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Bartlett upbeat about Peru Flight to Jamaica

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, (seen right in photo) in discussion with Chilean Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Euduaro Javier Bonilla Menchaca (second right) during his courtesy call at the Minister’s New Kingston Office on Wednesday October 30, 2019.

Joining in the discussion are (left to right) Roberto Alvarez, Deputy Head of Mission, Chilean Embassy in Jamaica and Mrs. Jennifer Griffith, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism.

During the courtesy call, Minister Bartlett discussed the positive impact the upcoming inaugural flight from Lima, Peru to Montego Bay will have on the island’s arrivals from the Latin America region.

The service which will be through LATAM airlines three days weekly, is expected to begin next month.

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

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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

Strong support for Jamaica Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme

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In anticipation of passing its final hurdle in the Senate, the Jamaica Ministry of Tourism has embarked on another round of awareness and sensitization sessions to get workers signed onto the Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme.

The scheme has already received parliamentary approval and is expected to get the Senate’s seal of approval after inclusion of a number of recommendations from that body. It will then go to the Governor General for his assent after which regulations will be drafted for the plan to be rolled out in January 2020.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, joined by Chair of Pension Scheme Oversight Committee, Hon. Daisy Coke, sold the scheme to a representative gathering of various tourism stakeholders from the Ocho Rios area Wednesday, July 17, at the Anglican Church Hall.

Describing it as a defined contractual scheme, Mrs. Coke said for the first three years of its operation, employees will contribute 3 percent of their salary, matched by 3 percent from their employers. Thereafter, the rate will be increased to 5 percent. Self-employed persons will also be subjected to the 3 and 5 percent but will not have the benefit of a matching amount.

Minister Bartlett underscored the importance of getting more from the tourism industry by developing the capacity to be able to contribute better, more efficiently “and more fulfilling to ourselves because when we work we’re working just for the employer, we’re not working to boost productivity that will enhance the bottom line of some government; we’re working also for self-satisfaction.”

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett outlines the importance of the Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme to a representative gathering of workers from various sectors of the industry, at an awareness and sensitization session, held at the Anglican Church Hall in Ocho Rios on Wednesday, July 17, 2019. Seated to his right is Chair of the Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme Oversight Committee, noted actuary, Hon Daisy Coke.

He said it was also important for workers to feel happy about what they do and having security of tenure, being remunerated appropriately and knowing that there was a social security arrangement with a social security net awaiting them after working very hard, would engender that happiness.

According to Mr, Bartlett, “the potential size of this Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme is going to be of a magnitude that Jamaica has never seen.” He said it was eight years in the making and was the first of its kind in the world.

With the ongoing expansion of the industry providing increased employment, Minister Bartlett stressed the importance of human capital development and training as the number one priority to improve the quality of what is being offered as the product and create an opinionated experience for visitors who will want to return and improve the 42 percent repeat business that the country now enjoys.

With the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program already in place through 33 high schools offering an associate degree in hotel management; the Tourism Product Development Company’s TEAM Jamaica sensitizing to what the industry is all about; HEART NTA measuring and building competence; and the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation offering on-the-job certification at various levels, he said the next step would be to have tertiary level training.

“The next level now for us is tertiary and post graduate qualification because our industry is one that is changing every day; it’s a new tourism that is emerging where technology is going to play a far more important role in the delivery of the experiences and services of the industry,” said Minister Bartlett, adding that “more and more hotels are going to become automated so that is going to have implications for the lower level employees in the sector. Our job therefore is to make sure that we are preparing the next workforce to be ITT competent and to be able to operate well within this post-industrial revolution.”

Starting October, a partnership will begin with the University of the West Indies to establish a graduate program in tourism that opens the door for persons to work through the system, write a thesis and obtain a Master of Science in Tourism. Minister Bartlett said utilizing data, “we are going to find new ways of doing the same things that we have done over the years but better ways that are more efficient, more cost effective and offer more value.”

MEDIA CONTACT:

Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Tel: (876) 920-4926-30

Jamaica’s Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme to be a Landmark for Global Tourism Social Legislation – says Bartlett

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett says the Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme will be a landmark plan for tourism social legislation in the world, as it will be the first of its kind to provide a comprehensive pension plan for all the workers of the tourism sector — whether permanent, contract or self-employed.

Speaking at a Jamaica Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme Awareness and Sensitization Seminar at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston yesterday, the Minister noted that “We now as a result of collective efforts over a period of time, have come together with a plan that will be a landmark plan for tourism social legislation in the world. Jamaica will be the only country in the world that has a comprehensive pension plan for all the workers of the tourism sector.”

The Tourism Workers’ Pensions scheme is designed to cover all workers ages 18-59 years in the tourism sector, whether permanent, contract or self-employed.  This includes 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.

The Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme, which will receive $1 billion in funding from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), will see benefits being payable at age 65 years or older.

“This landmark piece of social legislation in the industry is going to represent in time, the largest pool of domestic savings that this economy would have provided. Real growth comes when we are able to convert domestic savings into investments,” he said.

He further noted that the plan will be of particular interest to workers in the industry who have been employed at a number of organizations over the years on short-term employment contracts.

“The plan will protect contract workers by providing them with a social safety net. It will enable them to join as a self-employed person. So you can move from one company to the other, change your contract, knowing that your retirement plans are secure,” said Minister Bartlett.

According to the Tourism Minister, the scheme is the final piece in a four-point human capital development plan to enhance Jamaica’s tourism workers.

The other three initiatives in the human capital development plan are training, capacity building and creating the ability of tourism workers to have knowledge and convert that knowledge into practical applications; providing a pathway to professionalism and jobs; and improving the social conditions around which the tourism worker lives.

“If we are to build the capacity of tourism to deliver on the prosperity agenda, we must build the capacity of the people, the human capital must be enhanced. We think that there is no equity in this game, if this industry is so big, and it cannot secure the safety, future and social requirements of the people who work in it,” he said.

The Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme Bill was passed in the House of Parliament on June 25 and is in keeping with the Government’s focus on creating a social security network within the tourism sector.

The Ministry of Tourism will host three other Tourism Workers’ Pension Scheme Awareness and Sensitization Seminars in Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Negril within the next two weeks, as part of their public awareness campaign.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Tourism,

64 Knutsford Boulevard,

Kingston 5.

Tel: 920-4926-30,

Fax: 920-4944

Jamaica Tourism Marketing Executive Marie Deeble Walker passed at age 58

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Jamaica tourism minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett has expressed deep regret at the passing of former Jamaica Tourist Board marketing executive, Marie Deeble Walker.

“It is with great sadness that I learn of the passing of Marie Deeble Walker. She dedicated more than 30 years of her life working in hospitality tourism. The Jamaican tourism industry remains grateful for her contributions to the development and marketing of our industry.

We remain particularly grateful for her work with the diaspora community, including the staging of reggae music concerts in New York City Central Park’s Summerstage.,” said Minister Bartlett.

Marie Deeble Walker worked at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), starting in Kingston in 1979, and was later transferred to the New York office as the advertising relations manager.

“I wish to offer my condolences to her friends, family and loved ones as they mourn her sudden passing.  She was the consummate professional with a very warm and jovial personality. Her passing is a tremendous loss for the industry and for those who knew her personally,” said Minister Bartlett.

At the time of her passing, she was the principal of Turnstyle Marketing and Collections — a boutique marketing and public relations agency that provides destination management and sales support services for a number of Caribbean destinations.

She passed away on July 10 in South Florida, United States. She was 58 years old.

Bartlett meets Jamaica’s First Kenyan High Commissioner to Jamaica

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JamaicaTourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (seen right in the main photo) receives an honorary Kenyan passport from the High Commissioner of Kenya to Jamaica, His Excellency Anthony Muchiri.

The occasion was a courtesy call to the Minister’s new Kingston office on July 4, 2019, where they discussed the possibilities to enhance collaboration in the tourism sector in areas such as training and exchange programs.

Ambassador Muchuri is the first Kenyan High Commissioner to Jamaica.

Above, Minister Bartlett (seen right) paused for a photograph with the High Commissioner of Kenya to Jamaica, His Excellency Anthony Muchir (seen left) and his wife Olive.

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

Bartlett holds discussions with Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (third right in the photo) recently presided over a meeting with the Chairman of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, Phillip Henriques, (third left) and members of the Jamaica Air Traffic Controllers Association (from right) Treasurer Maurice Smith, President Kurt Solomon and Vice President Sean Blair.

Sharing in the moment are Senior Communications Strategist in the Ministry of Tourism Delano Seiveright (left) and Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board John Lynch.

The group met at the Minister’s New Kingston office on April 10, 2019 to provide updates on the sector.

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Bartlett holds discussions with Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (third right in the photo) recently presided over a meeting with the Chairman of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, Phillip Henriques, (third left) and members of the Jamaica Air Traffic Controllers Association (from right) Treasurer Maurice Smith, President Kurt Solomon and Vice President Sean Blair.

Sharing in the moment are Senior Communications Strategist in the Ministry of Tourism Delano Seiveright (left) and Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board John Lynch.

The group met at the Minister’s New Kingston office on April 10, 2019 to provide updates on the sector.

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

Seychelles present at Access Luxury Travel Show Workshop in capital city of Czech Republic

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The Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) was present at the seventh Edition of the Access Luxury Travel Show Workshop held on Monday March 11, 2019, at the Kaiserstejnsky Palac in the city of Prague.

The opportunity gave the STB team the chance to meet major partners on the Czech market, which is one of the strongest economies in Central Europe and has shown growing interest in luxury travel over the past few years.

The workshop, which was attended by about 86 participants including Tour Operators, Travel Agents and airline companies was a series of pre-scheduled one on one meetings, presentations and free flow workshop. The evening ended with a networking cocktail and a Raffle draw.

Ms. Myra Fanchette, Paris based STB Senior Marketing Executive represented the organisation at the event, during which she presented Seychelles as a multi-faceted holiday destination offering a plethora of possibilities for leisure and relaxation.

The Destination’s representative through STB, stood alongside 19 other exhibitors including the Constance Hotels & Resorts, few Destination Management Companies, hotel representative from Maldives and the Jamaica Tourism Board.

Ms. Fanchette mentioned that STB’s participation at the Access Luxury Travel Show Workshop opened doors for new business relationships between the service providers from the Czech Republic and STB.

“It was an ideal platform for STB to meet with new Travel Agencies and Tour Operators, which so far Seychelles does not appear in their portfolio and they have demonstrated great interest in new destinations. We also maximised on our presence at the event to meet with our existing partners who wanted to know about any latest developments on the destination and discussed plans and activities for the year,” said Ms. Fanchette.

The Czech Republic has seen an increase of 43% on the visitor’s arrival from January to March 2019, compared to the same period last year. This is very encouraging and our continuous efforts to enhance the growth on the Eastern European markets are ongoing with various activities planned for the year, the next STB appearance will be on a dedicated Eastern Europe Roadshow, which will be held from May 27 to 30, 2019 in four different cities.

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Bartlett hosts successful community meeting with Jamaican Diaspora in the UK

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says his recent meeting with key members of the Jamaican Diaspora in London was very successful.

Speaking at a community meeting, held at the Jamaican High Commission in London, United Kingdom, yesterday, Minister Bartlett spoke of the importance and impact of the UK and global diaspora on the economy of Jamaica. He also commented that nobody can promote and advocate for Jamaica better than Jamaicans living around the world.

With visitor figures for January – March 2019 already outperforming the previous period in 2018 by 13 per cent, Minister Bartlett updated the diaspora community on the island’s key tourism developments for the year ahead including 10,000 additional rooms by the end of 2020.

He also highlighted the new graduate school for hospitality management and tourism and the wider upskilling programs and qualification opportunities for Jamaicans on the island, to continue to grow the direct economic benefits for the workers of the tourism industry first hand.

“Making up 10 per cent of all arrivals into Jamaica each year, and with one in five workers in the Caribbean employed by tourism, it’s important that we do not underestimate its penetration because if we do, we will lose sight of the fact that almost everyone in Jamaica has their being and sustenance connected to tourism.

Working closely with our diaspora communities around the world is vital to promoting our unique tourism message and we value them as advocates and ambassadors hugely,” said Minister Bartlett.

Minister Bartlett also talked in detail about the importance of the recently launched Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre in Jamaica. A first of its kind, the Centre offers a global tourism resource dedicated to research and analysis on destination preparedness, management and recovery from disruptions or crises around the world which is being pioneered at the University of the West Indies.

Minister Bartlett, who represented Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness at the Caribbean Council’s House of Lords Annual reception in London, returned to the island today.

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