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Bartlett Lobbies for Power Star Michael Rainey Jr. to be a Local Youth Ambassador

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Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett says that actor Michael Rainey, Jr., best known for his role as Tariq St. Patrick on Starz network’s hit drama series Power, is an ideal candidate to become an official Jamaica Youth Ambassador for the country.

The Minister made this announcement during a recent courtesy call at the Minister’s New Kingston offices, where  the young actor who was accompanied by his mother Shauna Small; publicist, JLexy Brooks, and Management Assistant, Jared Pessoa.

“This is a good moment, I am really inspired [by you] myself. The response you probably expected is that he is great for tourism, and you are, but you are much more than that. Michael is great to be a role model for Jamaica’s youth who need to have a sense of what they can accomplish,” said Minister Bartlett.

“I would love to have him have another conversation with us, which is beyond tourism where we can look at him in a more extensive way to give inspiration not just to a market that is going to need his image but to a country that is going to need his kind of efforts, especially coming out of Covid-19,” he added.

Rainey, who recently received his Jamaican citizenship, is a lead actor on Power Book II: Ghost, which is currently the Starz network’s most-watched series.

Despite his early rise to fame, the 20-year-old Rainey says his primary goal is to use his platform to inspire youth to acknowledge their endless potential and to work hard to achieve their dream careers.

“The big thing in my career is being able to inspire kids my age or even younger than me to know that they can do whatever they want in life. Whether it is to be an activist, or play basketball or play football or be a doctor or anything.

I just want to make sure kids know that it is possible and there is always faith in anything you do. That is definitely what I enjoy the most about being in that position,” said Rainey.

In the drama, Michael leads a star studded cast, which is a direct spin off from the hit series Power. Michael starred as Tariq St. Patrick in the hit series Power, in a leading role alongside Omari Hardwick, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, and Naturi Naughton. 

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MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications Division, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4924, Fax: 906-1729

Bartlett Mourns Death of Shipping Stalwart Harry Maragh

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Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett has expressed condolences to the family and loved-ones of the late Harriat “Harry” Maragh, past president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) and chairman of Lannaman & Morris Group of Companies.

“I was very saddened to learn about the passing of one of Jamaica’s stalwarts in the tourism and shipping industries, Harry Maragh. He was always pleasant and the consummate professional. This is indeed a great loss for our industry and he will be truly missed,” said Minister Bartlett.

Maragh’s company Lannaman and Morris is credited as the shipping agent for cruise lines such as Carnival Cruise, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Holland America, Costa Cruises and Aida Cruises. He also the founding manager of the Ocho Rios Cruise Ship Terminal.  Over the years, Lannaman & Morris has become the leading cruise agent, representing in excess of 75 per cent of all cruises that call at Jamaican ports.

“I greatly admire our homegrown talent who start from humble beginnings and go on to do great things for the nation.  He started as a validating/traffic clerk with Lannaman & Morris and later bought the company which has represents in excess of 75 per cent of all cruise lines that call on Jamaica. The success of our industry could not have happened without the stewardship of this great Jamaican.

I offer my sincere condolences to his wife Charmaine and the rest of their family as well as to his staff, who I am sure will miss him dearly. May God continue to provide you comfort during this very difficult period of mourning,” said Minister Bartlett.

In expressing her condolences, Executive Director of the Jamaica Vacations Ltd (JAMVAC), Joy Roberts said, “As one of the main agents for cruise ships with the responsibility of acting as the agent for major cruise ships arriving at our ports, we have worked very closely with Lannamans. Mr. Maragh was very hands-on as CEO, always approachable and reliable, always willing to assist when challenges arise.”

“He was a source of knowledge, expertise and was a great support due to his experience and relationship with the cruise lines. He assisted with giving invaluable advice on the industry and nurtured collaborations between Jamaican stakeholders and cruise executives. He continued to always make that call and assist to the very end. His passing will be a great loss for the cruise industry,” she added.

Maragh served on the Tourism Enhancement Fund’s board of directors as chairman of the audit sub-committee and the human resources sub-committee from June 2012 to February 2016.  At the time of his passing, Harry Maragh was chairman of the Kingston Port Workers Superannuation Fund, a post he had held since 2003. He was also a director of Express Catering and Margaritaville Turks & Caicos.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications Division, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4924, Fax: 906-1729

Santa Arrives in The Bahamas for an Extended Stay on Stocking Island

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This year has been long and taxing for everyone — even the world’s jolliest. As an essential worker, Santa’s annual duties this year came with the added pressure of spreading more cheer than ever before.

As a token of appreciation, The Bahamas invited Santa to hang up his suit and hat after the holidays and spend the next year defrosting on Stocking Island in the picturesque Exuma Cays. By gifting Santa and Mrs. Claus complimentary BEATS visas (Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay), they are now able to unwind and experience The Bahamas’ most merry offerings until next Christmas.

Trading snowy boots for bare feet on one of the most beautiful beaches in The Bahamas and where they will feel right at home, Mr. and Mrs. Claus are now soaking up the sun on Jolly Hall Beach, which is reserved especially for The Clauses and their elves. And, thanks to the seclusion of the Out Islands of The Bahamas, they can remain socially distant and out of the public eye on Stocking Island, while they relax and enjoy all the outdoor adventures The Bahamas has to offer.  

“Santa wasn’t the only one working overtime this year; we know that people everywhere need a break and change of scenery,” said Joy Jibrilu, Director General, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation. “The Bahamas welcomes paradise seekers of all kinds to embrace island-time, and we offer a variety of island escapes perfect to suit each visitor’s unique remote working needs.”

The Bahamas has 16 unique islands for travelers to choose from, each with its own individual personality, seclusion and adventure. In The Bahamas, outdoor activities are aplenty, making the destination perfect for a safe, socially distant getaway. A full list of current travel offers can be found on Bahamas.com/deals.

Given that Santa and Mrs. Claus are immune to COVID-19 and in recognition of their hard work during the 2020 holiday season, the Director General is honoured to grant them honourary Travel Health Visas.  Travel entry requirements for the rest of Santa’s entourage and all other visitors can be found on Bahamas.com/travelupdates — including details specifically related to testing and obtaining The Bahamas Travel Health Visa.

Additional details related to the BEATS program application, such as costs and frequently asked questions, are available at BahamasBeats.com.

ABOUT THE BAHAMAS

With over 700 islands and cays, and 16 unique island destinations, The Bahamas lies just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, offering an easy fly away escape that transports travelers away from their everyday. The Islands of The Bahamas have world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of the earth’s most spectacular water and beaches waiting for families, couples and adventurers. Explore all the islands have to offer at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram to see why It’s Better in The Bahamas.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Anita Johnson-Patty, General Manager, Global Communications

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation

[email protected]

Weber Shandwick, Public Relations

[email protected]

Tourism on Agenda for Renewed Jamaica-Nigeria Bilateral Talks

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Tourism is expected to be a major item on the agenda of talks to take place soon in Abuja, Nigeria, aimed at formalizing a new Jamaica-Nigeria bilateral agreement between the two nations.

Previously set for earlier this year, the talks were postponed due to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic but with a direct air link now open between the two countries, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett and Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon. Geoffrey Onyeama are expressing optimism of it happening soon.

“For many years, we have been looking at formalizing a new bilateral agreement between Jamaica and Nigeria; now the contents of that are being put together. We were to have had a meeting in Abuja in April of this year; it didn’t happen because of Covid but is expected to happen soon,” said Minister Bartlett following a closed door meeting with Minister Onyeama at the Round Hill Hotel in Montego Bay last night.  He is hoping “that in the frame of all of that will be discussions with regards to tourism collaboration between the two countries.”

The Tourism Minister identified marketing through the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) as well as product development and destination assurance strategy developed by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), presented to the world as a new way of dealing with post-Covid tourism, as possible points of collaboration for which a technical corporation agreement can be arrived at.

Also on the cards is the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, which was established by Jamaica to assess, forecast, mitigate and managing risks related to tourism resilience, caused by various disruptive factors. “We have already established a satellite in Kenya for East Africa and we really would love to have one established in either Abuja or Lagos for West Africa,” said Minister Bartlett. An arrangement is already under consideration and will be pursued involving the University of the West Indies (Mona), which hosts the resilience centre in Jamaica, and a university in Nigeria.

Minister Onyeama concurred that “We now have the framework in place to strengthen the cooperation and to take it to another level and we are going to pursue that. Covid has delayed it but it has not stopped it so we are going to cooperate in different areas, in trade, agriculture, sports, you name it, and really fuse the two countries and our peoples together.”

He stated that Jamaica “has a comparative advantage in tourism, which plays an enormous role in the economy, job creation and so on, so we really feel that we would like for you to share that experience with us. We believe it will be a game changer. We’re looking at diversifying our economy; we’ve depended too much on oil and the petroleum sector and there are gold mines out there in other sectors that can really transform our economy and provide jobs for our teeming population of 200 million.”

The Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister said his country had a youthful population with most being in the age range of 30 years “so we believe with our brothers and sisters in Jamaica that we can transform the future of both of us into real wins. We’re looking at prosperity for our people and we believe that this partnership can deliver that for our two countries.”

He also expressed an interest in learning about Jamaica’s culinary strategy. “Nigeria has a wide variety of dishes and we were told that your ackee was voted by National Geographic as the world’s second best national dish, so I think there’s some knowledge that you have there that we also want to tap into,” he said.

On December 21, the historical link between Jamaica and Nigeria was strengthened with the first non-stop flight from Lagos landing at the Sangster International Airport. Among those on board with the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister was Jamaica’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Esmond Reid. Last night he said this direct flight “is the beginning of a transformed relationship, not just for Jamaica-Nigeria, but for Africa and the Caribbean and Jamaica stands ready to play a central role in that partnership.”

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MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications Division, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4924, Fax: 906-1729

Seychelles authorities take steps to address the new COVID-19 variant

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Following this week’s Safe Tourism Task Force meeting led by the Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, the Public Health Authority has proposed new measures for the destination.

As of Monday, December 28, 2020, the United Kingdom will no longer feature on the list of countries from which visitors may travel to Seychelles. 

As of December 31, 2020, South Africa will not feature on the list of countries permitted into the country.

Between Wednesday, December 23, 2020, to Thursday, December 31, 2020, all visitors arriving from South Africa will not be permitted to stay in their private residences. Visitors will have to book a Category 2 establishment for at least 10 days before being tested, and if negative, they may complete the remaining 4 days at their private residence or a Category 1 establishment.

These decisions follow recent developments, whereby the UK and South Africa are being affected by a new variant of COVID-19. 

The measures will be effective until the end of January 2021 and will be subject to review before then.

Updates on travel measures and procedures to the destination can be viewed on the websites of the Tourism Department http://tourism.gov.sc/ and Department of Health http://www.health.gov.sc/ as well as Seychelles Travel Advisory page https://advisory.seychelles.travel/ .

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MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, [email protected]