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Tourism and Culture Ministers Urge Everyone to Buy Jamaican This Christmas

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett and Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, have joined forces in calling on Jamaicans and other persons seeking gift items, to use the yuletide season to shop locally and support and buy Jamaican designers, artisans and other local producers of goods and services.

Their appeal was made at the third annual staging of the Tourism Linkages Network’s Style Jamaica event, a fashion show featuring 14 Jamaican designers whose creations, the ministers agreed, could stand out against any of their international counterparts. This year’s event was also paired with the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s (TEF) new e-Chrismus Marketplace initiative, which is an online shopping marketplace showcasing a range of products from Jamaican designers and artisans.

The two-day event runs from December 16 to 17 and is being staged virtually at the newly opened Main Street Jamaica shopping facility (Formerly The Shoppes at Rose Hall), in Montego Bay, St. James. The location’s linkages concept promotes the best of Jamaica to international travellers with shopping as a major part of their visitor experience. The Style Jamaica event also presented Jamaican participants with an international marketing avenue through an online shopping platform.

“The online marketing of products and services is now the norm and our Jamaican consumers are beginning to appreciate that this comes with other benefits that in themselves add value in terms of cost-savings and even time-savings, in getting goods from the producer to the consumer,” said Minister Bartlett.

The Minister then urged everyone to buy Jamaican this Christmas. He stressed that: “Especially at this time though, I want to invite our Jamaicans to show confidence in ourselves and give meaning to ‘Buy Jamaican’. We are approaching the season of giving to friends and loved ones, a loving act that COVID-19 and social distancing cannot stop, and I really want to appeal to everyone to shop Jamaican this ‘Chrismus’.”

“That special item you may desire is literally at your fingertips. Just visit the shoppinginja.com/echrismus platform and there you will find an amazing array of gift items that are available from local suppliers who are eager for you to contact them,” he added.

While endorsing the call for persons to support local producers when shopping this Christmas, Minister Grange said “shopping is a major area for tourism and Destination Jamaica is one of the great brands.”

She also saw the Main Street Jamaica concept as capturing the essence of what Jamaica is all about, adding that: “What it has done is to present what Jamaica is about; its culture, its music, its food and the great talent our artisans have and has brought all of this together with brands of the world and to show that we can stand up and be a part of what the world is all about.”

Minister Bartlett noted that it was with the knowledge that shopping was one of the most important activities for tourists, and also an important factor in the choice of destination for many, that shopping was identified as one of the must-haves in the Tourism Linkages Network, a division of the TEF, which now helps to drive efforts to diversify Jamaica’s product offering.

He said the objectives of Style Jamaica were in keeping with the broader objectives of the tourism sector as it sought to promote Jamaica as a premium shopping destination; promote and highlight local designers to the tourism market, and to diversify the on-island shopping experience. This year’s staging therefore leveraged the growing online market trend even as it sought to develop authentic and unique shopping experiences that add value to the Jamaican tourism product.

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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 Wins Top Accolades at World Travel Awards 2020

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Efforts by various government ministries and tourism partners to introduce robust COVID-19 health and safety protocols to facilitate the safe re-opening of the tourism sector continue to bear fruit as Jamaica has been named the World’s Leading Family, Cruise and Wedding Destination at the 27th annual World Travel Awards. Several leading Jamaican tourism entities have also won major accolades.

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, expressed appreciation for the accolades secured by the destination, stating: “We are indeed quite pleased that Jamaica has been recognized by the World Travel Awards for three top honors and that several local tourism entities have won big as well. This year has been a very challenging one and these awards are a testament to the hard work our industry has put in to safely re-open our destination with strict protocols to safeguard the health and well-being of our citizens, industry workers and visitors alike.”

“I was particularly heartened to learn that we received the World’s Leading Cruise Destination, as we are currently working with our regional and international stakeholders to see how we can safely re-start cruise, which is an integral part of the local economy,” he added.

The winners were announced at a virtual ceremony on November 27, 2020, from Moscow, after a one-year process of voting on the world’s top travel, tourism and hospitality brands.

During the virtual ceremony Graham Cooke, founder of the World Travel Awards, said the winners, “have all demonstrated remarkable resilience in a year of unprecedented challenges…The World Travel Awards 2020 program received a record number of votes cast by the public. This shows that the appetite for travel has never been stronger. With hope with the tourism bounce on the horizon, our industry can look forward to a resurgent and bright future.”

This year, more than 270 nominations were put forward across categories including best hotels, airlines, tour operators, cities, resorts and attractions.

The awards won by Jamaica and its tourism partners at the World Travel Awards are:

  • World’s Leading Family Destination 2020 (Jamaica)
  • World’s Leading Cruise Destination 2020 (Jamaica) 
  • World’s Leading Wedding Destination 2020 (Jamaica)
  • World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa 2020 (Fleming Villa at GoldenEye)
  • World’s Leading Villa Resort 2020 (Round Hill Hotel & Villas)
  • World’s Leading All-Inclusive Company 2020 (Sandals Resorts International)
  • World’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort Brand 2020 (Beaches Resorts)
  • World’s Leading Caribbean Attraction Company 2020 (Island Routes Caribbean Adventures)

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. It is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence. Its annual program is renowned as the most prestigious and comprehensive in the global industry.

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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 Edmund Bartlett Wins Gusi Peace Prize

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, was yesterday awarded the prestigious Gusi Peace prize from the Gusi Foundation of Manila, Philippines.

“I’m greatly honored to be considered by the esteemed Gusi Foundation in this critical period of global history. Certainly, our work with regards to tourism and global resilience has made a mark. I think Jamaica, and certainly all of us who have been in the tourism management business in the island, can feel justly proud that we are being considered and our work is recognized well beyond our shores,” said Minister Bartlett.

The Gusi Foundation is a charitable organization, whose main objective is “to give proper recognition, through the conferment of awards of excellence and distinction, to individuals or groups worldwide who have distinguished themselves as brilliant exemplars of society.”

Specifically, the organizers have noted that these individuals or groups must make exemplary contributions to peace and human rights, in scientific discoveries, politics, academe, performing arts, literature, medicine or physiology, journalism, humanities, physics, chemistry, religion, business and philanthropy, economics and internationalism.

The Award is named after the late Captain Gemeniano Javier Gusi, a World War II veteran who fought against Japanese oppression and became a popular active advocate of human rights.

It is deemed to approximate the honor and respect accorded to the Nobel Peace Prize of Norway, and the Pulitzer of the United States of America.

“I am pleased to accept this award, though virtually, and it is my hope that I will be able to go next to receive it physically in Manilla. On behalf of all of us, this is indeed a very humbling but significant moment in my life and certainly for all of us in tourism,” said the Minister.

Bartlett joins distinguished past laureates such as Jamaican veteran advertiser and diplomat Arnold Foote Jr, who received the honor in 2010; Dr. Isaias Salas Hererra of Costa Rica who received the award in 2016; Jamaican Businessman, Lascelles Chin, awarded in 2017 and Jamaican Humanitarian, Father Richard Ryan Ho Lung, awarded in 2011.

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

Rural Area Tourism to Provide Key Opportunities for Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery – Bartlett

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett says his Ministry remains committed to working with Jamaica’s rural communities to strengthen their resilience, create jobs and build economic opportunities. This focus on rural development is a critical pillar in the Ministry’s plan to rebuild the industry, which has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the Tourism Awareness Week Webinar, hosted at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel recently, the Minister said: “As we re-imagine our tourism product in these uncertain times, the focus on rural development seems quite timely. Tourism in rural areas will provide key opportunities for recovery, as these communities seek to bounce back from the harsh economic setback caused by the pandemic.”

He outlined that pre-pandemic, there were 1.5 billion international tourist arrivals; travel and tourism accounted for 10.3% of global GDP; and it employed 1 in 10 persons around the world. 

“At home, as we welcomed 4.3 million visitors, the sector earned US$3.7 billion, contributed 9.5% to the nation’s GDP and generated some 170,000 direct jobs,” Mr. Bartlett said.

“Unfortunately, both at home and abroad, COVID -19 has resulted in major job losses, while the falloff in business and earnings has been astounding. … However, tourism is the heartbeat of our economy and it will serve as the catalyst of Jamaica’s Post-COVID-19 economic recovery,” said the Minister.

One key project the Ministry of Tourism and key partners will be completing soon, to benefit rural communities, is Jamaica’s first Artisan Village at the Hampden Wharf in Falmouth, which is on target to open at the end of 2020.  The TEF-financed project will see other artisan villages being established in Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Port Antonio, and Negril.

The Minister also highlighted community tourism initiatives being carried out in partnership with the Jamaica Social Investment Fund, under its Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI), which is facilitating the sustainable growth of community tourism enterprises across the island. 

Just recently, the second phase of the initiative (REDI II) was launched at the Office of the Prime Minister, which is a US$40-million World Bank-funded program seeking to unlock the full potential of rural communities. 

Stressing the importance of developing rural communities, he shared that globally, persons in rural communities who have small and medium enterprises drive 80% of tourism. 

“The essence of the experiences of visitors across the globe is found in rural areas. Tourism has that capacity to transform rural communities from sleepy areas into buzzing centers of economic activity and we saw that here in Jamaica. Ocho Rios for example, was a sleepy fishing village 60 years ago and today it is a buzzing center of commerce – creating jobs and providing economic well-being,” said the Minister.

“We want this transformation to happen all across Jamaica in our rural areas. We are now re-defining the destination to enable that transformation. So, St. Thomas in the next frontier for us and the rest of the South Coast is also on the radar for us,” he added. 

The Tourism Awareness Week 2020 webinar was hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and its agencies, under the theme: “Tourism and Rural Development”.  The event, was moderated by Dervan Malcolm, and included presenters such as, Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett; Director of Tourism, Donovan White; Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) President, Clifton Reader; and Chairman of Jakes Hotel and Villas, Jason Henzell; Angella Bennett – the Jamaica Tourist Board’s (JTB) Regional Director, Canada; and Donnie Dawson – JTB’s Deputy Director, The Americas.

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

Minister Bartlett: Tourism Awareness Week to place emphasis on rural development

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The Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, its agencies and industry partners will seek to further raise awareness about the transformative impact of tourism on rural communities through the observance of Tourism Awareness Week (TAW), from September 27 – October 3.

The week will be commemorated under the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) theme for World Tourism Day (September 27) – “Tourism and Rural Development”. The theme highlights the unique role that tourism plays in providing opportunities outside of big cities and preserving cultural and natural heritage all around the world.

Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett explained that: “As we re-imagine our tourism product in these uncertain times, the focus on rural development seems quite timely. Tourism in rural areas will provide important opportunities for recovery, as these communities seek to recuperate from the harsh economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“These communities are at the heart of our tourism product; providing the authentic, unique experiences and local lifestyles that provide our visitors with more enriching experiences,” he added.

In highlighting the role of the Ministry and its agencies over the years in using tourism as a tool to drive rural development, the Minister said, “we have always had a strong commitment to our rural communities, backed by policies and initiatives that promote sustainable economic growth and social inclusiveness.”

Some of the initiatives include, the Agri-linkages Exchange (ALEX) platform, which was set up to facilitate the purchase and exchange of goods between farmers and buyers within the hotel industry. This is aimed at increasing the use of local produce in tourism enterprises and supports the national thrust to reduce imports.

The Ministry has also engaged in Community Tourism initiatives in partnership with the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), such as the National Community Tourism Policy; Community Tourism Portal; and Community Tourism Toolkit workshops.

Director of Tourism, Donovan White emphasized that: “As a destination Jamaica has encouraged rural development through community based tourism. Community involvement is the cornerstone of sustainable tourism development. Furthermore, community based tourism has made the sector accessible to more Jamaicans, provides jobs and allows more revenue to remain in rural communities.”

Activities for the week will include a youth photography contest and social media competitions, where persons will have the opportunity to win prizes by submitting unique photos, answering trivia questions or creating a jingle based on the theme.

The week, which starts on World Tourism Day, will begin with a church service at Trumpet Call Ministries International in Montego Bay, which will be hosted virtually. It will then continue with a Virtual Exposition on September 30, highlighting the works of local entrepreneurs and farmers from rural communities, who have benefitted from the tourism sector.

A Virtual Webinar is scheduled for Friday, October 2, beginning at 10:00 AM. Presenters will include: Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett; Donovan White, Director of Tourism; Angella Bennett – the Jamaica Tourist Board’s (JTB) Regional Director, Canada; Donnie Dawson – JTB’s Deputy Director, The Americas; Clifton Reader – President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA); and Jason Henzell, BREDS Organization/Chairman of Jakes Resort.

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