Archives for October 2022

Enoteca Paco Pérez, celebrated 2-Michelin starred restaurant at Hotel Arts Barcelona, launched a collection of exquisite culinary offerings.

Ushering in the new season and steeped in the spirit of gastronomic innovation and passion for exceptional produce, three new menus at Hotel Arts Barcelona are seasonal, rice-centric, and truffle-based – reflecting the breadth of Chef Paco Pérez’s artistic imagination and culinary talent.

In his new Seasonal Tasting Menu available from Wednesday to Saturday for dinner only, Chef Paco invites guests to savour traditional Mediterranean flavours that celebrate the freshness of the sea and the essence of seasonal farm and mountain products. Embracing the cosiness that comes with the cooler season, Chef Paco focuses on aromas and flavours that evoke a sense of returning from a crisp coastal or forest walk to enjoy a hearty meal by the fireplace.

The tasting menu, priced at 196€ per person, opens with a flavourful forest consommé served with autumn cake to whet the appetite for a starter of cod skin and fig and almond bread. Impeccably sourced fish and seafood are the stars of the next three courses: koji-cured red mullet served with sea cucumber, beurre blanc and garum; slow-cooked prawns withboletus, squid nigiri and truffled spaghetti; and perfectly flaky sea bass dressed with black tea and tangy marine escabechesauce.

Michelin-Starred Gastronomic Experiences

A dish of succulent aged pigeon with chestnuts and corn is followed by an escalivada of figs, fig tree leaf and nuts, while a set of delightful autumnal petit fours completes the Michelin-starred experience. Guests can choose to pair their seasonal tasting menu with any of the 700 exclusive wines from Enoteca’s cellar.

Available for lunch on Sundays, the new El Arroz de Paco experience – priced at 95€ per person – is an opportunity to sample a variety of inventive dishes that celebrate the versatility of rice. After a forest consommé with a savoury autumn cake, guests will be served a pre-starter inspired by a typical Italian pesto base made with parmesan, pine nuts and basil, followed by prawns in fricandó and creamy Ou de Reig rice cooked with coastal crayfish and Brussel sprouts. For the closing act, Chef Paco chose a tempting dessert starring aromatic peaches from the latest harvest, as well as delicate petit fours.

Celebrating the delicious wild mushrooms in their natural perfection, the White Truffle Menu will showcase precious tubers sourced from Piedmont, Italy’s famous truffle region and home of the world’s most expensive culinary treasure – white truffle. Perfumed with an unmistakable scent, the white truffle from Alba is the most desired for its unforgettable flavour and, being available only once a year, is extremely rare. With Chef Paco’s White Truffle Menu, guests have a unique opportunity to sample a collection of seasonal rice and fish dishes bursting with earthy, woodsy flavours of the truffle and packing a surprise in each bite.

The highlights of this umami-rich experience from Chef Paco are a streamlined boletus truffle tartlet; silky mushroom velouté with shrimps and truffle shavings; sea cucumber dressed with beurre blanc, garum and truffle; creamy Ou de Reig truffle rice; and smoked sea bass served with autumn sprouts and truffle. Available for dinner only between 26 October and 19 November 2022, the White Truffle Menu can be experienced from Wednesday to Saturday at 295€ per person (130€ with optional wine pairing.)

To learn more about Enoteca Paco Pérez, please click here. For additional information about Hotel Arts Barcelona or to make a reservation, please click here.

About Paco Pérez

Born in Huelva and raised in Llançà, chef Paco Pérez credits his passion for cooking back to the formative days learning the ropes in his family’s tapas bar. From that springboard, he embarked on a spectacular career that saw him train under the industry’s finest. In France, he learned from three Michelin-starred chef Michel Guèrard, one of the forefathers of the Nouvelle Cuisine; in Catalonia, he revelled in the creativity of Ferrán Adrià while working with him in El Bulli. Chef Paco’s first restaurant, Miramar, that he opened in Llançà with his wife Montse Serra, displayed a winning combination of inquisitive spirit and deep respect for expertise and team work, bringing the venue two Michelin stars. His international projects, ranging from 5-Cinco by Paco Pérez in Berlin to Tast Cuina Catalana in Manchester, speak not only of the celebrated chef’s global ambitions, but also of his commitment to constantly push himself professionally and creatively.

About Hotel Arts Barcelona

Hotel Arts Barcelona boasts stunning panoramic views from its unique location on the waterfront, in the heart of the city’s Port Olímpic neighbourhood. Designed by renowned architect Bruce Graham, Hotel Arts features 44 floors of exposed glass and steel, making it a prominent feature of Barcelona’s skyline. The waterfront hotel’s 455 rooms and 28 exclusive The Penthouses feature sleek, modern design complemented by an impressive 20th century collection of works by contemporary Catalan and Spanish artists. Hotel Arts is one of the premier culinary destinations in Barcelona with 2 Michelin-starred Enoteca helmed by the illustrious, 5 Michelin-starred chef Paco Perez. Guests seeking a serene escape may enjoy signature treatments by renowned Spanish skin-care brand Natura Bisse overlooking the Mediterranean Sea at 43 The Spa. Recognized as one of the top business hotels in Spain, Hotel Arts provides over 3,000 square-feet of function space overlooking the Mediterranean in Arts 41, for board meetings and conferences as well as social events, weddings and celebrations. The hotel offers an additional 24,000 square-feet of function space, with the main meeting space located on the lower ground and second floors. For more information, please click here. 

MEDIA CONTACT:  Hwee Peng Yeo, Executive VP, Glodow Nead Communications, US: 415-394-6500, [email protected]

Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett sent his congratulations to Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association on their 60th anniversary.

The minister‘s representative delivered congratulatory remarks at the anniversary gala dinner held on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort in Montego Bay.

Here is what he said at the celebratory event:

The year 1961 was notable for many reasons. It was the year that Jamaica seceded from the Federation of the West Indies following a referendum; the Little Theatre, home of Jamaica’s vibrant performing arts culture, opened its doors; we welcomed a total of 293, 899 visitors to our inviting shores; and the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA) was established.

This evening, as we celebrate JHTA’s 60th anniversary (notwithstanding the one-year pandemic-induced delay), we cannot overstate the JHTA’s monumental role in the successful development of Jamaica’s tourism industry. Sixty years is a remarkable milestone for any organization; however, sixty years of business success is a laudable triumph.

I am delighted to have this opportunity to address this distinguished audience as you celebrate your Diamond Anniversary. This evening, however, I am standing in the very large shoes of our Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett who very much wanted to be here but had to acquiesce to the demands of his office. Nevertheless, he sends his best wishes.

On behalf of the Minister, our Ministry and its public bodies, I take this opportunity to extend heartfelt congratulations to the membership of the JHTA on the achievement of this significant milestone.  We are proud to have had you as an invaluable tourism partner over the decades, during both good and turbulent times.

They say that when tough times come, you know who your true friends really are.  As we emerge scathed but more resilient on the other side of the two-year COVID-19 pandemic, we know for sure we have a strong and committed partner in the JHTA.

Our partnership took on a new dimension during the pandemic. The unceasing work and collaborative efforts as well as the fact that together we were able to create a smooth transition from the zero position at the outset of the pandemic to a bearable position during the crisis and now to a growth position that is putting us ahead of the curve and, arguably, ahead of the entire Caribbean in terms of the economic recovery, speaks to success in unity of purpose.

Together, we confronted our challenges, turning them into opportunities. We worked together to put in place proactive measures and guidelines – from our innovative Resilient Corridors to stringent health and safety protocols – that ensure a tourism product that is safe, attractive and economically viable for our workers, communities, visitors and tourism stakeholders.

It was a period when we met almost every day and we were in constant dialogue. This is something we have never seen in the industry. In the process we created many innovative steps that positioned Jamaica well in the international tourism industry – not only as a safe vacation destination but also as a thought leader in resilience and recovery in the tourism space.

So, what does this tell us?

Collaboration and strategic partnerships are fundamental to business success. Nowhere is that more relevant than in tourism, which is a vast ecosystem of dynamically interconnected businesses.

Tourism is a multi-dimensional activity, which touches many lives and interfaces with various sectors, such as agriculture, the creative and cultural industries, manufacturing, transportation, finance, electricity, water, construction and other services. I often describe tourism as a series of moving parts – individuals, businesses, organizations and places – that converge to create a seamless experience that visitors buy and destinations sell.

The JHTA has been a champion partner in making the recovery possible. This united front has allowed the sector to rebound much faster than initially anticipated. Jamaica quickly became one of the world’s fastest-recovering countries and the Caribbean’s fastest-growing tourism destination.  I wish to thank in a special way Mr. Reader and his hard-working team for the important role they played in the recovery process. 

Additionally, by extension, our unity of purpose has also helped to drive the recovery of the national economy, which is a very good thing because as I noted previously so many people and entities depend on tourism for their livelihoods.

This is underscored by the Planning Institute of Jamaica’s (PIOJ) April to June 2022 Quarterly Report, which indicates that tourism continues to drive Jamaica’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery. The economy grew by 5.7% during the quarter, compared with the same period in 2021, with the tourism and hospitality sector contributing substantially.

According to the PIOJ, the Real Value Added for Hotels & Restaurants grew by an estimated 55.4%, reflecting a sharp increase in visitor arrivals from all main source markets. In addition, length of stay is back to the 2019 levels of 7.9 nights while, more importantly, the average spend per visitor has increased from US$168 per night to US$182 per person per night. This is a clear indication of the resilience of our tourism sector.

Arrival figures from the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) signal that the sector is proving this resilience as we surpass pre-pandemic performance. Despite the COVID-19 fallout, Jamaica has earned US$5.7 billion since reopening its borders in June 2020. The data also shows that the island welcomed over five million visitors over the same period.

Overall, 2022 is proving to be a record year for arrivals. Our numbers continue to grow, and October is also shaping up to be another record-breaking month. For the first three weeks of October 2019 visitor arrivals totalled 113,488. The number nosedived as a result of COVID-19 to 27,849 in 2020 and began to show recovery with 72,203 in 2021. I am pleased to disclose that preliminary figures for those first three weeks in October this year show visitor arrivals of 123,514, topping those for 2019 by some 10,026. I expect the number to be even more impressive when the cruise numbers are tallied.

These figures underscore the unified commitment of all stakeholders to putting our best foot forward and innovating in the marketplace to come out better on the other side of two years of disruption.

While, due to the pandemic, we had updated our growth targets to achieve five million visitors, five billion dollars in earnings and five thousand new rooms by 2025, based on current performance, we are projected to meet these targets ahead of our timeline.

However, despite our recent successes, we must continue to deepen synergies to innovate and solve complex pandemic-related challenges that are still affecting the tourism sector, such as supply chain disruptions that are not only impacting goods and services but also human capital.

The new architecture for Jamaica’s tourism continues to be guided by our Blue Ocean Strategy, which is playing a leading role in revitalizing the sector.

It calls for the creation of business models that depart from traditional ones based on competition and standardization.

Instead, we have shifted our strategic focus to one of enhanced value creation through product differentiation and diversification. Specifically, we are opening up new markets and capturing uncontested market space instead of going down the well-trodden path and competing in saturated markets.

We are identifying and establishing innovative policies, programmes and standards that assure our visitors a safer, secure and seamless experience while building out a new tourism model based on a diverse portfolio of unique and authentic attractions and activities, which draw heavily on Jamaica’s natural and cultural assets. 

At the same time, this strategic approach is helping to boost revenue, resilience, inclusiveness and product quality. It includes:

• Expanding markets and go-to-market channels
• Developing new tourism products
• Expanding our community tourism focus
• Maximizing linkages across all local industries
• Promoting resilience and sustainability, and
• Putting added emphasis on destination assurance

Other initiatives that are contributing to our new push for a more vibrant and inclusive industry include:

• Training and building the capacity of our people to respond to an ever-evolving industry. Already, through our human capital development arm, the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI), we have certified thousands of industry workers across the island and provided them with new opportunities.
• Providing technical and financial support for Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMTEs), which contribute invaluably to the authenticity and totality of the visitor experience. Just last month, the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) launched the much-anticipated Tourism Innovation Incubator to help nurture new and start-up tourism enterprises that will provide innovative products, services and ideas to boost the competitiveness of our tourism sector.
• Creating an encouraging investment climate to help build out this new-look tourism product. Tourism investments have contributed to 20% of Jamaica’s total Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) over the last four years. Furthermore, new and existing investors are set to spend close to US$2 billion to add new rooms to Jamaica’s tourism product over the next five to ten years. This will result in the addition of 8,500 new rooms and more than 24,000 new part-time and full-time jobs, as well as at least 12,000 jobs for construction workers. 
• Also, we will be undertaking major transformational projects in the sector, e.g., the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s (TEF) $1-billion project to develop Montego Bay’s ‘Hip Strip’ into an iconic attraction starting in April 2023.

These are just a few examples of how we plan to pivot for tourism dominance while boosting economic growth, improving livelihoods and creating jobs.

We are still in the embryonic stages of building out the Blue Ocean Strategy but we believe it will force us to push the boundaries of our tourism industry so we can offer our visitors unique experiences of immense value. 

Simultaneously, it will ensure that inclusive recovery becomes a reality by ensuring our diligent tourism workers are equipped to seize the opportunities at all levels of the sector; incorporating our partners in the various segments of the industry that are drivers of the visitor experience and providing the opportunity for new players to enter the tourism arena along different areas of the supply chain, while ensuring profitability continues for our hoteliers. 

To this extent, we can make tourism the driver of the nation’s economy in a real and more meaningful way on the basis of merit, equity and access.

In closing, I must thank Mr. Reader for the excellent job he has done over the last two years as JHTA President. He has been a firm leader who has used his platform to lobby effectively for his members as well as to help keep the industry afloat in one of the most challenging times in our history.

I also extend my heartiest congratulations to the incoming JHTA President Robin Russell. I am confident that with your experience, insight and commitment to innovation you will have a successful tenure.

As you embark on your new journey as leader of this noble organization, the Ministry of Tourism stands ready to assist you and your team at the JHTA in any way that we can. We look forward to continuing the excellent partnership between our two institutions as we work together to create a sector that provides real prospects for enduring and inclusive economic growth and development.

MEDIA CONTACT: Corporate Communications Division, Ministry of Tourism, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Telephone: 920-4924, Fax: 920-4944 – OR – Kingsley Roberts, Senior Director, Corporate Communications, Ministry of Tourism, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, ext.: 5990, Cell: (876) 505-6118, Fax: 920-4944

At the Jamaica Hotel and Tourism Association (JHTA) meeting, Jamaica Tourism Minister sat down for an informative Fireside Chat.

Question 1: Even more so than before sustainability is front and center of all talk in the travel industry. How encouraged are you by the actions taken by the big players – government and private sector in the Travel Industry? Are you convinced it’s more than rhetoric and green washing?

Hon. Minister Bartlett: Sustainability must be wired into the core of the global tourism and travel ecosystem. This requires increased commitment and investments among players and stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry to respond to threats such as  resource scarcity, climate change and global warming, natural disasters, biodiversity loss, marine and coastal degradation, culture and heritage erosion and high energy cost.

Unfortunately, the tourism and travel industry, with its emphasis on hospitality, customer satisfaction and providing memorable experiences, has traditionally exemplified excessive patterns of resource use and  consumption that, in many respects, have undermined sustainability. Admittedly, among other resources, the tourism industry generally uses substantial amounts of energy for providing comfort and services to its guests, typically with a low level of energy-efficiency.

Energy supply, vital for the tourism industry, is still dominated by oil products which increases a country’s vulnerability to the environmental impact of fossil-fuel use, as well as to oil price volatility, which makes it difficult for the industry to remain competitive. Currently, the global tourism industry is held responsible for five to eight percent of all global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including flights, maritime and land transport, hotel construction and operation, and air conditioning and heating.

To a great extent, among many destinations, the economic benefits of tourism remain narrowly concentrated among big businesses, for example large hotels, manufacturers and suppliers. There is therefore a clear need for more strategies and initiatives that encourage deepened linkages and participation of local economies in the value chain.

Additionally, marine and coastal ecosystems remain significantly threatened by tourism development. The areas that attract tourists have been coming under increasing pressure from the damage and pollution caused by tourist facilities and the supporting infrastructure. At the same time, the impacts of climate change, overfishing and other unsustainable practices, and even some marine tourism activities damage marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs that are vital to maintaining ecological diversity and regulating climate.

Admittedly, there has been some progress with respect to the greater use of renewables, recycling, smart energy technologies, digitalization and automation and the growth of sustainable tourism segments such as ecotourism, health and wellness tourism and culture and heritage tourism.

However, the pace of transitioning to a more sustainable tourism model must be accelerated. The key challenge is now how to make the tourism growth model more compatible with the quality of life of local communities as well as the preservation of rapidly depleting natural ecosystems and resources. This calls for the designing of integrated policies—with the participation of the private sector, government and local communities—to identify priority areas for promoting sustainability, designing and incentivizing strategies for achieving targets and being able to monitor and hold parties accountable for outcomes.

Question 2: Climate change is having a huge impact on the livelihoods of particularly less developed tourism economies and communities – how are you helping them? The marine life, coral reefs and oceans are in many places in desperate straits – how is that being tackled?

Hon. Minister Bartlett: the leading existential threat facing the tourism industry, especially within the context of island destinations is climate change. From the perspective of my own country, the Jamaican tourism industry is very climate sensitive, and, like most Caribbean islands, Jamaica’s tourism product is coastal, centred on “sun, sea and sand.” The island is therefore susceptible to many risks posed by climate change, including sea level rise and extreme events, with resultant impacts such as beach erosion, flooding, saline intrusion into aquifers and general coastal degradation.

In general, climate change and global warming are the most urgent threats to global tourism; impacting all dimensions of an attractive tourism product- sand, sea, sun, food and people. Climate change is associated with both direct and indirect threats to the sector including food insecurity, water shortages, extreme heat, severe hurricanes, beach erosion, biodiversity loss, critical infrastructure collapse, safety concerns and increasing insurance costs.

Climate change constitutes a major threat to coastal and marine tourism, which is the backbone of Small Island states, accounting for a quarter of the total economy, and a fifth of all jobs in the Caribbean alone. In particular, climate change impacts are undermining the health of coastal and marine ecosystems, which serve as vital sources of food, income, trade and shipping, minerals, energy, water supply, recreation and tourism for island economies.

Based on the context outlined, the tourism industry needs to urgently prioritize climate change adaptation. There needs to be greater commitment and more concrete actions to realign tourism with the visions of the green and blue economies. This requires an enhanced thrust among tourism stakeholders to reduce the carbon footprint of the sector and to make coastal and ocean-based tourism more sustainable; supporting ecosystem regeneration and biodiversity conservation. To promote a sustainable ocean economy and pushback against the various threats to healthy coastal and marine ecosystems, ‘Ocean Action’ is urgently required as ocean health continues to decline rapidly.

As its main strategy for building sustainable ocean economies, which are economic models that promote effective protection, sustainable resource use and production and equitable prosperity simultaneously, the Ocean Panel, comprising of 16 world leaders, has already set the ambitious target of achieving 100% sustainable management of the ocean areas under national jurisdictions.

Overall, climate change adaptation will depend crucially on more conscious, deliberate and mutually-designed efforts to accelerate the shift to more sustainable and environmentally-friendly patterns of production, energy, consumption and construction that balance the importance of environmental sustainability with the economic benefits of tourism.

Question 3: How are local communities being assisted in having a greater stake and reward from this multi-billion-dollar industry?

Hon. Minister Bartlett: Tourism stakeholders in government and the private sector must deepen collaborations to explore new and innovative strategies to boost and expand the vast economic opportunities that can be generated both directly and indirectly from tourism and tourism-related activities. This will address the lingering concern that tourism development has failed to forge robust economic linkages with local communities and populations. Overall, it is crucial to clearly identify areas where viable opportunities exist for the increased consumption of goods and services in the tourism industry that can be supplied by local communities to plug the phenomenon of leakage.

Tourism stakeholders are encouraged to roll out comprehensive community tourism policies and strategies to foster an invigorated tourism sector in communities that enrich community quality of life through social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits, exemplify sustainable livelihoods, and strengthen national policy values and interests. These goals are to be accomplished through the identification of strategies consistent with a partnership approach, reflecting the call for inclusiveness by ensuring that governments, communities, NGOs and the private sector collaborate effectively to expand the economic benefits of tourism to local communities.

Consistent with this thrust, in Jamaica the Tourism Linkages Network was established in 2013 to increase the consumption of goods and services that can be competitively sourced locally; to  coordinate policies and strategies to strengthen linkages with other sectors of the economy particularly the entertainment, agricultural and manufacturing sectors; to  strengthen the benefits derived from the industry by local residents and communities; promote broader participation by nationals and to facilitate opportunities for better networking, information-sharing and communication across sectors.

In 2016 we also initiated – The National Community Tourism Portal, which has been an excellent marketing tool designed to help local community-based tourism enterprises keep pace with the competition.

It has done this by: building awareness of community tourism in Jamaica; providing comprehensive and engaging information on Jamaica’s community tourism product; providing an easy means for making community tourism bookings; and providing Community Based Tourism Enterprises (CBTEs) with affordable and cost-effective e-marketing services.

The Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) also conducts tourism awareness activities and provides technical assistance on ecotourism, Bed & Breakfast (B&B), agro-tourism, cultural heritage tourism, and art and craft development projects.

Question 4: A sceptic may argue one of the biggest changes that needs to be achieved are the CO2 emitting passenger plane journeys to places like the Caribbean and the food miles in importing food and other essentials from many miles away – is that being addressed?

Hon. Minister Bartlett: Currently, transportation fuels (gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel) are among the primary energy-consuming sectors in the world. There is no doubt that the travel industry contributes significantly to global CO2 emissions levels, relative to the size of the industry. While Caribbean economies rely enormously on the travel and tourism industry, they are also in the unfortunate position of being among global economies that are most disproportionately impacted by climate change and global warming. This underscores the conflict of interest that the region is normally faced with.

It is a delicate balance that has to be manoeuvred strategically. One way of looking at it is accepting that airplanes are manufactured in the industrialized economies, which means that the shift to energy-efficiency  needs to begin taking place at the design phase. Regional and international tourism bodies and authorities must use all fora available to stress the importance of the commitment of the airplane manufacturing industry to energy-efficient design.

We can also think about how we might introduce reasonable sanctions and rewards for airlines based on their commitment to particular targets/goals designed to promote environmental sustainability. In terms of the excessive reliance on food and equipment imported from distant markets, the thrust obviously is for more of these inputs to be sourced directly from the various points of arrival and departures, rather than from a few selected markets. Again, this must be something that is industry-led with consultations with key external stakeholders.

MEDIA CONTACT: Corporate Communications Division, Ministry of Tourism, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Telephone: 920-4924, Fax: 920-4944 – OR – Kingsley Roberts, Senior Director, Corporate Communications, Ministry of Tourism, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, ext.: 5990, Cell: (876) 505-6118, Fax: 920-4944

Jamaica Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett has lauded the newly-elected President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA).

Commits to Continued Support of the JHTA

Hotelier Robin Russell was named as the new President, and Minister Bartlett thanked both Russell and Immediate Past President Clifton Reader for their strong support of initiatives behind the successful recovery of the tourism industry from the devastating fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the same time, Minister Bartlett has committed the continued support of his ministry to the JHTA. Speaking on the heels of yesterday’s JHTA Annual General Meeting at the Hilton Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Mr. Bartlett expressed his “deepest and strongest appreciation” to the newly-elected president. He stated that Mr. Russell, who is the proprietor of Deja Resort in Montego Bay, has been a long-standing entrepreneur and has done exceptionally well in the industry.

“He has also championed the cause of the industry as chairman of the Montego Bay Chapter (of the JHTA) and has gained the respect and the admiration of his peers to the extent of being now elevated to president of this very prestigious organization,” Minister Bartlett noted.

He further stated that:

“The government and the Ministry of Tourism wish to embrace his election and to offer him the fullest support so that he can succeed as the others have before him, and in his own way make his mark and excel in the way that we know he is quite capable.”

“We look forward to working with you and the rest of the team as together we complete this recovery stronger and better,” the tourism minister committed.

Turning his attention to Mr. Reader, Minister Bartlett thanked him “for the truly outstanding job he did as president during the most difficult period in the history of tourism in Jamaica and arguably the world.”

Mr. Reader, who served consecutive terms as president, was a critical partner along with the JHTA in the creation of a Resilient Corridor and implementation of health and safety protocols for the sector developed by the Ministry of Tourism in conjunction with the Ministry of Health & Wellness. “The recovery that Jamaica has been able to achieve is in no small measure attributable to Clifton Reader’s leadership in the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association during the period,” declared Mr. Bartlett.

He further commended Mr. Reader, stating that “his tenacity, assiduity to duty, his knowledge of the industry and his willingness to share thoughts and consult, and to really walk with a team has really made him a truly remarkable player during the difficult two and a half years of COVID-19 in Jamaica.”

Mr. Reader was thanked publicly “for the excellent work that he did” and wished well in his new capacity as he takes on new leadership in his organization – that of vice president of Palace Resorts Jamaica.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Tel: (876) 920-4926-30

Or

Kingsley Roberts

Senior Director, Corporate Communications

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Tel: 920-4926-30, ext.: 5990

Cell: (876) 505-6118

Fax: 920-4944

Opening May 24, 2022, Sandals Dunn’s River will be the most iconic resort in the heart of Ocho Rios with a magical allure.

On the north coast of Jamaica, rivers meander through forests, and rushing waterfalls wash over the landscape. In this secluded spot filled with the Earth’s abundance, love flows naturally. Hand-picked by Sandals founder, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, for its pristine beach and its close distance to Jamaica’s spectacular natural wonder – Sandals Dunn’s River returns to the Sandals family – completely and fabulously reimagined.

One-of-a-Kind Accommodations

In the rooms and suites, nature and luxury go hand in hand. Modern designs inspired by the stunning phenomenon of the Dunn’s River – encapsulating the rainforest backdrop for this tranquil place – these accommodations will be elevated to new heights with Jamaica’s native elements present in every experience across the resort.

Beachfront Skypool Suites

Imagine stepping onto the balcony and laying eyes on an infinite shore. SkyPool Suites made their debut at the innovative Sandals Grenada. Now, Sandals Dunn’s River will be home to Jamaica’s first SkyPool Suites, the only one of its kind on the island. These SkyPool Suites are in a class of their own with a pool stretching across the length of the balcony offering an impressive view of where the ocean meets the horizon.

Sandals inclusions go above and beyond, for a difference guests can trust and always look forward to.

Coyaba Sky Rondoval Villas – A Sandals First

A first of its kind, the Coyaba Sky Rondoval villas reinvent the state of luxury with an oversized swim-up pool and a personal sanctuary boasting a breathtaking open-air terrace atop these villas with stylish furnishings – all offering ways to enjoy the sun’s warmth.

Gourmet Dining Experiences

Guest will be able to savor an appetizing array of dishes and unique atmosphere at eleven unmatched Global Gourmet™ dining options that will take their breath away. They will enjoy the irie spirit of the new specialty rum bar and the elegant setting of Edessa named for the ancient city of Edessa, meaning “abundant water.”

From a buffet to a seaside grill, guests will get to indulge in: Saltaire (buffet), Banyu (Asian), Cascata (Italian), L’amande (French), Zuka (Latin fusion), Edessa (Greek), Isola (pizzeria), Hanami (sushi), Dunn’s Rum Club (rum bar), Blūm (coffee shop), Jerk Shack (Caribbean), Galene (seaside grill).

Complimentary Green Fees

A luxury all-inclusive vacation at Sandals Dunn’s River means access to one of the premier golf clubs in the Caribbean, recognized as one of the finest in Jamaica by Golf Digest and Frommers Travel Guide. This scenic 18-hole course rises 700 feet above sea level in the lush hills of Ocho Rios, with a practice range, putting and chipping greens, pro shop, restaurant, bar, and jerk shack. Guests will be members of the club as they experience golf vacation perfection.

Stay at 1, Play at all in Ocho Rios

When guests stay at Sandal’s Dunn’s River, they will enjoy a mega-vacation that includes two resorts for the price of one. Complimentary exchange privileges with nearby Sandals Ochi means they get to experience all the restaurants, all the beaches, and every amenity, with round-trip transportation included at both Sandals Dunn’s River and Sandals Ochi.

Best Of Everything Included – All The Time, Anytime

Sandals Resorts has truly perfected the all-inclusive experience by exceeding expectations time and again. After all, nobody knows the Caribbean like Sandals, and its Luxury Included® Vacation continues to offer what other vacations do not without jeopardizing quality or quantity. In fact, Sandals has more quality inclusions than any other resorts on the planet. At Sandals, guests enjoy the Caribbean’s best endless white-sand beaches, 5-star Global Gourmet™ dining, unique luxury accommodations, unlimited premium liquors, world-class golf, the Caribbean’s most comprehensive scuba program, and exciting motorized water sports, among many more.

MEDIA CONTACT: 1-888-SANDALS, [email protected]