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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