Chief Executive Officer of JetBlue Airways, Robin Hayes, issued a personal apology to the Jamaican Government and the people of Jamaica earlier today, following the recent controversial actions of one of the company’s employees. Mr. Hayes conveyed his sentiments during a phone call with Jamaica Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, who has welcomed the apology.

“I was very heartened by the discussion I had with Mr. Hayes earlier today. His apology to our Prime Minister; the Government; members of the tourism team and the people of Jamaica, for the concern and frustration the incident has caused, was well received. We know that the actions of the employee are in no way a reflection of the standards of Jetblue,” said Bartlett. 

“We look forward to strengthening our relationship with the airline moving forward, as JetBlue remains a valued tourism partner,” he added. 

“Jamaica remains a premier destination and we will continue to provide the world class service and tourism product, which have allowed Jamaica to become the destination of choice for millions of visitors from across the globe. We will also continue to work along with Jetblue and all our other committed tourism partners in building brand Jamaica,” Minister Bartlett expressed.

During the discussions, it was also highlighted that the crewmember has been suspended while the company continues its investigation.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications Division, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4924, Fax: 906-1729

Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett is calling on private sector interests to take greater advantage of the growing rum tourism niche market in order to generate higher growth rates in both visitor arrivals and earnings for Jamaica, in the post-COVID-19 era.

“Rum tourism is on the rise as a growing number of travelers make distilleries and rum festivals central to their holiday itineraries, and Jamaica has an excellent rum product – premium brands and historic distilleries. Taking greater advantage of this trend will allow us to generate higher growth rates in both visitor arrivals and earnings,” said Bartlett.

“It is an opportunity for us to tap into that part of the international market that is excited about rum consumption and plays perfectly into Jamaica’s strength as a global leader in premium rums,” he added.

“Down the road, when the pandemic is behind us and travel restrictions lifted, I would like to see the creation of a thematic rum route that takes visitors on a sensory journey to all of the island’s distilleries, where they can immerse themselves in our fascinating rum heritage while enjoying our award-winning spirits,” Mr. Bartlett expressed. 

Minister Bartlett also believes that the rum tourism offering can be marketed as a multi-destination experience that would allow travelers to enjoy “Havana Club in Cuba, Mount Gay Eclipse Gold in Barbados, and our world-famous Appleton right here in Jamaica. The Caribbean is widely recognized as the birthplace of rum; let us use this to our advantage.”

The Minister was speaking recently during the virtual launch of the third staging of the Jamaica Rum Festival, which is slated to take place on March 27. Appleton Estate will be staging the annual event in partnership with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF).

The Jamaica Rum Festival event will be staged digitally this year, in adherence to COVID-19 protocols and will include trade education seminars, entertainment, virtual rum tours and exhibits.

“By pivoting to the digital space, we get to share Jamaica’s excellence in rum, food, art and music with a much larger global audience of rum enthusiasts, producers and industry professionals. I am sure many overseas patrons watching online will be enticed to come here as soon as possible for a taste of Jamaica’s rum culture,” said Minister Bartlett.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications Division, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4924, Fax: 906-1729

Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett yesterday chaired the third meeting of a high-level Organization of American States (OAS) Working Group that is currently developing an action plan, for the recovery of the cruise and airline industries, which have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Recovery should be focused on tapping into existing resiliency practices, including long-term national development plans, and devising innovative strategies to improve resilience in these industries and the wider travel and tourism sector,” said Bartlett.

He also shared a detailed 3-step plan, which included ensuring that the industries are protocol compliant; restore customer confidence to attract the new Generation C (Gen C) market; and increase sharing of technology and information across borders.

Expounding on the strategy for destinations, airlines and cruise to be protocol-compliant and ready to welcome customers, Minister Bartlett said, “There are opportunities, notwithstanding the difference in operations and destinations, for synergies in effective science-based protocols that restore the safety, security and seamlessness in travel and stays for tourists.”

He noted that once the industries are protocol-compliant, robust marketing campaigns should then be implemented.

“More strategic and sensitive marketing campaigns to acknowledge the global shift and to offer a well needed escape will be key… Multi-destination agreements and arrangements can also be used to provide greater value to the traveler, particularly travelers from long-haul destinations, could be considered,” he said.

The working group is one of four, which were announced during the second special session of the Organization of American States (OAS) Inter-American Committee on Tourism (CITUR) held on August 14, 2020, to facilitate the effective and timely recovery of the travel and tourism sectors.

The first meeting of the Bartlett-Chaired group took place on December 10, 2020 with representatives from various international bodies and countries in the region, including Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Peru and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Organization of American States is the premier regional forum for political discussion, policy analysis and decision-making in Western Hemisphere affairs. It dates back to the First International Conference of American States, held in Washington, D.C., from October 1889 to April 1890.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications Division, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4924, Fax: 906-1729

Sandals Resorts International is thrilled to continue making travel as safe and stress-free as possible for guests with the extension of its Cancellation Protection Benefit and Travel Protection Plan – Insurance Is On Us through February 28, 2021, while also providing complimentary COVID-19 testing to all registered guests on-resort prior to their departure. With these additional perks, the Luxury Included® resort company is giving customers even more reasons to Book with Confidence.

“We will continue to go to great lengths to ensure our guests have peace of mind when it comes to vacationing with us at Sandals and Beaches Resorts,” stated Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International.

Travel Protection Plan – Insurance Is On Us

To offer guests even more protection, Sandals® and Beaches® Resorts have extended their Travel Protection Plan – Insurance Is On Us powered by Trip Mate™ that is purchased on behalf of guests. The plan offers travelers booking now through February 28, 2021, for travel now through August 31, 2021, expanded medical benefits during their resort stay. With the Travel Protection Plan, guests are covered for an extension of their stay to quarantine and to receive any necessary medical treatment for up to 14 nights at no extra cost. Additional benefits of the plan include coverage of medical expenses and maximum benefits of up to $100,000 per guest.

Cancellation Protection Benefit*

From now until February 28, 2021, guests booking a Luxury Included® Vacation for travel now through August 31, 2021, will also have the added benefit of knowing they can cancel their vacation at least 31 days before arrival and receive a full refund on the land portion of their vacation with zero penalties. Guests cancelling 30-15 days before arrival will receive a combination of a 50 percent refund and 50 percent travel certificate for future travel to any Sandals or Beaches Resort within 12 months. Travelers also have the option of canceling within 14 days and up to the day of arrival for a travel certificate valid for 12 months from the original travel date. 

*This benefit is provided by Unique Vacations Inc. and is not an insurance benefit.

Complimentary COVID-19 Testing

Sandals and Beaches Resorts are doing everything possible to provide a safe, seamless and stress-free experience so that guests can continue to book their Luxury Included® Vacation with full confidence. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently announced the requirement for international travelers to present a negative COVID-19 test before their return to the United States, Canada and the UK. In light of these requirements, all Sandals and Beaches Resorts guests will receive complimentary COVID-19 antigen testing for US residents and PCR testing for Canadian and UK residents right from the comfort of the resort. All tests will be conducted by approved medical professionals with guest’s maximum convenience in mind and a minimal distraction to their overall vacation experience. Should a guest test positive for COVID-19 before their departure, the resorts are fully prepped with medical stations staffed daily with a registered nurse and 24/7 on-call medical personnel.

The Cancellation Protection Benefit, Travel Protection Plan and complimentary COVID-19 testing, along with the Sandals Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness and Beaches Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness, allows travelers to escape to the Caribbean with the trust they have come to expect.

For more information on how to Book and Travel With Confidence, visit:

Sandals: www.sandals.com/book-with-confidence/ 

Beaches: www.beaches.com/book-with-confidence/

To learn more about the Travel Protection Plan – Insurance Is On Us, visit: 

Sandals: www.sandals.com/disclaimers/travelprotectionplan/

Beaches: www.beaches.com/disclaimers/travelprotectionplan/

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MEDIA CONTACT: 1-888-SANDALS, info@sandals.com

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) served 882,869 passengers in January 2021, representing an 80.9 percent decline compared to the same month last year. This low demand resulted from ongoing travel restrictions imposed – and partly tightened – by governments amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

In contrast, FRA’s cargo throughput (comprising airfreight and airmail) rose by 18.1 percent to 176,266 metric tons in the reporting month. Thus, Frankfurt Airport recorded its second-highest January cargo month ever – despite the ongoing lack of capacity for belly freight (transported on passenger planes). Factors contributing to the growth in cargo tonnage included the later timing of the Chinese New Year, which is being celebrated in February2021. Last year, this typically low-traffic holiday occurred in January. Aircraft movements at FRA contracted by 63.7 percent to 13,196 takeoffs and landings. Accumulated maximum takeoff weights (MTOWs) decreased by 54.5 percent to some 1.1 million metric tons.

The airports in Fraport’s international portfolio reported mixed results for January 2021, but all of them experienced traffic reductions compared to the same month last year. The pandemic situation in the respective airport regions or countries was the primary factor impacting passenger traffic during the reporting month.  

Slovenia’s Ljubljana Airport (LJU) saw traffic sink by 93.5 percent year-on-year to 4,923 passengers. In Brazil, Fortaleza (FOR) and Porto Alegre (POA) registered combined traffic of 796,698 passengers, down by 47.0 percent compared to January 2020. Traffic at Peru’s Lima Airport (LIM) dipped by 62.2 percent to 775,447 travelers.

Total traffic figures for the 14 Greek regional airports declined by 82.7 percent to 108,907 passengers in January 2021. On the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, the Twin Star airports of Burgas (BOJ) and Varna (VAR) together received 22,177 passengers, down 73.4 percent year-on-year. Traffic at Antalya Airport (AYT) in Turkey shrank by 68.6 percent to 290,999 passengers. Pulkovo Airport (LED) in St. Petersburg, Russia, welcomed 925,306 passengers, down 30.3 percent. More than 2.2 million passengers traveled through China’s Xi’an Airport (XIY) in January 2021, a 36.2 percent drop compared to the same month in 2020.

Media Contact:

Dana Selin Kröll
Corporate Communications
Media Relations
Telephone +49 69 690-31403
d.kroell@fraport.de

Sailing large, the German series “Dream Ship” hit the Indian Ocean destination, as the Seychelles Islands was featured on the popular German TV Show, “Das Traumschiff” as it is known in its native country, earlier this month. 

Debuted in 1981, the German television series became one of the most-watched TV shows in the country, following the MS Amadea as it sails on its journey to explore renowned tourist destinations across the globe.

The Seychelles featuring on the ‘Dream Ship’ was a project that was initiated by the Seychelles Tourism Boards’ (STB) former Director on the German market, Mrs. Edith Hunzinger in 2019 before the pandemic.

The Seychelles episode teleported viewers across crystal clear waters onto pearly beaches surrounded by lush vegetation and towering boulders. Several islands were also depicted, such as La Digue Island’s rustic charms and the exclusive Desroches Island with its secluded beaches lined with coconut trees.

From their homes, viewers also discovered the vibrant wildlife found from the depths of the Seychelles seas to its mountains as well as the archipelago’s endemic “Coco de Mer,” the largest nut in the world.  

The show’s combination of an intriguing storyline and an alluring destination gave audiences the chance to dream of escaping to this sensational sanctuary. With Germany as one of Seychelles’ key market, the extensive coverage of the islands’ pristine beauty served as a reminder to the German people that “Another World” is within their reach.  

Rating points on the “The Dream Ship” episodes give an indication that Seychelles would have received considerable exposure during the broadcast.  Estimating the numbers to approximately 6.56 million viewers on ZDF, a German public-service television broadcaster based on reports of the “The Dream Ship” episode, aired around that same period of the year.

Speaking of the exposure received, Mrs. Francis Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Chief Executive stated, “Being featured on such a well-known show is very much a privilege for our small destination. We are glad that the splendors of the Seychelles islands have been able to reach our German friends to remind them that paradise is just a flight away.”

The small island nation has gradually been welcoming back tourists since August 1, 2020, and is continuously reinforcing its safety measures and procedures to ensure the safety of both visitors and locals. The country’s latest step towards recovery involves the administration of the vaccine to the locals, which will contribute to the safety of the destination.  

In January 2021, Seychelles has announced opening its shores to vaccinated visitors around the world and has reviewed its safety guidelines. Seychelles will be opening up to the world by mid-March as by then the country would have met its target for 70% of its adult population to have been administered the full dose of the vaccine.

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MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel 

The Bahamas, one of the world’s leading destinations for weddings and honeymoons, is gearing up to host two virtual events – From The Bahamas With Love – to showcase the vast offerings for romantic escapes throughout the destination. The expo will bring together industry leaders, partners, hotels, venues and services for a truly unique and educational experience for trade and consumer participants.

The virtual events will kick off on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 (from 1pm to 4pm EST), with an afternoon planned specifically for trade professionals, including travel agents and event planners. The second day will be held on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 (from 4pm to 7pm EST), and is open to consumers, including soon-to-be engaged or recently engaged couples, future brides and grooms, bachelorette party planners, honeymoon do-over seekers and more.

The pandemic has caused many couples to postpone or reimagine their romantic getaways over the last year, and the destination wants to ensure future planning is made as seamless as possible in 2021. From the Bahamas With Love will feature a diverse series of panel discussions with experts from across all romance industry sectors, along with opportunities to network directly with partners. Those attending will enjoy a literal “taste” of The Bahamas from home via the following activities and experiences:

●             Engaging Panels + Breakout Sessions: Virtual sessions will highlight current trends, how to accommodate various wedding styles and preferences in The Bahamas, keeping the romance alive with activities and adventures for every type of couple and more. Sessions to include:

○             Love On Board (March 3) featuring Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Deputy Director General Ellison “Tommy” Thompson and the three promotion boards.

○             A New Take on Romantic Travel (March 3) being moderated by Alan Berg, Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) and leading wedding business consultant, featuring panelists Lisa Sheldon (Co-founder of Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialist Association), David Woods (President of the Association of Bridal Consultants) and Danielle Andrews (Co-founder of the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada)

○             Romance Reimagined (March 3 and March 10) being moderated by Bridgette King, Executive Director with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, featuring panelists Jena Conway (Director of Weddings and Special Occasions at Atlantis, Paradise Island), Gilda Noboa, Director of Sales and Marketing for USA and Canada (Viva Wyndham); Desiree Moxey, Director of Events (Baha Mar Grand Hyatt) (Boutique hotels will be featured during the consumer day panel discussion.)

○             Love Is All You Need (March 3 and March 10) with moderator Cindy Coakley-Knowles, President of the Bahamas Bridal Association, and featuring panelists Natalie Appleyard, Director of Wildflowers; Marva Munroe of Chic Bahamas Weddings, photographer Lyndah Wells and Kenton Burrows of Expressions Entertainment.

○             Romance Me in The Bahamas (March 10) with moderator Alison McGill, Editor, Weddingbells Magazine, and featuring panelists Tracey Manailescu, Co-founder of The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada and David Cox, Publisher of Caribbean Bride Magazine

• Listen Up and Sell More Workshops (March 3):  featuring well known presenter Alan Berg, CSP who will be discussing how to ask better questions to help you sell more in less time.

• Keynote Speaker (March 10): Jennifer Stein, Editor-in-chief of Destination I Do magazine, will deliver the expo’s keynote address, “ Keep Calm & Marry On” highlighting the shifts in the industry and how couples are finding creative ways to bring to life their weddings, honeymoons and romantic escapes safely amidst the pandemic.

• Virtual Networking Booths: Walk the virtual floor visiting a variety of booths to collect essential information for download or take advantage of the live chat feature allowing participants to ask questions and speak directly with local hoteliers and Bahamas Romance specialists.

• A Taste of The Bahamas Experiences: Be transported to The Bahamas featuring the making of signature cocktails, enjoy the culinary delights of a Bahamian Chef or check out the latest bridal fashion as models walk the runway for a Bahamian fashion show.   

• “From The Bahamas with Love” Magazine Launch: Participants will be offered access to the first edition of the digital magazine, launching March 10, with exclusive wedding planning content including — top venue recommendations, bachelorette party planning inspiration, as well as made in The Bahamas decor and styling tips.

• Prizes and Giveaways: Special Media & Travel trade giveaway (March 3)

• Prizes and Giveaways: On the consumer day (March 10), lucky couples will have a chance to win one of 16 romantic experiences, including an all-expenses paid romantic getaway to The Bahamas and a destination wedding or vow renewal. 

“With intimate, secluded cays, unmatched turquoise waters and pink- and white-sand beaches, it’s easy to understand why The Bahamas is considered one of the world’s most romantic destinations,” said Joy Jibrilu, Director General of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation. “With so many offerings available, we are thrilled to connect consumers to experts across a number of industries through our virtual romance expo experience to ensure the ease of planning a romantic Bahamian getaway, especially after so many plans were upended this last year.”

Whether couples are planning a wedding, anniversary, honeymoon or simply a romantic escape – the virtual expo offers invaluable access to experts and resources to take all of the stress away from planning and allow more time to find out why It’s Better in The Bahamas.

Links to register for the events:

Travel Trade (March 3):  https://www.bahamas.com/from-the-bahamas-with-love-trade

Consumer (March 10):  https://www.bahamas.com/from-the-bahamas-with-love-consumer

ABOUT THE BAHAMAS

With over 700 islands and cays and 16 unique island destinations, The Bahamas lies just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, offering an easy fly away escape that transports travelers away from their everyday. The Islands of The Bahamas have world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of the earth’s most spectacular water and beaches waiting for families, couples and adventurers. Explore all the islands have to offer at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram to see why It’s Better in The Bahamas.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Anita Johnson-Patty

General Manager, Global Communications

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation

ajohnson@bahamas.com     

Weber Shandwick

Public Relations 

Bahamas@webershandwick.com    

Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett has lauded Marriott and Sunwing Travel Group on their new marketing deal, which will double Marriott’s all-inclusive portfolio, including properties in countries such as Jamaica and Costa Rica. Minister Bartlett welcomed the agreement, which he believes is a significant show of confidence in the full recovery of the regional tourism industry in the Caribbean and Central America.

Under this new arrangement, 19 of Sunwing’s 44 resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean, including Planet Hollywood and Royalton hotels, will join Marriott’s Autograph Collection brand in the first quarter of 2021.

“I would like to congratulate Marriott and the Sunwing Group on their ground-breaking marketing deal, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on tourism in Jamaica, and other destinations within the Caribbean and Central America,” Minister Bartlett said.

“This show of confidence in the region is an indication that these large tourism players expect to see a significant increase in travel to our respective destinations. It also highlights the confidence tourism partners have in Jamaica and the All Inclusive product, that even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are willing to undertake deals involving properties in Jamaica and other destinations,” added Mr. Bartlett.

He underscored that “Jamaica stands to benefit greatly from this deal, as the Royalton properties located on the island will now be marketed to a larger customer base, including the 145 million members of Marriott’s Bonvoy loyalty program.”

“We look forward to welcoming a large number of visitors who will undoubtedly select Jamaica as their destination of choice through this marketing arrangement. The Ministry of Tourism and its agencies will continue, with the support of our stakeholders, to build out an infrastructure that enables visitors to enjoy an experience that is safe, seamless, and secure,” said the Minister.

Marriott said the move would double its presence in the all-inclusive segment to 33 properties by 2025 and would specifically affect hotels in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Costa Rica, as well as St. Lucia and Antigua. It was also outlined that under the agreement Sunwing retains ownership of the hotels.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications Division, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4924, Fax: 906-1729

To solidify Nevis’ position as the definitive “Island of Love,” the Nevis Tourism Authority (NTA) has introduced a specialty cocktail with aphrodisiac properties for Valentine’s Day.

Inspired by Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, the NEVISAN KISS was conceived by the award-winning Nevisian mixologist, Mr. Kremour Maloney. Mr. Maloney tells us, “Aphrodite was also Cupid’s mother, the symbol of Valentine’s love and passion, and she was acclaimed to have given us the gift of pleasure and the power of seduction, all elements that stir those lustful feelings that are captured in her namesake, Aphrodisiac, and we deliver in the Nevisian Kiss.”

Aromatic and spiced, the NEVISIAN KISS contains three magical elixirs with aphrodisiac qualities that have been used through the ages: Cinnamon for blood flow and sexual libido; Ginger to increase body heat and a heightened heart rate; and Nutmeg, reputed to be “Viagra for Women,” also raises body heat, sweetens breath, and acts as an all-round stimulant. The foundation of the Nevisian Kiss is the Nevisian rum, Captain Nils Viking Rum, and combined these ingredients are brewed to make a potent mix. 

The recipe for the Nevisian Kiss is a blend of 1.5 oz. Captain Nils Viking Rum, 1.0 oz. fresh lime juice, 1.0 oz. cinnamon infused simple syrup, 0.75 oz. apple juice, 2 slices of ginger root, and finished with a garnish of fresh grated nutmeg. To ensure you have your NEVISIAN KISS blended to perfection, Mr. Maloney will host a demonstration via a live stream on @NevisNaturally, the handle for Instagram on Sunday, February 14, at 1 pm AST (12:00 pm EST).      

“Nevis, The Island of Love,” is renowned as a destination for all things romance: engagements, weddings, and romantic holidays. This Valentine’s Day, Nevis wants to assist you in declaring your love to your significant other in grand style by illuminating your commitment on the NTA’s social media platforms.  To be featured, all it requires for your participation is to share your love story, titled “Nevis Love Story” with their social media handles for the NTA and they will create a personalized image in your honor.

On receipt of your story, the NTA will create a “Sandy Love” graphic by drawing a heart on a pristine beach, lapped by the warm Caribbean waters, and take photos of the images.  The graphic will feature the names of the lovers that submitted a “Nevis Love Story” with their social media handles tagged, and on Valentine’s Day, the tagged images will be posted on the NTA’s social media platforms and shared to all their followers. 

Participants are encouraged to share their love story with the world by reposting this virtual symbol to celebrate their love, sealing their commitment with a NEVISIAN KISS. Wishing a happy Valentine’s Day from Nevis with love.

For travel and tourism information on Nevis, please visit the Nevis Tourism Authority website at  www.nevisisland.com and follow us on Instagram (@nevisnaturally), Facebook (@nevisnaturally), YouTube (nevisnaturally), and Twitter (@Nevisnaturally).

About Nevis

Nevis is part of the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis and is located in the Leeward Islands of the West Indies. Conical in shape with a volcanic peak at its center known as Nevis Peak, the island is the birthplace of the founding father of the United States, Alexander Hamilton. The weather is typical of most of the year with temperatures in the low to mid-80s°F / mid 20-30s°C, cool breezes and low chances of precipitation. Air transportation is easily available with connections from Puerto Rico, and St. Kitts. For more information about Nevis, travel packages and accommodations, please contact the Nevis Tourism Authority, USA Tel 1.407.287.5204, Canada 1.403.770.6697 or our website www.nevisisland.com and on Facebook – Nevis Naturally.

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Media Contact: Nana Delatour, Portfolio Marketing Group, E: nana.d@pmgroup.bz

Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has revealed that steps are currently being taken to ‘reset’ the tourism sector to ensure that it benefits even more Jamaicans and fuels greater economic growth, whenever the sector rebounds from the impact of COVID-19. Mr. Bartlett adds that the Ministry of Tourism has embarked upon a series of consultations with key stakeholders, aimed at maximizing the opportunity to reorganize the local tourism industry.

“I think that this is a good moment for Jamaica to really reset tourism so that we become a more inclusive industry, and the flow-through effect on the economy that tourism has the capacity to provide, is then realized,” said Minister Bartlett.

Mr. Bartlett outlined that the tourism ministry is currently in dialogue with JAMPRO regarding the initiative, adding that he has also had discussions with his colleague, Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Senator Aubyn Hill. Minister Bartlett noted that the discussions are intended “to look at how we start that whole arrangement, first of all to have an analysis of the supply side and then the demand side.”

In resetting the tourism industry, Minister Bartlett said after making a determination on what is required to satisfy demand and supply, “the next move will be to the financial and technical markets and we acquire that technology, and we bring that to bear, to enable us to create that capability.”

He said the downturn created by the COVID-19 pandemic had provided the opportunity to give the global tourism industry a new start and to take it to a higher level than where it was, having peaked at a 60 percent occupancy rate for some countries but not Jamaica.

“This is the opportunity for us to do that. I want to continue this debate and in fact I am going to have a paper done on this reset of the tourism industry and we begin to talk with our partners so that there’s an understanding of what needs to be done in the next six months or so, as we try to reposition tourism as a true driver of the economy and as a means by which a far greater number of our Jamaican people will realize their true potential,” said Minister Bartlett.

Mr. Bartlett’s disclosure of the latest tourism initiative was made following an extensive tour of the 350-year-old Worthy Park Estate, which has developed a tour that adds to Destination Jamaica’s product offering and has been appealing to both locals and visitors.

Commenting on the Worthy Park Rum Tour, Mr. Bartlett described it as “a first class tour.” It covers all aspects of the process that goes into producing some of Jamaica’s finest rums for the local and export markets, from the sprawling cane fields spanning 10,000 acres, through distillery and aging.

Minister Bartlett said tours like these were a big part of the tourism product “because people come to fulfil their passions and they have passion points relating to all sorts of activities in life, and certainly rums and spirits have been a huge part of the consumption pattern of visitors for many centuries.” He stated that the three most consumed liquids worldwide were water, coffee and rum, in that order.

With rum accounting for 65 percent of alcoholic based liquids consumed: “A rum tour with a Jamaican rum experience provides an opportunity for us to tap into that part of the market that is excited by rum consumption,” said Minister Bartlett.

It was outlined that the rum tour had a soft opening prior to the onset of the pandemic and welcomed some 1,000 tourists, and since reopening in May has been seeing mostly locals. Mr. Bartlett, accompanied by Director of the Tourism Linkages Network, Mrs. Carolyn McDonald-Riley, was escorted on the tour by Managing Director and CEO of Worthy Park, Gordon Clarke and members of his team.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications Division, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4924, Fax: 906-1729