. Most noteworthy however is the economic contribution to the local communities as individuals are able to gain employment through these businesses. 

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Monday, September 11, 2017:  KINGSTON, Jamaica, Sunday, September 10, 2017:  Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has leveraged his position as Chairman of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) Board of Affiliate Members to appeal for aid for Caribbean islands recently devastated by Hurricane Irma.

Irma, the most powerful Atlantic hurricane in recorded history last week left a path of death and destruction across the Leeward Islands and the Northern Caribbean.

Bartlett noted that aid will most likely come from the UNWTO Sustainable Tourism - Eliminating Poverty Initiative (ST-EP) Foundation, which promotes poverty alleviation through the provision of assistance to sustainable development projects in developing countries.

While expressing deep sympathies to the people of the Caribbean impacted by Hurricane Irma, Minister Bartlett thanked the UNWTO for pledging to assist in rebuilding the tourism industry in the affected countries. “We are all a part of the regional tourism family, so it is important that we are willing to help each other in times of need. This week I will be in Chengdu, China, along with over a thousand tourism officials from around the world, for the 22^nd Session of the UNWTO General Assembly and I plan to use the opportunity to appeal to my colleague Affiliate Members for further assistance to affected countries,” said Minister Bartlett.

“Many of the islands devastated by the hurricane are heavily dependent on tourism.  It is important that we assist in any way possible to help them to rebuild the sector,” Bartlett further shared.

Meanwhile, Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the UNWTO, called for an emergency meeting to discuss the impact of recent hurricanes on the travel and tourism industry and the future of tourism Caribbean member nations. He passed on, “heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims and stands ready to support the affected countries, where tourism is a pillar in the lives of so many people, to recover as swiftly as possible.”

Kingston, Jamaica: September 08, 2017….The Tourism Product Development Company Limited (TPDCo), the agency with responsibility for managing the Rio Grande Attraction in Portland, has implemented a new ninety-minute rafting trip on the world-famous Rio Grande River, in addition to the  legacy  trip of  two or three hours.

The new route, which becomes available September 18, is for individuals who wish to enjoy a shorter version of the sought after experience.

The new short route will begin at Rafter’s Rest and end at Shotover. This new starting point will eliminate the need for persons to be escorted from Rafter’s Rest to the previous starting point at Berrydale.

Rio Grande, which is known as the birthplace of rafting in Jamaica, has maintained its status as a premier rafting experience for visitors and locals to Portland. Located approximately 108 km or 2 hours and 15 minutes from either Ocho Rios or Kingston, an excursion of this nature offers a relaxing and tranquil contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city.

The slow scenic tour of the Rio Grande is led by licensed raft captains who are trained in First Aid and CPR, and possess excellent swimming capabilities. Additionally, the River Rafting Authority and other Government agencies ensure that all laws and regulations are observed for a seamless and exhilarating experience.

Refreshments and Craft Items are also on sale at Rafter’s Rest.

For further information and bookings, visit the Rio Grande Attraction at Rafter’s Rest in St. Margaret’s Bay, Portland. Tel: (876) 993-5778 or Email rgrande@cwjamaica.com

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 3, 2017: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has expressed deep sadness at the passing of Pablo Piñero, the president and founder of the Grupo Piñero company – which includes mega-hotel Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts.

“On behalf of the Government of Jamaica, I offer my condolences to the family and friends of Pablo Piñero. The tourism industry across the globe has certainly suffered an extreme loss and I am sure I speak for all industry leaders across the globe, when I share how very grateful we are for the invaluable contribution he has made to the development of the sector,” said Minister Bartlett.

The 76-year-old was fundamental in Grupo Piñero becoming one of the largest and most influential Spanish hotel chains in the world, with properties in Jamaica, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Spain.  The company also manages over five million hotel stays per year, has 26 four- and five-star hotels totalling 11,000 rooms and employs around 10,000 people.

The Minister described Pablo Piñero as an outstanding entrepreneur and a global icon in the tourism and hospitality industry.

“He was an exemplary gentleman whose passion and zeal for excellence in hospitality is unmatched. I am truly happy that his company invested so heavily in Jamaica. The Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts resulted in job creation for thousands of Jamaicans. It has also helped to strengthen the global appeal of brand Jamaica by expanding the hotel offerings in the island and significantly impacting the room count,” said the Minister.  

Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts opened in Runaway Bay, St Ann, in 2007, and is now one of the largest hotels in Jamaica with an impressive room-count of over 1300. 

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 30, 2017: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has disclosed that the country earned a record US$2 Billion during the first eight months of this calendar year from 2.8 million visitors. 

The figure represents an increase of 8.3 percent in gross foreign exchange earnings than the US$1.83 billion earned last year over the same period. In addition, cruise passenger arrivals were up 5.1 percent for the same period.

“My mission is to enhance the retention of the dollar from this US$2 Billion. In fact, the latest report from the World Travel & Tourism Council indicates that the retention of the dollar, from the consumption side has risen to 70 percent. The Tourism Linkages Council is going to drive that value added that is needed to take the retention levels in Jamaica from 30 cents to at least 50 cents, for the total dollar that is spent,” said Minister Bartlett.

He also highlighted that direct contribution from tourism to the GDP at the moment is 8.4 percent but the induced and indirect contribution is now 27.2 percent. So tourism remains one of the few labour intensive sectors and directly employs 106,000 Jamaicans while generating indirect jobs for one in four persons, linked to sectors such as agriculture, creative and cultural industries, manufacturing, and construction.

The Tourism Minister was speaking at the press briefing to report on the year-old TEF/EXIM Bank Small Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMTE) Loan Facility, at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on August 30, 2017.

According to reports received from the EXIM Bank, as at August 29, 2017, they have received twenty-eight completed loan applications, totalling J$509.9 million, under the SMTE loan programme. 

“The excellent response of SMTEs to the loan facility is proof that it is welcomed and well needed. Operators of SMTEs, who access up to $25 million dollars at 5 percent interest, over 5 years, will now be able to better respond to the demands of our thriving tourism sector,” said the Minister.

Twenty-two applications totalling J$408.9 million have also been approved with disbursements to date (August 30, 2017) totalling J$311.16 million, exceeding the initial tranche of J$300 million received for disbursement. 

It is anticipated that the remaining approvals will be disbursed in short order.  Six applications totalling J$101 million are being processed, which will bring total approvals in excess of J$500 million.

These applications fall in the following approved categories: Attractions (J$84.50 million); Small Accommodations (J$105 million); Gastronomy (J$25 million); Linkages (J$32 million); Shopping (J$30 million); Manufacturing (J$47.5 million); Services (J$48.4); Spa & Wellness (J$12.5 million); Domestic tours and Car rentals (J$125 million).

“Over the last year this loan has enabled the continuation of the growth of tourism as a discreet sector. I am able to say to you today, that the industry has expanded by 36 percent over the last ten years. That compares favourably to the overall economy itself that has expanded by only 6 percent over the same period. So tourism has grown six times the rate of growth of the GDP,” said the Minister.

The loan facility was launched last September, with a commitment of $1 billion from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) to provide well-needed loans to small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs) to boost the sustainable growth of the industry.  

TEF presented EXIM Bank with the first tranche of J$300 million last September and during today’s launch, which marks the second phase of the loan, TEF provided another tranche of J$350 million towards the further development of the programme.

“The impact of building these underpinnings is creating greater expenditures – that is, the tourist is spending more in the country because we have more to offer them.   It is important to note that building the capacity to provide more of what the tourists require when they get here is to build out the production and enable the consumption patterns of the tourist, to favour the retention of the dollar in our destination,” said the Minister.

In closing, Minister Bartlett urged financial institutions to do more to support small businesses so they can better equipped to respond to the demands of the tourism sector. 

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 24, 2017:  Online marketplace and hospitality service Airbnb has committed approximately J$8.3 million to the Government of Jamaica, towards the staging of the UNWTO, GOJ, World Bank Group Conference on Jobs & Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism.

This makes the mega-technology company the first platinum sponsor for the conference, which is scheduled for November 27-29, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St. James.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett welcomed the sponsorship, sharing that it will strengthen the projected impact the conference will have on the future of Jamaica’s tourism sector.

“This conference will not only be the single biggest international tourism event ever held on local soil but is also going to be one of the most important events that is held in the country’s history.  I am so happy to have Airbnb on board and look forward to working with them on a number of different projects which I am certain will benefit the people of Jamaica in the near future,” said Minister Bartlett.

Airbnb’s Regional Director for Central America and the Caribbean, Shawn Sullivan, gave the commitment to Minister Bartlett during a meeting at his company’s California headquarters on August 23, 2017.

“Today was an excellent day for Airbnb. It was another step in us solidifying and making more prominent, our relationship with the Government of Jamaica.  Airbnb sees Jamaica as a premier destination in the Caribbean and in the world,” said Mr. Sullivan.

Airbnb is a trusted community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book unique accommodations around the world online. It connects people to unique travel experiences, at any price point, in more than 34,000 cities and 191 countries.

The market for Airbnb in Jamaica is rapidly growing and is extremely lucrative. Their web site currently boasts thousands of active hosts and active listings locally. Jamaica also welcomed upwards of 32,000 visitors via Airbnb last year, benefitting many communities across the island, including Trench Town in Kingston, and generating income for many homeowners.

The Minister is currently in California, where he is also expected to engage in strategic meetings with American technology mega-companies Google, LinkedIn Corporation and Uber Technologies Inc.

The meetings are in tandem with two of the five strategic pillars of the Ministry – building new products and fostering new partnerships; and will also be used to promote the UNWTO, GOJ, World Bank Group Conference on Jobs & Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism, scheduled for November 27 – 29, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. 

He is joined by Senior Advisor/ Communication Strategist, Delano Seiveright and Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to Los Angeles, Lorna Mae Johnson. He is expected to return to the island on August 27, 2017.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 22, 2017:  Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is to collaborate with the Government of Jamaica in the staging United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Government of Jamaica and World Bank Group Conference on Jobs & Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism, being held in November at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St. James.

During his recent trip to London, Bartlett met with the WTTC’s Senior Vice-President of Government and Industry Affairs, Helen Marano, who expressed strong collaborative support for the historic conference.  This is in tandem with widening global support for the conference from major international institutions such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.

According to Minister Bartlett, one of key expected outcomes from this global conference is the Montego Bay Declaration. “At the end of the conference, there will be the compilation of the Draft Montego Bay Declaration. From this will flow an action plan for tourism destinations to follow, as well as the publication of the second volume of the UNWTO Global Report on Public Private Partnerships,” explained the Minister.

The Conference will also incorporate a presentation of the Caribbean Legends Awards, the first of its kind, which will be a collaborative effort involving Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), supported by UNWTO. These awards, in the categories of Land, Sea and Air, will be given to individuals that have made an indelible mark on the tourism industry, not just regionally, but globally, enhancing the Caribbean brand.

November’s global conference will also seek to identify successful models and future partnership initiatives that will contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the publication of the second UNWTO Affiliate Members Global Report on Public-Private-Partnerships.

“I am proud of the strong partnership we have had with the WTTC, in particular, over the years.  They are the movers and shakers in the travel and tourism industry and I am positive that when the details of this collaboration are finalized it will   strengthen Jamaica’s presence as a tourism powerhouse on the global stage,” said Minister Bartlett.

The WTTC is an international organization that brings together all major Travel & Tourism stakeholders, including presidents, chairs and CEOs of over 150 of the world’s foremost companies spanning hotels, airlines, airports, tour operators, cruise, car rental, travel agents, rail and the emergent sharing economy.