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New Ambulance to Boost Health Security for Visitors and Locals, says Bartlett

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the donation of a brand-new ambulance by the Tourism Enhancement Fund to the Negril Fire station will boost Jamaica health security for visitors and locals alike.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony on Friday (July 31, 2020), Minister Bartlett highlighted that: “Negril represents a very critical resort area that continues to add to Jamaica’s prestige as a destination and this donation of an ambulance will boost the health security that is needed for this growing town.

Visitors and locals will feel more confident moving around, as the response to health emergencies will be strengthened.”

The Minister spoke also to the importance of the assurance every destination needs to provide, that if something happens there is adequate resources to respond.

“This is what this ambulance will represent for the town of Negril, the assurance that in event of an emergency, the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) at the fire station will be able to respond and respond quickly,” said Minister Bartlett. 

The ambulance, valued at J$18million, will greatly assist the EMS department at the Negril Fire Station which has been without a working ambulance for the past eight months. The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) also provided an additional $7.6 million for the renovation of the fire station in the resort town.

“Last year we embarked on a strategy lead by my Permanent Secretary to reimagine the town of Negril and this forms part of that strategy to boost the resources required under the new destination plan,” concluded Minister Bartlett.

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

SMTEs Have Key Role to Play in Rejuvenating the Economy – Bartlett

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Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett says Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMTEs), have a key role to play in reviving the economy, in the aftermath of the fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking recently at the virtual staging of the Tourism Ministry’s signature Christmas in July tradeshow, he said, “The Tourism Linkages Network through initiatives such as Christmas in July is playing a crucial role in this recovery process by stimulating well needed economic activity through partnerships.”

He stressed that “everyone has a role to play in rebuilding the economy and Christmas in July provides an avenue for suppliers to begin to earn again and do their part in rejuvenating the economy.”

Minister Bartlett underscored that assisting local suppliers to meet the demands of the tourism sector through the development of stronger linkages with other sectors, remains a top priority of the Tourism Ministry.

He said, “We remain committed to ensuring that the country’s domestic sectors are better able to supply the products and services that are the necessary inputs of the visitor’s experience.”

The Minister explained that “this is even more critical under the new dispensation brought about by COVID-19, which has put a strain on every sector of the economy, with an added burden on the tourism sector because it is by far the most reliable means of getting the national economy up and running again.”

Christmas in July is an exhibition of locally produced corporate gifts and souvenir items that will enable local entrepreneurs to benefit more from the linkage opportunities available in the tourism industry.

Participants over the years have been chalking up millions of dollars in sales through contracts negotiated at the event. “The 50 highest earners of Christmas in July 2019 made a combined total of J$9.2 million by participating in the event,” Minister Bartlett revealed.

Items on display this year, from 146 entrepreneurs, included locally produced art, fashion and accessories, processed foods, aromatherapy, and souvenirs such as desktop solutions and décor items that are available for purchase. The event also featured a ‘Style Jamaica’ fashion show which showcased apparel by several top local fashion designers.

The tradeshow is organized by the Tourism Linkages Network, a division of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, in partnership with Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA), Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), and the Bureau of Standards.

A gift catalog of all participants and samples of their work will be made available at a later date.

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

Jamaica Employees Eager to Help Rebuild Tourism

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Employees of some of Jamaica’s leading tourist attractions have expressed gratitude to be able to return to work and told Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett that they were eager to be back playing their role in rebuilding the tourism sector.

Mr. Bartlett toured attractions in the Ocho Rios area, along the North Coast Resilient Corridor recently. He heard first-hand, overwhelming expressions of appreciation from workers, who welcomed the recent decision to reopen COVID-19 compliant attractions effective July 21, 2020. A number of the entities are currently receiving strong support from local patrons.

While awaiting final Cabinet approval for attractions impacted negatively by the COVID-19 pandemic to reopen to international patrons, Minister Bartlett and ministry officials visited Mystic Mountain, Dolphin Cove and Chukka Caribbean Adventures to check their levels of compliance with stipulated protocols and equipment to manage the spread of the virus.

At all three, he was warmly greeted by staff members expressing their excitement to be able to return to work. Their sentiments were encapsulated by Team Leader at Chukka, Alicia Green. “We want to thank you for freeing up tourism so we can all have our jobs back,” she said, supported by resounding applause from her co-workers. “We promise to follow all protocols to remain COVID-free and to have a wonderful time,” she added.

Minister Bartlett underscored that: “We have been opening the industry in a very carefully structured and strategized way” and “we want to ensure also that in the process the jobs come back.”

He expressed deep satisfaction with what he had seen, adding that the partnership between tourism and health was paramount in overcoming the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. While underscoring the importance of health security to the hospitality industry, he stressed the need for tourism to be seen as part of the solution.

Noting that “tourism is the heartbeat of the country”, he expressed that visitors don’t just come here to have a drink and then to move on but to expand the Jamaican market and enable producers to have a larger group of people to feed and to provide goods and services for. “Tourism expands the demand for goods and services and enables jobs, jobs and more jobs as a result,” proclaimed Minister Bartlett.

Jamaica Employees of Tourist Attractions Thankful to Return to Work
The reopening of attractions is welcomed by operators, staff and small tourism enterprise operators like Beverley Creary-Green (right), who is happy that she can again sell her handmade trinkets at Mystic Mountain. She was pleased to show off her handy-work to Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (centre), while Executive Director of Jamaica Vacations (JAMVAC), Joy Roberts (left), looks on.

He said it was important to underscore that point “because I believe there is a ‘disconnect’ in the minds of our people in relation to this industry” which, it is now being realized, impacts so many other industries that are forced to close when tourism shuts down.

Director of Chukka, John Byles, said “I want to express how grateful we are to be seeing that our jobs are coming back, that we have the opportunity to work.”

Mr. Byles, who is also Chairman of the joint public-private sector COVID-19 resilient corridor management team, underscored that “all of us in the private sector commit to joining the partnership. We see it as us protecting ourselves by helping with the surveillance, the enforcement; to help with the entire program of ensuring compliance.”

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

Jamaica South Coast Now Open to Tourists says Bartlett

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The Jamaica South Coast is now open to tourists following the launch of a South Coast Resilient Corridor, which runs from Milk River to Negril. In an effort to drive the continued safe re-opening of the tourism sector, Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett. yesterday announced that the new corridor will be introduced on July 15. Much like the North Coast Resilient Corridor, which was introduced in June, this area will welcome visitors with robust health and safety protocols.

While addressing Parliament yesterday, the Minister said: “This expansion, which takes effect on July 15, will enable more visitors to experience the tourism product, while enabling tourism businesses and workers to restart operations in a safe environment.”

He noted that the key protocols of this corridor includes limiting access to only authorised properties to ensure that visitors will be travelling to COVID-compliant locations, as well as ensuring that public and private sector stakeholders are responsible for collaborating, to guarantee the extensive monitoring that is required.

“The protocols were designed based on benchmarks of nearly 20 markets in the Caribbean and globally as well as international health agencies.  They cover big and small hotels, guesthouses, attractions, beaches, transportation, shopping, social activities (restaurants and bars) and cruise ports,” said the Minister.

Mr. Bartlett noted that “the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) is playing a lead role in driving compliance with these protocols. The TPDCo has redeployed existing product quality officers to increase the complement of persons dedicated to overseeing compliance from 11 to 70, to ensure they have proper capacity to manage this task, which entails constant monitoring.”

“Moving forward, the intention is for the TPDCo to work in collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Wellness; Local Government and Community Development; Transport and National Security, along with other tourism partners to enforce protocols along the corridors. To this end the Ministry of National Security, will deploy over 140 TPDCo trained District Constables, to boost the surveillance mechanism,” he said.

In order to become COVID-certified, tourism entities are required to, among other things, submit a recovery plan based on the protocols; introduce proper COVID-related signage, as well as enforce social distancing, hand sanitising, and the wearing of masks.

During his presentation, the Minister also announced that the next phase of the re-opening exercise would see the opening of COVID-19 compliant attractions on July 21, 2020.

“We have already had indications that 23 such attractions, in the vicinity of the North Coast area have become compliant and we have two along the South Coast, including one that is not in this immediate corridor.  One of the reasons we have put the opening of the attractions to July 21, is to ensure that we have that full level of compliance that is required,” he explained.

“The tourism sector reopened to visitors on June 15, 2020 and since then, has welcomed over 35,000 visitors and resident Jamaicans. It is estimated that during the month of July, Jamaica will welcome a total of 41,000 passengers (visitors and resident Jamaicans). This will result in approximately US$80 Million in earnings,” Minister Bartlett said.

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

Bartlett Announces Over J$2 Billion in Funding for Small Enterprises in Tourism

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has announced that over $J2 Billion in funding will be made available for Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMTEs). The move, forms part of the government’s commitment to help these small tourism businesses retool and rebound amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding, which was championed by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), will be from multilateral partners and financial institutions such as the Development Bank of Jamaica, World Bank, Jamaica Social Investment Fund, EXIM Bank and Jamaica National Group.

Speaking today at the press briefing where the announcement was made, Minister Bartlett said: “Our SMTEs have been severely displaced due to COVID-19 and have recorded economic fallout of an average of $J2.5 Million each. As part of our recovery efforts for the sector, they will play a significant role by stimulating economic activity and as such this funding of over $J2 Billion which is needed, will assist them greatly to rebuild.”

SMTEs will have access to a suite of loan facilities and grants ranging from a low as J$5 Million up to a maximum of $J30 Million.

The REDI II program, funded by the World Bank and administered by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund, will as part of the project’s COVID response, also allocate J$100 Million for Personal Protective Equipment, training, funding for monitoring officers, communication, manuals, technical capacity building and licensing for tourism and agriculture.

“These initiatives are also geared towards getting our small tourism enterprises formalized, licensed and COVID-19 compliant. Therefore, in addition to the loan offerings, TEF will be donating 500 tourism protective kits that include infrared thermometers, touchless hand sanitizers and touchless garbage bins. The total value of the initiative is $J20.7 Million,” added Jamaica TourismMinister Bartlett.

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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 is at the heart of Jamaica’s post-COVID economic recovery program

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Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica’s tourism sector is critical to Jamaica’s economic recovery from the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking recently at the Rotary Club of Kingston East & Port Royal 22nd Anniversary and Virtual Board Installation Ceremony, the Minister said: “Tourism is very resilient, and the sector will be at the heart of Jamaica’s economic recovery. However, it cannot be business as usual.”

He added that: “The pandemic has given us a unique opportunity to look at tourism through a different lens.  As we rethink – re-imagine – tourism for the post-COVID-19 world, we must ensure that it is rebuilt on a safer, more resilient and equitable framework.”

The Ministry of Tourism is therefore considering a number of new strategies in an effort to mitigate the economic fallout caused by the pandemic.  This is being led by the Land Based Working Group of the COVID-19 Tourism Recovery Task Force, which has put together a strategy report with recommendations to build resilience along the tourism value chain.

“Jamaica is facing one of the greatest economic challenges of this century.  This is why my Ministry, Agencies and tourism partners are exploring measures to ensure that the tourism sector comes out on the right side of history. In this way, the tourism sector will live up to its potential as a catalyst for economic and social prosperity,” said the Minister.

He explained that “one key strategy will be to strengthen linkages and create a tax incentive program for large-scale farms and warehousing, aimed at purchasing from local farmers and selling in the industry. The investment size would range from US$12 to US$15 million. Also, we are creating an enabling financial environment through collaboration with the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), EXIM Bank and Small and Medium-sized Tourism Enterprises (SMTEs).”

Mr. Bartlett also noted that the Ministry will be exploring the island’s competitive advantages with the aim of transforming Jamaica into a logistics supply hub for the region’s tourism sector.

“We are one of the largest tourist destinations in the Caribbean, we have the largest international airport and have the potential to develop our agriculture and agri-processing, and we are close to the bigger supplier markets: USA, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.  We must take advantage of this. In addition, we want to promote island cruises by creating a home port and moving guests over the island for five to seven days,” he said.

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

Tourism and Health Ministries Collaborate to Safely Fully Reopen Borders

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, and Health and Wellness Minister, Hon. Christopher Tufton, have jointly lauded the collaboration that enabled today’s Jamaica Tourism full reopening of its borders to international travel and, in particular, the restart of the country’s tourism industry.

Over 100 health workers were on hand for the first commercial passenger flight to touchdown at the Sangster International Airport following the reopening of the borders.

Minister Bartlett was pleased with the execution of the protocols led by the health team in screening and testing the passengers off American Airlines Flight 2446 from Miami with a mix of tourists and Jamaicans who, in the words one passenger, described going through the protocols as “So far so good.”

Describing today’s arrival of just over 600 visitors as “a soft opening of the tourism industry and by extension the economy of Jamaica,” Minister Bartlett said, “this morning it was the fulfilment of the realization of real collectivism.”

The Tourism Minister, who led a team in welcoming the joyful group of passengers, commented, “Never in recent times have all the key partners and key elements come together so seamlessly in such a short time to create a seamless flow of a process.  This is going to see not just Jamaica position itself as being one of the first countries to be open, but also one where the protocols are all in place. Everybody understands them and the responses in terms of action are in keeping with those protocols.”

While commending the collaborative effort of the many agencies involved, Minister Bartlett singled out the Ministry of Health and Wellness as “the backbone of this whole effort.”

Minister Tufton, who kept a watchful eye on the procedures, said, “our health protocols have been put in place, working closely with tourism (and) we’ve spent the last couple of days working out the logistics here on the ground at the airport working with a range of agencies.”

He said it was still early days yet “but so far so good; we have over a 100 public health officials on the ground” and with persons complying with the directives given, it should be a seamless process. He said the number of persons who have expressed an interest in flying here over the next couple of weeks was very encouraging.

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

World Ocean Day Message from Jamaica Tourism Minister Bartlett

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Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett issued the following message on this World Ocean Day, June 8, 2020:

Our world has been plunged in unprecedented times as we seek to address and effectively manage the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in our daily lives. As such, we are compelled to “stop, look, and listen” in order to chart a new course towards effective recovery and sustainable development.

The travel and tourism sector has been hard-hit with the first quarter of 2020 and current projections showing the worst results for international tourism since 1950 and abruptly ending a 10-year period of sustained growth since the 2009 financial crisis.

In the light of approximately 90% of Jamaica’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) being generated in coastal areas, a sustainable ocean offers a viable option for economic and tourism recovery plans.

In this regard, I welcome this year’s theme for the United Nations World Oceans Day – “Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean”- being celebrated on 8 June 2020. It has become increasingly clear that innovation facilitated by technology and digital transformative tools will be instrumental in advancing small island developing states (SIDS) such as Jamaica towards developed status.

This concept of a “new normal” fueled by innovation will push solutions for tourism recovery will see a deeper diversification in geographic source markets and non-traditional tourism products; deeper linkages within and across sectors; training and development of tourism workers and a greater focus on resilience and sustainable tourism.

Oceans and seas cover two-thirds of Earth’s surface, with an estimated 80% of the volume of world trade transported by sea. With this consideration and reaffirming our belief that nature promotes sustainable solutions, the blue economy has an important role to play in the immediate and long-term recovery of the global economy.

Jamaica shares a special affinity with oceans and seas beyond being a Small Island Developing State, recalling the signing of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in Montego Bay in 1982. As host of the International Seabed Authority, Jamaica continues to reaffirm its commitment to multilateralism and collaborative responses to disruptive shocks that threaten sustainable development – no one should be left behind.

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

Jamaica Minister of Tourism Talking Points at Digital Press Briefing

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The Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, spoke at a digital press briefing today, June 4, 2020, about how the government will reopen after the coronavirus. Here his talking points are shared.

As the government makes plans to reopen the economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism is taking center stage, and for good reason. The tourism industry is Jamaica’s bread and butter. It is responsible for 9.5% of GDP; contributes 50% of the foreign exchange earnings of the economy; and generates 354,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs.

Tourism is big business – 80% of which is small business – the restaurants, craft vendors, tour and transportation operators, attractions, bars, duty-free shops. Due to tourism’s transversal nature and the linkages with other productive sectors, it also stimulates agriculture, manufacturing, and the creative economy.

It is within this context that we are anxious to revive tourism, which has been severely crippled by the pandemic. 

The Ministry of Tourism has calculated the economic fallout.

The estimated loss of direct tourism revenue to the government due to COVID-19 for April 2020 to March 2021 is J$38.4 billion.

The estimated overall loss to the economy from visitor expenditure from stopover arrivals is J$107.6 billion.

You can see, therefore, that the phased reopening of our borders to international travelers on June 15 is not just about tourism. It is a matter of economic life or death.

We need to get the over 350,000 pandemic-displaced workers back to work. We need to provide some salvation to the many tourism enterprises that right now are at severe economic risk.

As I say this, I am mindful of the public sentiment that we are moving too fast, and this will pose a health risk to the Jamaican people. I want to assure you that the reopening will be carried out safely and in a way that protects our frontline tourism workers, Jamaican citizens, and our visitors.  As our Prime Minister stresses, we must continue to protect lives while securing our livelihoods.  

Our government has demonstrated consistency in focus and resolve in containing the pandemic and with excellent results. We do not intend to undo this good work.

Therefore, let me underscore that non-nationals who enter from June 15 will be subject to the same health and risk screening process (temperature checks, symptoms observation) as nationals. 

Based on screening, if assessed to be high risk, they will be required to self-quarantine at their destination until the results are available.  

As announced previously, tourism’s reopening is being guided by a five-point recovery strategy:

  1. Robust health and security protocols that will withstand local and international scrutiny.
  2. Training all sectors to manage protocols and new behavioral pattern moving forward.
  3. Strategies around COVID security infrastructure (PPEs, masks, infrared machines, etc.).
  4. Communication with the local and international markets about reopening.
  5. A staggered approach to reopening/managing risk in a structured way.

The Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) collaborated with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to formulate these tourism protocols. 

This follows extensive consultations with local government agencies, particularly the Ministries of Health, National Security, and Foreign Affairs, as well as the private sector, the unions, and other local and international partners. 

In addition, our protocols have received the global endorsement of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

They are designed based on benchmarks of nearly 20 markets in the Caribbean and globally, and international health agencies.

Industry Segments Covered by the Protocols:

  • Hotels
  • Small hotels/guesthouses
  • Attractions
  • Beaches
  • Transportation
  • Shopping
  • Social activities (restaurants and bars)
  • Cruise ports

The fundamental elements of the tourism protocols:

  • Sanitization
  • Face masks and personal protective equipment
  • Physical distancing
  • Clear communications and messaging
  • Digital enablement
  • Real-time health monitoring and reporting
  • Rapid response
  • Training

While implementing these health and safety protocols, we do not want them to overshadow the “heart and soul of Jamaica” that makes us such an attractive destination for visitors and locals alike. In other words, we do not want sanitization and physical distancing to create a sterile culture. We will continue to infuse our warmth and culture in everything we do, to remind the world that this is the #1 place to be. 

As part of our wider work to safeguard the wellbeing of our tourism workers when the sector reopens, my Ministry recently donated 10,000 masks to frontline industry workers. This latest initiative is being undertaken through the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and Tourism Linkages Network.

We are spending just a little over $5 million in this exercise, and we are excited because not only is the initiative facilitating the provision of much-needed protective cover, but is contributing to economic sustainability by generating opportunities for small enterprises to create a cottage industry through the making of masks. Some 22 small entrepreneurs were engaged to make these masks.

Our focus has not only been on safety and security but also the financial protection of the sector.

We are in discussions with Jamaica National and the National Export-Import (EXIM) Bank to examine suitable instruments to enable SMTEs to secure COVID security equipment. 

In addition, the Ministry of Finance will be providing $1.2 billion in COVID-19 tourism grants to support smaller operators in the tourism and related sectors, inclusive of hotels, attractions, and tours, which are registered with the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCO).

Yesterday, we did a fact-finding tour of select properties in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios – Hospiten, Holiday Inn, Sandals Montego Bay, Sangster International Airport, Coral Cliff/Margaritaville, Deja Resorts, and Jamaica Inn – to gauge the readiness of the industry for reopening. I am pleased by what I have seen, and I am confident in the reopening of the tourism sector in a manner that is safe and secure for tourism workers, Jamaican citizens, and our visitors.

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

Bartlett Says – Tourism Sector Re-opening to Safeguard the Livelihoods of Over 350,000 Jamaican Workers

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Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says the re-opening of the sector, at this time, is crucial to assisting the over 350,000 pandemic-displaced workers and the many tourism enterprises that are at severe economic risk.

Speaking at his Ministry’s digital media briefing earlier today, he said, “I am mindful of the public sentiment that we are moving too fast and this will pose a health risk to the Jamaican people. I want to assure you that the reopening will be carried out safely and in a way, that protects our frontline tourism workers, Jamaican citizens and our visitors. As our Prime Minister stresses, we must continue to protect lives while securing our livelihoods.”

As part of the Ministry’s wider work to safeguard the wellbeing of the tourism workers when the sector reopens, the Ministry recently donated 10,000 masks to frontline industry workers. This is being undertaken through the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and Tourism Linkages Network.

“We are spending just a little over $5 million in this exercise and we are excited  because  not only is the initiative facilitating the provision of much-needed protective cover, but is contributing to economic sustainability by generating opportunities for small enterprises to create a cottage industry through the making of masks.  Some 22 small entrepreneurs were engaged to make these masks,” said the Minister.

He also noted that since the tourism sector came to a halt, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s economy has suffered severely.

The estimated overall loss to the economy from visitor expenditure from stopover arrivals is J$107.6 billion.  While the projected loss of direct tourism revenue to the Government due to COVID-19 from April 2020 to March 2021 is J$38.4 billion.

“Tourism is big business – 80% of which is small business – the restaurants, craft vendors, tour and transportation operators, attractions, bars, duty-free shops.  Due to tourism’s transversal nature and the linkages with other productive sectors, it also stimulates agriculture, manufacturing and the creative economy,” Minister Bartlett explained.

It is within this context that we are anxious to revive tourism, which has been severely crippled by the pandemic,” he said.

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