For Immediate Release

Where press releases are breaking news

Miss Nigeria and Miss India to Visit Jamaica in March 2020

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced that Miss World finalists from Nigeria and India have accepted the Government’s invitation to visit Jamaica, following their enthusiastic display of support for the crowning of Jamaica’s Toni-Ann Singh, as Miss World 2019.

The Minister made the announcement during a lunch, hosted for Singh and her family on Saturday, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, in Kingston.

“I am very pleased to share that Miss Nigeria, Nyekachi Douglas and Miss India, Suman Rao, will come to Jamaica….the time we are looking at is the first week of March, 2020. We are very excited to welcome them to the island and show them our warm Jamaican hospitality,” said the Minister.

The Minister first announced that the Government of Jamaica would be extending invitations to the contestants during his remarks at the second annual Golden Tourism Day Awards, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on December 15, 2019.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister noted that the Government would make the necessary arrangements to host the beauty contestants, and will ensure that they “have the best vacation that they could hope for, in the best destination that they could ever think of, and to also make sure that Jamaica remains top of mind.”

The Golden Tourism Day Awards was organized by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and the Ministry of Tourism. The gala event recognizes Tourism workers who have given 50 years or more of service to the industry.

Some 34 awardees who have served the industry as raft captains, craft traders, ground transportation operators, hoteliers, in-bond store operators, tour operators and Red Cap Porters were lauded for their remarkable contribution.

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

Bartlett to Invite Miss World Finalists to Visit Jamaica

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says that Jamaica will be extending invitations to Miss World finalists Miss Nigeria, Nyekachi Douglas and Miss India, Suman Rao, following Jamaica’s Toni-Ann Singh’s historic win on Saturday.

Speaking at the second annual Golden Tourism Day Awards, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre yesterday, the Tourism Minister said that, “This weekend was a very powerful one for us in Jamaica… Our very own Toni-Ann Singh was named the beauty of the world.”

He added that, in celebration of this, “ the Director of Tourism, the Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board and I will collaborate with Minister Grange to invite not just Miss Nigeria who showed love and friendship but also Miss India, because we think it will be wonderful to have them in Jamaica.”

The Minister noted that the Government would make the necessary arrangements to host the beauty contestants, and will ensure that they “have the best vacation that they could hope for, in the best destination that they could ever think of, and to also make sure that Jamaica remains top of mind.”

Miss Nigeria, Nyekachi Douglas rose to popularity, because of her reaction to Singh’s win in London.  The reaction, which has since gone viral, had millions of social media users sharing that the genuine show of joy for Miss Jamaica’s win, is an example of how friends should support each other.

In an Instagram video after the competition, she described Singh as “amazing” and a big supporter of her fellow contestants.

Singh is the 69th Miss World and 4th Jamaican to take the title.  Miss World France, Ophely Mezino was the runner up, and Miss World India, Suman Rao placed third at the event that saw contestants from 111 countries competing in London for the crown.

“We are changing our tagline to ‘Jamaica the heartbeat of the world’, and in no other way was it expressed than in London when Toni-Ann became Miss World, becoming the 4th Jamaican to be so accorded,” he said.

The Minister made the announcement during second Golden Tourism Day Awards, which was organized by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and the Ministry of Tourism. The gala event recognizes Tourism workers who have given 50 years or more of service to the industry.

Some 34 awardees who have served the industry as raft captains, craft traders, ground transportation operators, hoteliers, in-bond store operators, tour operators and Red Cap Porters were lauded for their remarkable contribution.

“We love you, we respect you and we honor you tonight. This process of sighting good work – identifying [awardees] first of all, then positioning and celebrating you is critical. Tonight says to you that a grateful nation of people honour your work, respects your efforts and wish you well,” said Bartlett to the awardees.

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

New nonstop JFK-Mobay flight to further boost Jamaica tourist arrivals

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Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon Edmund Bartlett and United States Ambassador to Jamaica, Donald Tapia, along with a raft of officials welcomed the commencement of daily nonstop American Airlines service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport today. 

American Airlines flight # 1349 arrived at 10:40a.m today with passengers and crew being treated to a warm welcome by officials complete with a performance by a Jamaican mento band.

Ambassador Tapia noted that, “The US and Jamaica have had a great and long history of diplomatic relations which includes strong airlift arrangements. Today is another representation of the strong ties between both countries which will positively impact Jamaica’s tourism and our largest carrier.”

Meanwhile Bartlett welcomed the reintroduced service noting that, “The Northeast region continues to be a strong performer for us as a destination in terms of arrivals. For the summer period, May to September 2019, the US market region recorded a 9.3 percent increase in arrivals with 785,055 visitors compared to the 718,531 visitors during the corresponding period last year.

During that period, the Northeast outpaced the overall US market and saw an increase of 13.3 percent during the same period. While stopover arrivals from the US also recorded an increase of 11.1 percent for September 2019, the Northeast again outperformed the national average and grew by 18.1 percent. This reintroduced service augurs well for us as a destination.”

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Homer Davis, Mr. Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Dr. Rafael Echvarne, CEO, MBJ Airports Limited, Mr. Omar Robinson, President, Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Mr. Wellesley Joseph, AA Senior Regional Manager, Western Caribbean were among the specially invited guests at the flight arrival briefing.

Meanwhile, Senior Advisor/Strategist, Delano Seiveright pointed out that the new American Airlines service comes within the frame of increased flights between the United States and Jamaica, “There is daily nonstop Delta Airlines service between Detroit, Michigan and Montego Bay starting next month. Jamaica has also been benefitting from several other new flight services including new nonstop flights between Dallas, Texas and Montego Bay by Sun Country Airlines; St Louis and Montego Bay by Southwest airlines and increased frequency of flights into both Kingston and Montego Bay by Jetblue and Delta Airlines.”

He further noted that the increasing buoyancy in the tourism space is attributable to Minister Bartlett’s consistent piloting of specific growth inducing efforts.  “This includes further cementing and also opening up new source markets, including in Latin America and Europe; more new rooms; more new flights, closer collaboration with cruise operators; first-rate relationships with non-traditional players like Airbnb, among other things that represents the very cornerstone of our aggressive tourism growth strategy.”

American Airlines offers its 200 million annual customers 6,800 daily flights to more than 365 destinations in 61 countries from its hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C.

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

Amatterra Jamaica inks deal with Marriott International for first Marriott all-inclusive resort in Jamaica

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The architects of Jamaica’s largest integrated tourism real estate development, the Keith and Paula Russell led Amaterra Jamaica Group, have entered into a hotel management operator agreement with award-winning global travel company, Marriott International.

The official signing took place this evening in Montego Bay, Jamaica in the presence of Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, Industry Minister, Audley Shaw, JAMPRO President Diane Edwards and Jampro Board Directors Delano Seiveright and Ian Levy.

Responding to consumers’ growing desire around the world for premium, worry-free vacations, Marriott International announced in August that it is launching an all-inclusive platform to serve this increasingly popular vacation segment. Based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, Marriott International’s portfolio currently encompasses more than 7,200 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 134 countries and territories.

The company plans to build its new platform by leveraging seven of its established full-service and luxury brands.

In partnering with Amaterra Jamaica Limited, Marriott will further expand its all-inclusive portfolio in popular, leisure destinations worldwide and bring the first Marriott Hotels branded all-inclusive property to Jamaica, providing its 137 million Marriott Bonvoy members with the opportunity to enjoy a new vacation option in the popular destination.

Amaterra’s 800-room flagship development will be located 25 miles east of Montego Bay airport on the island’s north coast and is set on two miles of white sand beach. Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2020 and completed in 2022.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, noted that the development forms a key part of the, “Largest expansion of hotel room stock in Jamaica’s history representing the most powerful week in investment developments for the tourism industry, with the Marriot’s entry being a major step in the right direction.” Bartlett also listed an array of initiatives already bearing fruit in deepening linkages, broadening human capital development for tourism workers and spreading the benefits of tourism further afield.

Commenting on the partnership with Marriott International, Amaterra Group, Chairman Keith Russell noted, “The Amaterra Group is excited to welcome Marriott International as our Hotel Management Operator. The Marriott brand is internationally renowned and well respected and we couldn’t be happier to have them on board and be one of their first all-inclusive properties globally. This is a great step not only for Amaterra but also the Jamaican tourism industry and we look forward to partnering with Marriott’s other iconic brands as we go forward.”

Laurent de Kousemaeker, Chief Development Officer for Marriott International in the Caribbean and Latin America remarked, “We are thrilled to partner with Amaterra on this exciting project. Jamaica is a key destination for our new All-Inclusive brand extensions. We are pleased to start off with a flagship Marriott All-Inclusive resort project and confident that Amaterra has the vision to bring it to life on the island.”

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

Bartlett congratulates S Hotel and Kanopi House on new Condé Nast Traveler best hotels rankings

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Luxury and lifestyle travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler, has ranked S Hotel in Montego Bay and the Kanopi House in Portland as #1 and #6 best hotels in the Caribbean and Central America, respectively, in its 32nd annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey.

The 120-room S Hotel, owned and operated by the Crissa Group, was also ranked the 36th Best Hotel in the World.

Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett extended congratulations to the hoteliers, whose accolades will further promote Jamaica as the destination of choice for the region.

“I wholeheartedly congratulate the management and staff of the S Hotel and the Kanopi House for being listed in the 2019 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards list.  These accolades will go a far way in helping us to promote brand Jamaica to new audiences,” said the Minister.

He further noted that, “I am particularly proud of the S Hotel which has ranked #1, after being operational for less than a year. The S Hotel is Jamaican owned and Jamaican managed and we are exceptionally proud of Christopher Issa’s undivided commitment and dedication to the tourism sector and to his country. We look forward to hearing more about the many other accolades to come.”

The Best Hotels in the World list ranked the 50 best hotels in the world according to 600,000 registered voters from the Condé Nast Traveler’s site.

The magazine described the S Hotel property as having “a bit of South Beach glitz” with ocean view rooms that “are big enough to pass for apartments in some big cities.” It also lauded the property for “artfully combining discreet urban sophistication and a laidback resort lifestyle offering guests an authentic Jamaican cultural experience.”

The Kanopi House is a collection of eco-chic treehouses nestled high amongst 100-foot Banyans and rooted deep in Jamaican culture.  The treehouses were designed and built by owners Brian and Jennifer Hew on six-acres in Portland, Jamaica.

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

Jamaica Tourism Minister Bartlett announces Luxury Planet Hotel for Jamaica

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Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett today announced that a Sunwing Travel Group led luxury Planet Hollywood Hotel & Resort will break ground in Trelawny next year.

This follows a meeting in Toronto, Canada today with President and CEO of Sunwing Travel Group, Stephen Hunter. Minister Bartlett said it was agreed that the development of the over 600 room hotel will move forward.

“The addition of these rooms to Trelawny will give the area a major boost in terms of job creation, linkages with many other areas of the Jamaican economy including agriculture and other social and economic opportunities. It will also impact our overall arrivals for the country which continues to see unprecedented growth in visitors and earnings,” said Minister Bartlett.

Planet Hollywood Hotels & Resorts offer an engaging and interactive experience, incorporating popular culture from movies, music, sports, and entertainment into every guest’s stay and is one of world’s most recognizable brands.

“Additional room stock remains a pillar in ensuring Jamaica has new and exciting offerings to attract more visitors to our shores. This is part of our strategic planning to keep Jamaica top of mind and boost our arrivals and earnings,” added Minister Bartlett.

The Minister is in Canada with Jamaica Tourist Board officials including JTB Head Donovan White for a series of meetings with key stakeholders. 

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

Message by Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett for World Tourism Day 2019

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My fellow tourism workers and stakeholders in the industry, today we join the world in celebrating World Tourism Day, under the theme: ‘Tourism and Jobs: a better future for all.’

World Tourism Day is commemorated each year with celebrations led by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNTWO). Its purpose is to foster awareness among the global community of tourism’s social, cultural, political and economic value and the contribution the sector can make in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.

According to the UNWTO, tourism is a major source of employment globally because of its labor-intensive nature and the significant multiplier effect on employment in related sectors. It is estimated that one job in the core tourism sector creates about one-and-a-half additional or indirect jobs in the tourism-related economy. Overall tourism accounts for one in ten jobs worldwide.

Tourism is regarded as the fastest growing industry, contributing a great deal to economies around the world. In fact, tourism accounts for 11 per cent of global GDP, second only to the finance and banking industry’s 19 percent.Jamaica’s tourism growth mirrors the growth globally. Tourism is our top foreign exchange earner, a major job creator and a driving force for economic growth. Locally it contributes 9% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and about 20 percent of GDP, in terms of revenue.

Earnings in the tourism sector also increased from US$3 billion in 2017 to US$3.3 billion in 2018. It is currently increasing at 8.4 percent and is expected to reach US$3.7 billion in 2019.

It is also important to note that, as of January 2019 the tourism sector employed 120,500 people, or nine percent of Jamaica’s labor force, while generating indirect jobs for another 250,000 persons, or one in every 5 Jamaicans.
These jobs are linked in sectors such as technology, agriculture, the creative industries, manufacturing, transportation and other services.

Employment in hotels and restaurants rose by four percent between January 2017 and January 2019 — this represents about 5,000 more jobs created, than in the previous two-year period. Central to this growth is you, the workers of the industry.

This tourism growth underscores the invaluable worth of the sector as a powerful driver of economic and social development. The continued growth of the tourism sector in Jamaica will depend on the right people with the right skills being available to meet the new human capital demands of the sector.

The tourism industry has been changing globally, with technology being a driving force in knowledge and innovation. Technology is changing the way in which business models were being conducted and changing the way in which we understand things.

Therefore, we have been building the capacity of our workers to better meet the needs of the industry in this new ‘internet of things’. We want to appeal to our people who are deeply interested in uniting the new values that this technology will bring to make us fit for purpose and more so, remain fashionable and relevant.

The Tourism Linkages Network is one such initiative within the Ministry, which continues to find creative ways to ensure that the benefits of tourism filter down to the average Jamaican and foster economic growth.

They have developed a number of business-to-business initiatives such as Speed Networking, Christmas in July and Agri-Linkages Exchange (ALEX), Jamaica Suppliers Directory and the National Community Tourism Portal, which allow smaller players in the industry to get a slice of the tourism pie.

Through the Tourism Enhancement Fund, we have created, the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI), which is a pathway institution that provides international accreditation for our workers who are competent on the job but not certified.

Some 650 high-school students across the island are also benefitting from the JCTI’s $100-million Hospitality and Tourism Management Program (HTMP), which will see them gaining internationally recognized certification in the industry.

We have also forged a partnership with the University of the West Indies for a Graduate School of Tourism at its Western Jamaican Campus, which will open next September.

Another critical policy we have put in place to ensure a better future for our tourism workers, is the recently passed Tourism Worker’s Pension Scheme, which is a defined contributory scheme embracing some 350,000 workers across the sector.

Prioritizing human capital development is an absolute necessity, as we seek to improve employment opportunities in the sector and sustain our award-winning and globally competitive tourism product. It is for this reason, we are proud to join the world in celebrating a day, which embraces the theme, “Tourism and Jobs: a better future for all.”

I wholeheartedly thank my team at the Ministry of Tourism as well as our very important stakeholders, for the contribution they have made to the development of this sector – particularly in the provision of training opportunities and a variety of jobs for the people of this great nation of Jamaica.

Hon. Edmund Bartlett, CD, MP
Minister of Tourism

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

Minister Bartlett applauds winners of Jamaica Tourist Board’s Annual Awards at Jamaica Travel Market

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Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has applauded the eight tour operators who won big at the Jamaica Tourist Board’s annual awards at the Jamaica Travel Market gala dinner yesterday.

The awards recognise the UK and Nordic tour operators and agencies that have achieved the largest growth in room night production to Jamaica during 2018 and were presented by Minister Bartlett.

“These tour operators are the faces and voices that help to sell destination Jamaica in this our third largest source market. Their consistent work through marketing the island has ensured that Jamaica remains top of mind as a potential vacation spot,” said Minister Bartlett.

Winners for the largest business growth during 2018 were:

UK Tour Operator – British Airways Holidays
UK Travel Agency/Tour Operator – Lotus / Dial A Flight
UK Online Tour Operator – Love Holidays
UK Charter Tour Operator – TUI UK
Nordic Tour Operator – Ving
UK Long Haul Specialist Tour Operator – Kenwood Travel
UK Caribbean Specialist Travel Company – Sackville Travel
‘Your Choice Award’ – Favourite UK Tour Operator – Virgin Holidays (Scott Edwards)

Minister Bartlett added that, “We gladly acknowledge our dedicated industry partners who have been increasing business to Jamaica and this year we have seen a record number of UK visitors travelling to Jamaica.”

In addition, to the JTB’s annual awards, Jamaican hoteliers and tourism companies voted for their favourite UK tour operator in the Jamaica Tourism Partners ‘Your Choice’ award category. On the night, to raise money for Jamaica Tourist Board’s chosen charity partner, the Sandals Foundation, one lucky winner walked away with holiday to Jamaica courtesy of Sandals and British Airways.

Minister Bartlett is accompanied by Mr. Donovan White, Director of Tourism and will return to the island on September 30, 2019.

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

Tourism Minister to participate in Fourth Jamaica Travel Market in London

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Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett departed the island yesterday to participate in the Jamaica Travel Market (JTM) at the Sopwell House, London. 

The JTM is being organised by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) for the fourth time, to showcase Jamaica as a premiere destination. It provides the ideal Business-to-Business platform for British tour operators and agents, primarily, to meet with Jamaican suppliers and partners directly.

“We are very excited about this event and the entire industry joins us on this activity where we are able to meet with tour operators, travel agents, airlines and all other partners who constitute a particular strength of the market outside of Jamaica,” said Minister Bartlett.

The JTM will take place from September 25-27 ahead of the World Travel Market (WTM), which is also a major promotional platform for the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).

“Jamaica is probably one of the few countries that has taken the steps to have its own travel market outside its country and we try to do it ahead of the biggest travel market in the world. It is an opportunity for Jamaican suppliers to conclude or sign contracts so that when they get to the world travel market, they would have already completed most of their business,” Minister Bartlett said.

The World Travel Market is a major tourism tradeshow that introduces global travel buyers to over 5,000 of the biggest destinations and brands in the world. This year it will feature 11 Jamaican companies, creating the ideal opportunity to meet industry professionals and conduct business deals.

Through its industry networks, the WTM also creates personal and business opportunities while also providing customers with quality contacts, content and communities.

While in London, the Minister and his delegation will take the opportunity to negotiate and finalize the JTB’s UK marketing arrangements, given the likely impact of Brexit on the value of the UK Pound and resultant affordability of travel. 

The Minister will also have discussions with the JTB and key partners about any further implications to the market as a result of the sudden collapse of British travel company Thomas Cook. 

“This travel market event is timely, because it coincides with a disruption that has just happened.  The second largest tour operator and distributor in the tourism industry, Thomas Cook folded a few days ago. The effects of which is devastating to several tourism dependent countries,” said the Minister.

He added: “We know that potentially Jamaica will potentially be affected, to the tune of US$10 million because of the fall-out of approximately 11 million passengers. The good news is that we are moving to cauterise this through arrangements with our partners and the proactive approach that we have utilised to ensure that the fallout to our market will be minimised.

“When we come back from the Jamaica Travel Market, we will be able to give a fuller report in terms of the extent to which we will be able to cover ourselves and protect our market.”

Minister Bartlett is accompanied by Mr. Donovan White, Director of Tourism, and will return to the island on September 30, 2019.

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

Tourism Linkages Network to Develop a “National Herbaceutical Research Project”

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Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett says the development of the herbaceuticals sector is also a priority activity within the Tourism Linkages Network of the Jamaica Ministry Of Tourism, with a national research project currently underway.

The Minister made this statement yesterday, during his participation in a High-level Forum on Medical and Health Tourism, at the twenty-third session of the General Assembly United Nations World Tourism Organization in St. Petersburg, Russia.

“The ongoing research is geared primarily towards exploring the awareness, knowledge and perception of the Jamaican public on the existence and usage of ‘Herbaceutical’ products.

The overall purpose of this study is to explore and locate areas of opportunity, whereby the Government can act on reliable information to design and implement policies and programmes to develop a more robust herbaceutical industry,” said Minister Bartlett.

Research has shown that of the 160 plants known and declared worldwide to have medicinal properties, 80 of these plants are endemic to Jamaica. The term ‘Herbaceutical’ is to be used here to categorize products such as food, cosmetics and medicinal products consisting of a substance produced by the process of drying, crushing or mixing of plant materials.

He noted that “with the use of ‘Herbaceuticals’ as a medicinal alternative among the populace becoming a growing trend in developing countries and with limited publications/ research on the phenomenon, the research will support informed policy making that takes into accounts the views of all relevant stakeholders.”

In April of this year, the Health and Wellness Network of the Ministry of Tourism also partnered with a local research and development lab to organize a Natural skincare product workshop to engage members of the spa, physiotherapy and dermatological community on the use of plant-based ingredients in the development of natural products and its use in economic growth.

“In keeping with its objective to develop the framework for the expansion of Jamaica’s health and wellness tourism product, we remain committed to ensuring a credible and safe health and wellness tourism product through developmental initiatives that enable practitioners to align services with national standards,” said the Minister.

The Minister and his delegation are expected to return from Russia on September 14, 2019.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Corporate Communications

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Tel: (876) 920-4926-30

Fax: (876) 906 1729