World News | forimmediaterelease.net

... press releases & Breaking World News

Bartlett congratulates S Hotel and Kanopi House on new Condé Nast Traveler best hotels rankings

by

Luxury and lifestyle travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler, has ranked S Hotel in Montego Bay and the Kanopi House in Portland as #1 and #6 best hotels in the Caribbean and Central America, respectively, in its 32nd annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey.

The 120-room S Hotel, owned and operated by the Crissa Group, was also ranked the 36th Best Hotel in the World.


eTN Chatroom for Readers (join us)

Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett extended congratulations to the hoteliers, whose accolades will further promote Jamaica as the destination of choice for the region.

“I wholeheartedly congratulate the management and staff of the S Hotel and the Kanopi House for being listed in the 2019 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards list.  These accolades will go a far way in helping us to promote brand Jamaica to new audiences,” said the Minister.

He further noted that, “I am particularly proud of the S Hotel which has ranked #1, after being operational for less than a year. The S Hotel is Jamaican owned and Jamaican managed and we are exceptionally proud of Christopher Issa’s undivided commitment and dedication to the tourism sector and to his country. We look forward to hearing more about the many other accolades to come.”

The Best Hotels in the World list ranked the 50 best hotels in the world according to 600,000 registered voters from the Condé Nast Traveler’s site.

GOT NEWS? click here

possible to reach millions worldwide
Google News, Bing News, Yahoo News, 200+ publications

The magazine described the S Hotel property as having “a bit of South Beach glitz” with ocean view rooms that “are big enough to pass for apartments in some big cities.” It also lauded the property for “artfully combining discreet urban sophistication and a laidback resort lifestyle offering guests an authentic Jamaican cultural experience.”

The Kanopi House is a collection of eco-chic treehouses nestled high amongst 100-foot Banyans and rooted deep in Jamaican culture.  The treehouses were designed and built by owners Brian and Jennifer Hew on six-acres in Portland, Jamaica.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

Jamaica Tourism Minister Bartlett announces Luxury Planet Hotel for Jamaica

by

Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett today announced that a Sunwing Travel Group led luxury Planet Hollywood Hotel & Resort will break ground in Trelawny next year.

This follows a meeting in Toronto, Canada today with President and CEO of Sunwing Travel Group, Stephen Hunter. Minister Bartlett said it was agreed that the development of the over 600 room hotel will move forward.

“The addition of these rooms to Trelawny will give the area a major boost in terms of job creation, linkages with many other areas of the Jamaican economy including agriculture and other social and economic opportunities. It will also impact our overall arrivals for the country which continues to see unprecedented growth in visitors and earnings,” said Minister Bartlett.

Planet Hollywood Hotels & Resorts offer an engaging and interactive experience, incorporating popular culture from movies, music, sports, and entertainment into every guest’s stay and is one of world’s most recognizable brands.

“Additional room stock remains a pillar in ensuring Jamaica has new and exciting offerings to attract more visitors to our shores. This is part of our strategic planning to keep Jamaica top of mind and boost our arrivals and earnings,” added Minister Bartlett.

The Minister is in Canada with Jamaica Tourist Board officials including JTB Head Donovan White for a series of meetings with key stakeholders. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

Bartlett Meets with Jamaica Tallawah’s Owner

by

Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (seen right in the photo) pauses for a photograph with Krishna “Kris” Persaud, owner of the Jamaica Tallawah cricket franchise. 

The occasion was a courtesy call at the New Kingston offices of the Ministry of Tourism on September 19, 2019. 

During the discussion, Bartlett emphasized the impact sports has on the country’s tourism product and possible ways this niche-tourism industry can be further strengthened.

Persaud also used the opportunity to give an update on the cricket franchise.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Tourism,

64 Knutsford Boulevard,

Kingston 5

Potential Global Economic Downturn and Sargassum real threats to Tourism, says Bartlett

by

Jamaica Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has indicated that Jamaica is taking note that the potential global economic downturn and sargassum phenomena are real threats to the tourism industry.

“We recall the recession of 2008 that impacted economies globally and recognize the need to strategize in light of data and trends. Despite this global recession, Jamaica’s tourism grew by an average 3.5% and we will need to learn from those lessons,” said Minister Bartlett.

There is general concern that the global economy may be on the verge of a slight downturn and possible recession. There is also concern regarding sargassum, which is a type of seaweed that can negatively impact tourist destinations when washed up on shore. 

Minister Bartlett said, “The possibility of a global economic downturn can have a devastating impact on not only Jamaica’s tourism but the region’s tourism. Coupled with this potential threat is now the impending influx of sargassum on our shores. What this means is that we must act decisively and swiftly to collaborate on the best way forward to get ahead of these threats.” 

Minister Bartlett was speaking at a meeting with members of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) today at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, to discuss the threat of sargassum on the island’s tourism. The meeting included senior officials from the Ministry and its agencies, key hotel stakeholders and President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourist Association.

“This meeting with our hotel partners is critical as we seek ways to develop economic resilience. These threats have the potential to negatively impact our livelihoods given the fact that the Caribbean is so heavily dependent on tourism.

Potential Global Economic Downturn and Sargassum real threats to Tourism, says Bartlett
Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (C), at the start of the meeting with key hotel stakeholders at the JHTA to discuss the threat of sargassum on the island’s tourism. Joining Minister Bartlett (L-R) are, President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Omar Robinson, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Mrs. Jennifer Griffith, Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Dr. Carey Wallace and Director of Projects at the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Johan Rampair.

Last year, the Caribbean welcomed 29.9 million visitors and contributed 40% of the region’s GDP but if we do not act, we could see our growth in arrivals and earnings go down,” added Minister Bartlett.  

Minister Bartlett also used the opportunity to have partners from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) make a presentation on their suggested strategy to cut off the sargassum prior to it reaching our shores and to get feedback from hoteliers.

President of the JHTA, Omar Robinson also highlighted the need to urgently identify solutions to “mitigate against any potential fallout this could have on our tourism product.” 

Minister Bartlett added that as it relates to sargassum, “The Global Tourism and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCM) is leading the charge to collaborate and conduct research to come up with workable solutions. Earlier this week, the GTRCM also met with the United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, to explore future collaboration regarding research on the sargassum challenges faced by the Caribbean towards identifying solutions.”

Minister Bartlett, through the GTRCM, recently spearheaded a regional sargassum forum which included mechanical engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Precision Engineering Research Group; and noted researchers from the University of the West Indies, Mona and the GTRCM. 

On October 9 and 10 of this year, the GTRCM will host a second summit with leading researchers geared towards climatic disruptions with a focus on sargassum.                     

Media Contact:                                                                                                      

Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard       

Kingston 5

Tel: (876) 920-4926-30

Fax: (876) 906 1729

Minister Bartlett to give keynote address at TEF Summer Internship Program Closing Ceremony 2019

by

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett will give the keynote address at the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) Summer Internship Program Closing Ceremony.

The program, which started in 2007, introduces participants (between 16-25 years) to the world of work and assists them with gaining professional experience.

This year, some 646 participants were employed at 90 private and public sector entities across the island.

In addition, TEF partnered with Jamaica Association for the Deaf to place 10 hearing impaired students.

The ceremony will take place on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, at 10:00 am at The Courtleigh Auditorium, 8 St. Lucia Avenue, Kingston.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944