For Immediate Release | Official News Wire for the Travel Industry

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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

183 Local Producers Apply to Participate in Virtual Christmas in July Tradeshow

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One hundred and eighty three (183) manufacturers and artisans, have capitalized on the opportunity to display their locally-made corporate gift items for assessment, as they seek to secure their spot among the exhibitors at the first-ever virtual staging of the Jamaica Christmas in July Tradeshow. The local producers all participated in the assessment process at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, over a three-day period, beginning on July 7, 2020.

Candidates were given an opportunity to present products to a panel of assessors, including representatives from the Ministry of Tourism; Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO); Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC); Bureau of Standards; Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA); Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) and Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO).

The items were judged based on design and aesthetics; functionality; pricing; cultural connection and use of local raw-material.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett outlined that: “Successful candidates must show evidence that their products have been made with materials sourced locally; with at least 70 percent of it locally manufactured or assembled. The products should also highlight strong Jamaican cultural influences and themes, ranked favorably in accordance with the guidelines stipulated.”

Director of Pure Chocolate Company, Rennae Johnson (centre) proudly discusses her artisanal chocolate with the Tourism Linkages Network’s Analyst of Productive Sectors, Tisheecka Clarke (right) and Assistant Manager of Marketing Services at the Jamaica Business Development Corporation, Vivette McFarlane. The occasion was an assessment session for the Christmas in July Tradeshow on July 08, 2020 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

Products can be from the categories of fashion and accessories; the arts; processed foods; aromatherapy; and souvenirs, such as desktop solutions and décor. Following the assessment, an evaluation and final selection session will be conducted ahead of the main event, slated for July 23 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

In keeping with social gathering restrictions, that have been introduced to help contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will be hosted virtually, with only a small group of persons present at the venue. However, the public will be able to watch a 2-hour live stream of the event from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, hosted by Emprezz Golding and Christopher Daley, on the social media pages of all the partner entities.

The annual Christmas in July event is hosted by the Tourism Linkages Network of the Ministry of Tourism, in partnership with the JBDC, JMEA, JAMPRO and JHTA. It seeks to provide Jamaican producers of corporate gifts and souvenir products with the opportunity to access a key market segment, while adding uniqueness and creativity to product offerings.

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

Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica Ends Visit with Minister Bartlett

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The Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica, His Excellency Hiromasa Yamazaki, (seen left in the photo) on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, paid a farewell courtesy call on Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices.  

During the meeting, Minister Bartlett thanked the Ambassador for his contribution in strengthening relations between Jamaica and Japan. He also presented him with a token of appreciation.

Ambassador Yamazaki, who was appointed as Japan’s top diplomatic representative in Jamaica in 2017, is slated to conclude his tour of duty shortly.

About the Ministry of Tourism

The Jamaica Ministry of Tourism and its agencies are on a mission to enhance and transform Jamaica’s tourism product, while ensuring that the benefits which flow from the tourism sector are increased for all Jamaicans.  To this end it has implemented policies and strategies that will provide further momentum for tourism as the engine of growth for the Jamaican economy. The Ministry remains committed to ensuring that the tourism sector makes the fullest contribution possible to Jamaica’s economic development, given its tremendous earning potential.

The Ministry is leading the charge to strengthen the linkages between tourism and other sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and entertainment, and in so doing encourages every Jamaican to play their part in improving the tourism product, sustaining investment and modernizing and diversifying the sector to foster growth and job creation for fellow Jamaicans. The Ministry sees all this as critical to Jamaica’s survival and success and has undertaken this process through an inclusive approach, which is driven by the Resort Boards, through wide-scale consultation.

Recognizing that a collaborative effort and a committed partnership between the public and private sectors will be needed to achieve the Ministry’s targets, central to its plans is maintaining and nurturing its relationship with all key stakeholders. In so doing, the Ministry firmly believes that with the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development as its guide and the National Development Plan – Vision 2030 as its bench-mark, together it can achieve its goals for the benefit of all Jamaicans.

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Sandals Foundation Gifts COVID-19 Lounge for Frontline Healthcare Workers

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As public hospitals across the island strengthen their readiness protocol to respond to COVID-19 patients, the St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital has been outfitted by Sandals Foundation with a sterile and private area to serve as a lounge for the doctors and nurses who will be on call in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The facility, which is valued at approximately JMD$386,000 was prepared by the Sandals Foundation as part of a wider COVID-19 relief sponsorship by the United States-based company, Tito’s Handmade Vodka. The vodka company’s philanthropic arm, Love, Tito’s, has donated a total of US$25,000 to support the island’s hospitality workers in the tourism dependent communities affected by the pandemic.

The St. Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital is the main COVID-19 treatment facility for persons in the parishes of St. Ann, Portland and St. Mary. The lounge consists of a sleeping quarter outfitted with a twin bed, a general space with three wipeable recliners and television and a dining space with a microwave, electronic kettle, a refrigerator and a four-seater dining room table.

Speaking at the handover event on Friday, May 8, 2020, Dennis Morgan, Chief Executive Officer at the North East Regional Health Authority noted that the donation is “important in encouraging our frontline workers who are sacrificing their lives every day to take care of persons affected by the virus.”

Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation expressed solidarity with all staff who are at the forefront of fighting this disease.

“We are so grateful for the work that all frontline staff does to save lives and bring a sense of reassurance to the families that are impacted. We hope this lounge will help hospital workers find a sense of comfort in this space designed to help them rest, re-center and recharge,” she said.

The Sandals Foundation has been actively responding to a number of social-economic needs since the pandemic reached the island’s shores.

“We continue to look out for areas to support the people of Jamaica and other Caribbean islands and will work alongside government, non-governmental organizations and corporate partners to provide for the needs of the elderly and most vulnerable. We know that the closure of the tourism industry has made life difficult for a lot of families and so will especially seek to aid communities that rely on tourism to survive,” Clarke said.

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MEDIA CONTACT: 1-888-SANDALS, info@sandals.com

Jamaica Tourism Minister Addresses UNCTAD Report of COVID-19 Fallout

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says that a report published today by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) outlining the projected fallout for the global economy and in particular countries like Jamaica, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism, further underscores the need to restore the sector by reopening on a phased basis and in a safe manner. 

The report outlines that the “world’s tourism sector could lose at least US$1.2 trillion or 1.5% of the global gross domestic product (GDP), having been placed at a standstill for nearly four months due to the coronavirus pandemic.” It further indicates that “the loss could rise to US$2.2 trillion or 2.8% of the world’s GDP if the break in international tourism lasts for eight months, in line with the expected decline in tourism as projected by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).”

The report also lists Jamaica as the country which stands to suffer the greatest economic fallout, with an estimated decline of 11% of GDP, ahead of Thailand (-9%), Croatia (-8%), Portugal (-6%) and the Dominican Republic (-5%), to name a few.

The Minister noted that “as I recently indicated in Parliament, restoring our tourism sector is a matter of economic life and death. The reality is that Jamaica’s economy is dependent on the tourism industry. It contributes 50% of the foreign exchange earnings of the economy and generates 354,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs.” He added that: “Sadly, most of our tourism workers have been displaced due to the pandemic. So, the UNCTAD report underscores the fact that we have to restore the sector as quickly as possible to reverse the impact of COVID-19 on the country’s GDP.”

He explained that “the report also comes against the background of our own projections that Jamaica is expected to lose JA$146 billion from April 2020 to March 2021, due to the downturn in tourism caused by COVID-19.”

Minister Bartlett emphasized that: “The month of July, which promises to show the strongest surge of recovery, must be managed well and the new protocols that we have introduced are designed to enable a more seamless entry of Jamaicans and visitors alike.” He said that “the appointment of a new Resilient Corridor management team, led by Mr. John Byles, further underpins the surveillance and compliance of entities along the corridor and is an added step as we seek to secure the integrity of the process and continue to safeguard the health and well-being of our people.” 

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

Sandals Foundation Investing in People

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Sandals Resorts International created Sandals Foundation, and it has this philosophy:  We have seen that when we invest in one person, we are empowering an entire network of people – their families, friends, communities, and nations who are all set to benefit from their contributions.

“The best part of being involved in this work is knowing that at the end of the day, despite the hard work and sometimes significant challenges, we are helping to make people’s lives better,” said Joseph Wright, Great Shape! Inc, Executive Director.

The challenges that face the Caribbean are as diverse and complex as the people they affect. The communities must battle issues such as poverty, inequality, and violence each day. By working closely with government agencies, civic leaders, and private donors, Sandals is helping to create new sustainable solutions that empower at-risk youth, women, local entrepreneurs, and the underprivileged.

Sandals Programs & Projects

Sandals Resorts and Sandals Foundation: Empowering People

The School of Business Entrepreneurs (Entrepreneurship Training)

“Give a Man a Fish, and You Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Man To Fish, and You Feed Him for a Lifetime.” Entrepreneurial training is designed to provide individuals to develop the requisite skills to identify, start, and nurture successful business, creating employment opportunities for themselves and other members of their communities.

Sandals Resorts and Sandals Foundation: Empowering People

Youth Engagement

Authentic youth engagement benefits communities, organizations, and nations at large. The ability to positively engage at-risk youths is critical to ensuring a positive future for any nation. Young people benefit and gain life skills and academic opportunities through sports, music, skills training, and other intervention programs.

Sandals Resorts and Sandals Foundation: Empowering People

Improving Healthcare

Pre-term babies born in Antigua have a greater fighting chance following the donation of 2 comprehensive Infant Care Centres from the Sandals Foundation (valued at almost $20,000) to the Pediatric Unit of the Mount St. John’s Medical Centre. These machines provide critical care to pre-term babies when the need arises. To date, 299 babies have used these units.

One of the most important aspects of strong communities is good health, and, therefore, Sandals Foundation has been working assiduously alongside medical facilities like Mount St. John’s to help build their capacity by providing access to training, donations of much-needed equipment, and donations of updated technology which link local hospitals to international ones.

These Infant Care Centre machines provide critical care, such as temperature control, monitoring of vitals, weighing, and respiratory assistance to preterm babies when deemed necessary.

Sandals Resorts and Sandals Foundation: Empowering People

Flanker’s Music Program

The Flanker Marching Band is a group of promising youths from the inner city – Flanker community in Montego Bay, Jamaica. During Mega Fam trips, travel agents came together to donate to the Flanker’s Resource Center.

Funding for this program has provided new musical instruments and repair to existing instruments, lessons and tools for weekly theory and practical classes, uniforms for band members, a band coordinator, and examination fees for theory level exams. The band is now performing at a level where it has been paid to play at Sandals Montego Bay area resorts once a week.

“Over my years of musical experience, I have known of organizations assisting with a level of help towards band programs, but Sandals Foundation has taken their quality of assistance to a different level. I’m proud that Sandals Foundation has been the first to have gone through such great lengths to revive the Flanker Marching Band Program,” said Mikel Turner, Band Director.

“Before being part of the band, I didn’t really know how to be a part of a team and how to believe in myself and my abilities. The band gives me something to look forward to and a positive way to express myself,” said band member Renaldo Hendrick.

Sandals Resorts and Sandals Foundation: Empowering People

Disaster Relief

The Sandals Foundation has made a commitment to the entire Caribbean region to respond promptly to national emergencies caused by natural disasters.

The Foundation lobbies support from resort guests, trade partners, travel agents, suppliers, and other organizations to bring relief to communities affected by disaster. Additionally, local organizations that are on the ground are engaged to ensure efforts are sustainable.

Sandals Resorts and Sandals Foundation: Empowering People

SickKids Caribbean

Sandals Foundation continues its partnership with the SickKids Foundation Caribbean program, impacting the islands of the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines. The goal is to provide training and resources to better diagnose and treat children with cancer and serious blood disorders across the Caribbean.

The Sandals Foundation has been instrumental in funding 3 main initiatives:

Nurse Training

Telemedicine Room

Creating a telemedicine room in St. Lucia so local medical experts can present patient cases to SickKids for advice, as well as connect doctors at neighboring islands.

Training

Training of a pediatric oncologist, Dr. Chantelle Browne, who will return to her home country, Barbados, after completing a 2-year fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and become the second pediatric oncologist in the Eastern Caribbean.

“As part of the Division of Hematology and Oncology at SickKids, I will have an opportunity to observe and become immersed in the management of over 22,000 annual patient visits to the Sears Cancer Clinic and the approximately 350 children whom are newly diagnosed with cancer each year in Toronto,” said Dr. Chantelle Brown.

Sandals Resorts and Sandals Foundation: Empowering People

Women Helping Others Achieve (WHOA)

The Sandals Foundation and The Bob Marley Foundation have joined forces to address the chronic issue of gender inequality in the Caribbean. WHOA provides support, mentorship, education, and skills training to empower marginalized women across the region.

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MEDIA CONTACT: 1-888-SANDALS, info@sandals.com

Jamaica Tourism Minister: We Must Meet the Demands of the Post-COVID Generation

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says global tourism players must prepare to meet the new demands of the Gen-C travelers, the post-COVID generation, whose return to travel will be crucial to the recovery of the global economy. 

Making his sectoral debate presentation in Parliament earlier today, the Minister noted that: “As we get to the fulsome recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the coming weeks and months or even a year, we will all have had a shared global experience that is intergenerational.  We are now all part of Generation C – the post-COVID generation. GEN-C will be defined by a societal shift in mindset that will change the way that we look at and do many things.”

He added that: “Post-social distancing, we will go back to offices and workplaces, and eventually back to a world that will include seeing friends and family, perhaps smaller gatherings, reimagined cultural and sporting events, and eventually to GEN-C travel. We must therefore prepare to welcome these GEN-C travelers in a safe and seamless way, to protect lives while securing our livelihoods.”

The Minister pointed to data that shows that the impact of their return to travelling will be significant, as across the world, travel and tourism account for 11% of the world’s GDP and creates more than 320 million jobs for workers serving 1.4 billion travellers annually.

“These numbers do not tell the whole story.  They are just part of a connected global economy of which travel and tourism are the lifeblood — various sectors from technology, hospitality construction, finance, to agriculture are all interdependent with travel and tourism,” said Minister Bartlett.

One key initiative that the Ministry of Tourism has undertaken to facilitate GEN-C travel is the formulation of world-class tourism health and safety protocols. The Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), an agency of the Ministry, along with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), formulated the tourism protocols, following extensive consultation with the Ministries of Health, National Security and Foreign Affairs as well as other local and international partners.

Minister Bartlett explained that “our protocols have received the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) ‘Safe Travels’ stamp, which will allow travellers to recognize governments and companies around the world that have adopted health and hygiene global standardized protocols.” He underscored that the fundamental elements of the tourism protocols include sanitization, face masks and personal protective equipment, physical distancing, training and real-time health monitoring and reporting.

Another key initiative, which is critical to restarting the tourism economy and GEN-C travel, is the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre. The Centre, which is housed at the University of the West Indies, has so far developed satellite centres around the world, including in Seychelles, South Africa, Nigeria and Morocco.

The Centre is set to host a virtual panel discussion tomorrow (June 25), with experts from around the world, who will be sharing ideas and solutions around issues vital to restarting the global travel industry.

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

Sandals Resorts Has One Important Mandate: Adopt a School

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When Gordon “Butch” Stewart opened his first Sandals Resort, he had one very important mandate: the resort would be required to adopt a school in the community. Team members were to care for it and ensure that the facilities and students had what was needed to be successful. That was more than thirty years ago, and the beginning of a corporate commitment to community and a tradition of service that Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has nurtured.

“We have the resources, therefore, the responsibility to act,” says Stewart, Chairman and Founder of Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts.

Today, every resort under the Sandals Resorts InternationaI banner is required to adopt schools and in some cases entire communities to ensure that the messages of health, safety, environmental concern, community, and opportunity are shared as much as possible. From helping to provide new computer labs and building additional classrooms to giving scholarships for academically bright but needy students and hosting career days, SRI resort teams continually provide mentorship and share their knowledge and resources with their Caribbean neighbors.

When Sandals Resorts Adopts a School, It Adopts the Community
Sandals Resorts in the community.

In 2007, Sandals Resorts earned the Condé Nast Traveler World Savers Award for the Adopt-A-School program and their work in the Caribbean communities. For more than 25 years, Condé Nast has recognized the world’s best hotels, cruise ships, and airlines.

World-renowned Sandals and Beaches Resorts has transformed from one brand and one resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, to become one of the most well-known and award-winning hospitality names in the world. With 5 brands and 24 properties in 7 countries including Antigua, The Bahamas, Grenada, Barbados, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Turks and Caicos, Sandals and Beaches Resorts is the undisputed leader of Caribbean vacation experiences and remains fiercely committed to the region, dedicating itself to innovative resort development that in the words of Chairman and Founder Gordon “Butch” Stewart, “exceed expectations” for guests, associates, and the people who call the Caribbean home.

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MEDIA CONTACT: 1-888-SANDALS, info@sandals.com

Jamaica Tourism Minister Bartlett Tours Norman Manley International Airport

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Today, the Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, toured Norman Manley International Airport to examine safeguards that have been put in place to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

In the main photo, Andre Lewis, Operations Manager, PAC Kingston, assists Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (right in the photo) as he examines one of the many new plexiglass screens that have been installed at the Norman Manley International Airport to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Minister Bartlett toured the facility recently to examine the level of preparedness for the reopening of the nation’s borders to tourists on June 15, 2020. The Minister expressed satisfaction with the measures that have been put in place to safeguard front-line workers and passengers alike, including the installation of numerous automated hand sanitizing stations, decals to facilitate social distancing and a quarantine area. 

Here (below), Jamaica Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, (right) tests one of the many automated hand-sanitizing machines that have been installed at the Norman Manley International Airport to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, as CEO of PAC Kingston, operators of the facility, and Andre Lewis, Operations Manager, PAC Kingston look on.

Norman Manley International Airport, formerly known as Palisadoes Airport, is an international airport serving Kingston, Jamaica, and is located south of the island 19 kilometers from the center of New Kingston.

Total passenger movements are approximately 1.5 million annually with cargo and mail accounting for over 12 million kilograms. The airport generates over 13,000 direct and indirect jobs with 13 scheduled airlines serving many international destinations, serving both the business and leisure markets.

The airport lies adjacent to Kingston Harbour, the world’s seventh largest natural harbor. It is in close proximity to the commercial and cultural capital city of Kingston (20 minutes). A major economic catalyst for the Kingston Metropolitan Area, the economic activity is valued at an estimated JA $15.2 billion (equivalent to 5.6% of GDP).

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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 Brings Virtual Experience to Travelers

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Jamaica, Heartbeat of the World, has curated a care package to refresh the spirit and allow travelers to virtually experience its vibrant culture. Available through VisitJamaica’s Instagram and YouTube channels, the destination is offering an array of music, at-home-recipes, DIY spa treatments, and social media games, recreating Jamaica’s sights, sounds, and tastes for its travelers until the time is right again to travel.

Sounds

Music lovers can jam to uplifting tunes from the “Every Little Thing is Gonna Be Alright” Spotify playlist. The lively and rhythmic compilation of Jamaica’s most beloved songs is a reminder to keep our heads high with hits from Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Beenie Man and many more.

Sights

Puzzle Packs, Jamaica’s new interactive game on Instagram, has users guess a popular location in Jamaica by matching nine picturesque pieces to complete the puzzle. A new puzzle pack will launch each week for a month where five lucky winners will be chosen per week to have the chance to win a Vacation Box filled with goodies to help unwind and chill, ‘Jamaican style.’ The Puzzle Packs are set to launch on Thursday, June 11th.

Tastes

Aspiring home chefs and mixologists can try out new recipes and cocktails from renowned Jamaican chefs to add a little bit of the island to their kitchen. Recreate the two-time Food Network Chopped Champion, Chef Andre Fowles’ quick and savory pepper shrimp pasta recipe from the comforts of your own home. Test out sister chefs Suzanne and Michelle Rousseau’s Jamaican twist on a classic with a spicy creamy tomato soup and pepper grilled cheese with pepper jelly on hardo bread. For virtual happy hours and to celebrate another week of responsible social distancing, try a hand at Canadian-based Private Chef Noel Cunningham’s tropical beverage with his Blue Lagoon cocktail using vodka, blue curacao, and lemonade.

Relax

Spa aficionados can relax and unwind by turning on some ocean sounds and setting up a gentle breeze to create a luxury spa retreat from the comfort of home. For a nourishing body scrub, the Blackwell Rum brown sugar scrub applied during a warm shower will rejuvenate and refresh. This simple rum infused recipe combines two cups of golden-brown sugar, half cup of Blackwell Rum with one cup of heated coconut oil to soften and smooth the skin.

Through this virtual care package, the Jamaica Tourist Board aims to bring the island to its beloved travelers around the world until the destination can welcome them again in person.

For more information on Jamaica, please go to www.visitjamaica.com

About Jamaica Tourist Board

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.  

This year, the JTB was declared the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board by the World Travel Awards (WTA) for the thirteenth consecutive year and Jamaica was declared the Caribbean’s Leading Destination for the fifteenth consecutive year. Jamaica also earned the WTA award for the World’s Leading Cruise Destination and Leading Meetings & Conference Centre for the Montego Bay Convention Centre. Most recently, Jamaica was named as one of the “Best Places to Go in 2020” according to CNN, Bloomberg and Forbes. Jamaica was awarded three gold 2020 Travvy Awards including Best Culinary Destination, Caribbean/Bahamas; Best Tourism Board Overall and Best Tourism Board, Caribbean/Bahamas. In 2019, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #1 Caribbean Destination and #14 Best Destination in the World. In 2018, the International Council of the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) named Jamaica the Destination of the Year and TravAlliance Media named JTB Best Tourism Board, and Jamaica as Best Culinary Destination, Best Wedding Destination and Best Honeymoon Destination. Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB’s Website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422).  Follow the JTB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.islandbuzzjamaica.com.

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Media Contacts: Briahnna Gibson / Natalia Lopez, Finn Partners, Jamaica@finnpartners.com