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Jamaica Tourism Minister checks progress of Global Tourism Resilience Centre at Kenyatta U

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The Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, paid a visit to Kenyatta University (KU) to review progress towards the setting up of a Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre office that will be based at KU.

The center, the first of its type in Africa, will mirror a similar one already set up in Jamaica at the University of the West Indies. The Minister was hosted by Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paul Wainaina.

Minister Bartlett, who is also a Board member of the African Tourism Board, received an ebony carving gift from the Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor. Also participating in the meeting was the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, Mr. Joe Okudo, and Dr. Felistus Kinyanjui, Chairperson, Department of International Relations and Conflict Studies.

Jamaica Tourism Minister checks progress of Global Tourism Resilience Centre at Kenyatta U
L-R – Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife Mr. Joe Okudo; Chairperson, Department of International Relations and Conflict Studies, Dr. Felistus Kinyanjui; Jamaica Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett
Jamaica Tourism Minister checks progress of Global Tourism Resilience Centre at Kenyatta U
Minister Bartlett received the ebony carving gift from Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor.
Jamaica Tourism Minister checks progress of Global Tourism Resilience Centre at Kenyatta U
Meeting group shot

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

Over 200 Jamaica hotel workers attend pension sensitization

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Two hundred and fifty (250) hotel workers from Iberostar Montego Bay, attended a pension sensitization session yesterday in Jamaica. The session, spearheaded by Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, was held as part of an island-wide effort to update workers on the next steps for the Tourism Workers Pension scheme.

“Today we had a very strong meeting, the first of a series of sensitization sessions we will undertake for registration for membership of the pension scheme.

We had a full house and we will continue this process island wide to make sure our workers understand the rudiments of the scheme and are prepared for the actual start of registration,” said Minister Bartlett.

The two hundred and fifty (250) workers in attendance provided their contact details as an expression of interest and will be notified once full registration begins in January.

“Elements to operationalize the scheme are well underway. The Request for Proposal for the Fund Manager is already out and bids are to come in by next week. The actuary is also being shortlisted and is expected to be appointed in short order,” Minister Bartlett added.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Mrs. Jennifer Griffith, encouraged the workers to join the scheme by “preparing yourself as it will endow to your own welfare in the long run.”

The Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme is designed to cover all workers ages 18-59 year in the tourism sector, whether permanent, contract or self-employed. This include hotel workers as well as persons employed in related industries such as craft vendors, tour operators, red cap porters, contract carriage operators and workers at attractions.

A section of the audience at the sensitization session held yesterday for Iberostar workers to update them on the next steps for the Tourism Workers Pension scheme, especially registration.

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

Jamaica Tourism Minister Bartlett mourns passing of Alfred Hoilett

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Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett has expressed condolences on the passing of Destination Assurance Council Deputy Chair, Alfred Hoilett.

“It is with great sadness that I learnt today of the passing of Mr. Alfred Hoilett, whose contribution to the tourism, security and transportation industries has been invaluable,” Bartlett said.

“Jamaica has suffered a great loss, as a result of his untimely death. He was a good man, and we all will miss him. On behalf of my Ministry and our Agencies, I offer condolences to his wife Dorothy, his sons, grandchildren, other members of his family; his friends; and colleagues,” he added.

Hoilett, who was 63, served as the Deputy Chair of the St Ann and St Mary Destination Association Council (DAC) of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) since 2017.

In this capacity, he provided governance and administration as well as influenced, motivated and enabled partners to ensure that quality standards were met and maintained in the destination. Through the Council, he was also able to help identify the needs of the tourism industry and monitor the progress of developmental efforts in resort areas in Jamaica.

“The industry, especially our stakeholders in Ocho Rios, is a little less powerful because of the loss of such a great man. We want to memorialize his contribution by continuing his legacy,” said Antoinette Bernard, Chairman of the St Ann and St Mary DAC.

Hoilett was also the secretary of the Jamaica Union of Travellers Association (JUTA) for a number of years.

Those who knew him best, described him as being outgoing, helpful and very dedicated to community development.  Over the years, he has served his country as an educator, law enforcement officer, as well as tour operator and owner of Full Moon Tours.

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

Jamaica Tourism Minister urges Employers to Fully Participate in Pension Scheme

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Jamaica Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is urging all employers in the sector, to participate fully in the Jamaica Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme, which is scheduled to become operational early next year.

The first of its kind Tourism Worker’s Pension Scheme, is a contributory one that embraces some 350,000 full-time, part-time, self-employed and contract workers across the sector, including red cap porters, front desk managers, craft traders, housekeepers and raftsmen.

Speaking yesterday at the third Graduation Ceremony of the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, Minister Bartlett said, “The Tourism Workers’ pension scheme represents the final prong in our commitment to human capital development.

Our workers deserve financial security at the end of their tenure, which this pension scheme will provide and so I urge all employers to get on board and support this landmark legislation.”

The Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme is also designed to cover all workers ages 18-59 years in the tourism sector.

“We are well on our way to ensuring the scheme becomes operational. The Governor General has given his assent and I have just recently established the Board of Trustees which met earlier this week,” added Minister Bartlett.

The Board of Trustees will play a critical role in the management of the scheme starting with the review of the regulations required to make it operational. The Board’s mandate will also include management of all moneys paid, or assets transferred into the Scheme and the appointment of a Fund manager.

For more information about Jamaica, click here.

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

Jamaica Tourism Minister Bartlett to visit typhoon-affected areas in Japan

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In his capacity of co-chairman of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCM), Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is set to visit typhoon-affected areas in Japan, during his visit to the country next week.

He will visit affected areas of Chiba, which is being coordinated by the Jamaican Embassy in Japan. He will also City Mayor of Ichihara, Mr. Joji Koide, and other officials at the Mayor’s office when he arrives in Tokyo on October 23, 2019.

Typhoon Hagibis made landfall on October 12, triggering landslides and catastrophic flooding. It is now being considered as one of the deadliest typhoons to have hit Japan in the past decade.

“Our resilience centre stands ready to advance on discussions to establish a satellite centre of the GTRCM in Japan as both countries have a wealth of expertise, good practices and experiences in effectively managing the aftermath of natural disasters,” said the Minister.

He further noted that, “The establishment of satellite centres in countries such as Japan which have a track record of effectively responding to and recovering from natural disasters and other disruptions to sustainable development will enhance the growing body of research and innovative solutions for recovery.”

The Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, launched earlier this year, was established to  assist global tourism destinations with destination preparedness, management and recovery from disruptions and/or crises that impact tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods globally, including climate and seismic events.

While in Japan, Minister Bartlett will be meeting with key airline representatives and tour operators to advance discussions on the recovery of the Japanese market.

Over time, Jamaica has lost significant market share from Japan and since 2013, has lost annually, an average of 6% of stop over arrivals due to a number of factors, including a downturn in the Japanese economy.

“Japan was a very good market for Jamaica 20-30 years ago. We lost that market because of a number of factors, one of which had to do with the economy of Japan and a fire that took place. The Japanese economy has rebounded and they are doing extremely well. Their outbound market is over 20 million and the appetite for Jamaica and the Caribbean is returning,” said Bartlett.

He will also meet with the Japan Tourism Agency, as well as the Chairman of the Japan Association of Travel Agents, Mr Hiromi Tagawa to establish new marketing arrangements. A meeting is also scheduled with the Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Hon. Kazuyoshi Akaba on broader areas of collaboration.

The Minister will be accompanied by officers from the Jamaica Tourist Board, the Tourism Linkages Network and the Ministry of Tourism. They will depart Jamaica on October 21, 2019.

For more information on Jamaica, click here.

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

Jamaica Tourism Ministry to Host 2nd Tourism Resilience Summit of the Americas

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced that his Ministry will be hosting the Second Tourism Resilience Summit of the Americas, under the theme “Building Tourism Resilience for Sustainable Development’. The event, which is open to the public, is scheduled to take place on October 9 and 10, at The University of the West Indies’ Regional Headquarters.

Under the theme, ‘Tourism Resilience for Sustainable Development’, the 2nd Tourism Resilience Summit of the Americas will examine and further explore the experience, best practices, and lessons learnt from tourism climatic resilience initiatives around the world.

More specifically, the objectives of the summit will be to examine and highlight the lessons learnt from tourism climatic resilience initiatives; examine emerging issues surrounding tourism climatic resilience and sustainable development.

“I anticipate fruitful discussions on capacity building and effective responses to such global disruptions, including tools for effective recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction. It is the goal that destinations should not only rebound but also continue to thrive on a path towards development post disruptions,” said the Minister.

The issues to be examined at the two-day international summit will include Corporate Social Responsibility; Leadership; Collaboration and Partnerships; Risk Management Solutions; Legal and Regulatory Frameworks; Communications and the Media; Crisis Management; Tools and Systems; Capacity Building; Research and Development; The Use of Digital Technologies and the Sargassum Threat.

Executive Director of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, which is spearheading the event, Professor Lloyd Waller, also highlighted that “the Resilience Summit of the Americas will be a game changer in terms of the exchange of ideas on resilience and resilience building.”

Speakers for the event include: Former UNWTO Secretary General, Dr Taleb Rifai; Professor the Hon. Ambassador Richard Bernal; UNESCO Co-Chair in Island Studies and Sustainability & MAIS Program Coordinator, Professor James Randall; CDEMA’s Executive Director, Mr Ronald Jackson and Ingenuity Technologies CEO, Melarka Williams.

Other speakers are Jacobs Media Group’s Daniela Wagner; Founding Director, Global Resilience Institute, Dr. Stephen Flynn; Jamaica Chamber of Commerce Montego Bay President, Janet Silvera; Professor Donna Hope; Finn Partner’s Gail Mooney and CEO Omie AR, Omar Itum.

It is expected that the papers and report from the summit will help to shape policy and strategic frameworks globally, specifically as it relates to enhancing the resilience of worldwide destinations.

“These presentations and other expected outcomes of the summit will contribute to policy formulation and the development of strategic frameworks, specifically as it relates to building resilience of tourism destinations worldwide.  I look forward to the upcoming publication of the ‘Journal of Tourism Resilience’ which will include some of the papers from this meeting,” said the Minister.

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

Minister Bartlett to meet with UN division of partners and other investors in New York

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Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, leaves the island today to meet with the United Nations’ division of partners and other potential tourism investors in New York.

In outlining the significance of the meetings with these stakeholders, Minister Bartlett said, “The visit to New York is to accomplish a number of things. Among them is my meeting with the United Nations’ division of partners to discuss the relationship with the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) and our strategic development, particularly in areas of climate change and seismic disruptions.”

The GTRCM is dedicated to assisting with preparedness, management and recovery from disruptions and crises that impact tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods. Just this week, President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, accepted an invitation to be Honorary Co-Chair representing Africa.

“I will also be having a series of discussions with potential investors in the area of shopping to look at the building out of mega shopping facilities in Jamaica. One of these discussions will be with one of the largest developers of shopping malls in the United States (U.S) and there is strong interest in building out such a facility in Montego Bay,” Minister Bartlett added.

While in New York, Minister Bartlett will also speak at the Jamaica Independence Black tie Gala. The Jamaica Independence Gala, which is organized by the the Jamaica Independence Gala Society, is an annual event for celebrants from the business, ecumenical and organizational communities to celebrate Jamaica’s Independence.

In acknowledging the importance of the event, Minister Bartlett said, “I am delighted to speak at this significant gathering which forms part of the Independence celebration activities for the Diaspora and will bring focus to the great work being done by nonprofit organization, Food for the Poor.

This staging of the Gala will also honour acclaimed U.S actress Kerry Washington and our very own Byron LaBeach, the distinguished Olympian of the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games.”

The Minister will also participate in a series of interviews with TravAlliance and Recommend Magazine as well as a live interview with Good Day New York. The focus of the interviews will be to highlight the successes of Jamaica’s tourism industry; give an update on product development; and look at the work of the GTRCM, especially as it relates to the issue of Sargassum.

Minister Bartlett returns to the island on August 13, 2019.

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

Jamaica had Record Arrivals for July, says Bartlett

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says arrival figures for July shows that an estimated 250,584 visitors arrived on the island — the highest number the country has ever seen for the summer months.

Jamaica has also welcomed nearly two million visitors since the beginning of the year to July 31 and has earned over $2 billion.

“Stopover arrivals have increased phenomenally over the period. However, what is even more impressive is the progress we have made over the past five years. In 2015 – 2016 we increased arrivals by 29,022.  For 2016 – 2017 we increased by 75, 628. 

“During the period 2017 – 2018 we increased by 73, 941 and this year so far, we have increased by 132, 980 almost doubling the performance from last year,” said Minister Bartlett.

He noted that this performance places Jamaica is in a good place with the industry globally and outpaces the Ministry’s projections.

“This indeed is phenomenal and I really want to congratulate the industry’s workers, partners, stakeholders, my Ministerial colleagues and all others who have worked so hard to enable tourism to achieve this level of improvement. I am satisfied that the earnings, as projected, is also at a high – we’re 8.4% over last year,” he said.

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

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Bartlett named PATWA advisor

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Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has accepted an invitation to become an advisor to international travel writers’ group — Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA).

The invitation was made by the group’s Secretary General, Sagur Ahluwalia last Friday, who shared that the Minister’s rich experience will be beneficial to the organization.

In expressing his gratitude, Minister Bartlett said, “It is an honour to have been selected as an advisor to the prestigious PATWA organization. I offer my services to the organization and hope that we are able to share ideas which will have a positive impact on the growth of tourism both regionally and internationally.”

PATWA is a professional organisation of travel writers which was founded in 1998, at the Pacific Area Travel Association (PATA) Conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Its founding philosophy is to support PATA’s primary objectives of being a catalyst for responsibly developing the travel and tourism industry in the Asia Pacific region.

Minister Bartlett was this year awarded the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association’s (PATWA) Tourism Minister of the Year for Sustainable Tourism for 2018 in Berlin, Germany
During the awards presentation, Jamaica also received PATWA’s International Travel Award for Destination of the Year.

The awards recognised ¬individuals and organisations that have excelled and/or are involved in the promotion of ¬tourism from different sectors of the travel trade and service ¬providers related directly or indirectly to the industry.

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

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