Positive Tourism News

MANDEVILLE, Manchester, Jamaica, Sunday, July 19, 2020: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, has warned that tourism entities that fail to comply with health and safety protocols designed to facilitate the phased reopening of the tourism sector, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, will be shut down.

Speaking at the Golf View Hotel in Manchester, during a tour of the newly opened South Coast Resilient Corridor on the weekend, the Minister stressed that: “If you are not COVID compliant we are going to shut you down and whether you’re big or you’re small, because we cannot compromise on health security.”

The new corridor was introduced on July 15. Similar to the North Coast Resilient Corridor, which was introduced in June, this area will welcome visitors with robust health and safety protocols.

Minister Bartlett said: “The start of the South Coast phase of the reopening is very important to us,” noting that “this is a really popular region for Jamaicans and some international visitors, because this is country style tourism.”

St Ann’s Bay, St. Ann, Jamaica. July 16, 2020. Jamaica is poised to begin recovering some of its lost revenue from tourism as it enters its second stage of re-opening its borders to the international market. According to Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett “The sector reopened to visitors on June 15, 2020 and since then, has welcomed over 35,000 visitors and resident Jamaicans. It is estimated that during the month of July, Jamaica will welcome a total of 41,000 passengers (visitors and resident Jamaicans). This will result in approximately US$80 Million in earnings.”

In an effort to assist the resurgence and resilience of Jamaica’s tourism industry, Marva Hewitt, CEO, Food Hygiene Bureau (FHB) and Occupational Health & Safety Specialist has convened a virtual ZOOM webinar entitled: “COVID-19 Risk Management & Workplace Protection,” July 29, 2020 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Meeting ID: 5542825022 | Password: 7TPteP

Recently returning from assignments in the UK, Ms Hewitt has told Minister Edmund Bartlett that she is duty bound to assist Jamaica at this time with the training and compliance within the industry. Speaking in the newly minted South Coast Tourism WhatsApp group of stakeholders which was founded by Wolde Kristos, CEO, Reliable Adventures Jamaica (RAJ Tour) and includes among others Diana McIntyre-Pike, President Countrystyle Community Tourism Network and Jason Henzel, Chairman, Jakes Hotel, Villas & Spa, Hewitt said “Whilst a protocol checklist might prove of benefit to some or our hoteliers, the smaller ones (MSMTEs) may still need, as Sharon Parris-Chambers, said some degree of ‘hand holding’. I do have knowledge and experience of the COVID-19 Protocols and with my background in public health, food safety, occupational health and safety law, I have a good understanding and technical competency to ensure property compliance. I am ready to help in audit, inspections, drafting and implementation of the Protocols and ensure the systems are sustainable. I stand ready to work with you in this regard.”

The FHB Webinar is staged in association with Wellness Tourism Network, represented by Sharon Parris-Chambers, founder Caribbean Health Tourism & Spa Conference. The Network recently staged a Zoom Digital Wellness Tourism Roundtable of industry stakeholders with special guest speaker Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett on June 14, 2020. The following panelists & topics have been confirmed:  Lisa Ackerley, Hospitality Hygiene Doctor (“Risk Management & Re-opening the UK Perspective”); Snr Prof. & Research Shashi Vemuri, PJTSU, Agricultural University, India (“Risk Assessment & Food Contamination”); Dr Escoban Gonzales, Head Laboratory Services, Caribbean Public Health Agency (“Hotel Perspective Risk assessment & Protective Gears”); Mr Clifton Reader, General Manager, Moon Palace, Ocho Rios (“A Resort Perspective on COVID19 Protocol Management”) and Sharon Parris-Chambers, Tourism Consultant, PanaCarib Business Solutions (“How to Improve Workplace Wellness”).

KINGSTON, Jamaica; July 15, 2020: The Island’s South Coast is now open to tourists following the launch of a South Coast Resilient Corridor, which runs from Milk River to Negril. In an effort to drive the continued safe re-opening of the tourism sector, Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett yesterday announced that the new corridor will be introduced on July 15. Much like the North Coast Resilient Corridor, which was introduced in June, this area will welcome visitors with robust health and safety protocols.

While addressing Parliament yesterday, the Minister said: “This expansion, which takes effect on July 15, will enable more visitors to experience the tourism product, while enabling tourism businesses and workers to restart operations in a safe environment.”

He noted that the key protocols of this corridor include limiting access to only authorised properties to ensure that visitors will be travelling to COVID-compliant locations, as well as ensuring that public and private sector stakeholders are responsible for collaborating, to guarantee the extensive monitoring that is required.

“The protocols were designed based on benchmarks of nearly 20 markets in the Caribbean and globally as well as international health agencies.  They cover big and small hotels, guesthouses, attractions, beaches, transportation, shopping, social activities (restaurants and bars) and cruise ports,” said the Minister.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; July 2, 2020:  Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica, His Excellency Hiromasa Yamazaki (left) 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.

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Negril, Jamaica (June 25, 2020). Representatives of the Wellness Tourism Network recently met with Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism to discuss greater inclusivity of the Wellness Tourism niche and its stakeholders on Sunday, June 14, 2020 on Zoom virtual platform. The Roundtable, moderated by Sharon Parris-Chambers, Tourism Consultant & Co-founder of the Caribbean Health Tourism & Spa Conference (2005 -2009), set a standard in the emerging industry. Representatives of the evening’s session: Sharon & Theo Chambers, Diana McIntyre-Pike, Wolde Kristos & Elizabeth Terry engaged participants in insightful and purposeful dialogue.

The Roundtable Agenda unfolded with Prayer, Welcome Overview and Message, Response by Minister Edmund Bartlett, Questions & Answers and Wrap Up/Next Steps. Diana McIntyre-Pike, President, Countrystyle Community Tourism and Villages as Businesses, outlined the five goals and objectives of the Network during the Welcome Message. These included:  To establish an on-going close working relationship between the Wellness Tourism Network and the Ministry of Tourism and its partner agencies; Inclusion of the Wellness Tourism Network experts as active participants in wellness tourism governance – e.g. Boards, councils, committees; Recognize local wellness tourism experts’ eligibility as paid consultants in respective areas of expertise; Ensure inclusion of the Wellness Tourism Network in the planning of key wellness tourism events and to further develop and expand Wellness Tourism in Jamaica & the Caribbean.

The Wellness Tourism Network stakeholders are wellness professionals (complementary and alternative medical practitioners), farmers, herbalists, wellness consultants, naturopaths, manufacturers and wholesalers, researchers and students, owners of resorts and spas, spa technicians, lifestyle transformation centres, owners of yoga and fitness centres.

Sharon Parris-Chambers presented an Update of the Wellness Industry, wherein she called on the Minister to lead the industry through greater integration to include: Local expertise & stakeholders to play a more active role, awareness and utilization of natural resources; diversification of the Sector, which should include Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM).

She further added “Re-imagining of Wellness Tourism should be inclusive of the following: 1) greater awareness of the Jamaica Spa & Wellness Brand 2) Attracting Thought Leaders & Visionaries to Jamaica as a catalyst for more rapid implementation of strategies which, have been coined to positively impact and shape the future of the Caribbean, as the region seeks to fully capitalize on the $4.2 trillion Global Wellness Economy 3) Brand Jamaica must remain unique and include Rastafari, African & Taino healing methods. 4) Developing a Cadre of trained professionals to deliver exceptional Jamaica Spa and Wellness products, services and experiences 5) Inclusion of Spiritual and Mental Health within the definition of Wellness would bring us closer to tapping into the Personal Development Industry estimated to grow to US$13.2 billion by 2022.”

NASSAU, Bahamas, June 2, 2020 – The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation, along with the Tourism Readiness and Recovery Committee, a group comprised of public and private sector partners, announced today a collaborative plan for re-opening the country’s borders and tourism sector, as well as the resumption of international commercial travel starting July 1. A press conference provided details of the “Tourism Readiness and Recovery Plan” to be used as an approved, comprehensive guide of health and safety protocol to be followed consistently across the country.

From procedures pertaining to entering and departing The Bahamas via airports and seaports, to a Clean & Pristine certification program implemented across hotels, restaurants and other consumer-facing tourism entities and touchpoints, the plan outlines extensive health and safety protocols that will be enforced throughout The Bahamas to mitigate risks for all visitors and residents alike.

“Our top priority has and will always be our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors” said Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Director General Joy Jibrilu. “We must remember that we are living in a new normal in the wake of COVID-19 and a lot is going to change across the tourism sector. We are putting an even greater emphasis on making sure The Bahamas is safe and clean for everyone, and look forward to once again providing travelers with the tropical experience our islands are known for.”

A Phased Approach

KINGSTON, Jamaica; June 02, 2020 (JIS NEWS): The Ministry of Tourism has provided 10,000 masks for frontline industry workers as part of safeguards against the novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), when the sector reopens.

 The masks, one element of the personal protective equipment (PPE) used in the fight against COVID-19, were handed over to industry representatives by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett.

The presentation was made during a virtual ceremony at the Ministry’s offices in New Kingston on Friday (May 29).

 “We are recommending that all the workers of the tourism industry should wear their mask. The Prime Minister [the Most Hon. Andrew Holness] has already made that a condition for all of us, and the medical fraternity has supported that; so we want to assist in ensuring full compliance,” Minister Bartlett said.

MADRID, Spain; January 24, 2020: Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett has announced that Jamaica and the Republic of Panama have signed a multi-destination arrangement, as part of efforts to strengthen tourism relations between both countries.

The agreement was signed today during FITUR, the largest International Tourism Trade Fair for inbound and outbound Ibero-American markets, currently underway in Spain.

Jamaica has previously signed similar agreements with Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Mexico, to advance regional integration by fostering and harmonising legislation on air connectivity, visa facilitation, product development, marketing and human capital development.

‘The signing of the agreement today with Panama brings us to five countries in the North-Western Caribbean that have now developed an arrangement for convergence of their marketing and airlift arrangements.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; November 12, 2019. Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, says internationally acclaimed Bishop TD Jakes is looking at staging his flagship leadership conference in Jamaica next year. The announcement was made at a special brunch, organized by Jamaica Vacations at Royalton Resort, for Bishop Jakes who docked in Trelawny with over 1800 guests as part of his Faith and Family Caribbean Cruise.Thomas Dexter Jakes, more popularly known as TD Jakes, is a pastor, author and film maker. As pastor of the Potter's House, Bishop TD Jakes' conferences draw over 30,000 people."As Jamaica continues to diversify its product offerings to suit the passion points of our visitors, developing faith based tourism is high on our priority list. Many people travel for religious reasons.I am therefore honoured that Bishop TD Jakes has indicated his interest to host his mega conference in Jamaica which will attract thousands locally and overseas," said Minister Bartlett.It is estimated by the World Tourism Organization, that 300 to 330 million people travel for religious purposes every year.Bishop TD Jakes' church services and evangelistic sermons are broadcast on The Potters Touch, which airs on lightsource.com, the Trinity Broadcast Network, Black Entertainment Television, the Daystar Television Network and the Word Network."We are excited about the possibilities of having some events in Jamaica that i think would be of interest not only to Jamaicans.We are interested in leadership development, where business and faith can collaborate to create a more wholesome atmosphere," said Bishop TD Jakes.Minister Bartlett added that, "Jamaica will be the ideal location for this mega conference given the island's Christian and religious culture.” PHOTO CAPTION MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; November 12, 2019: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (L), in discussion with Bishop TD Jakes ahead of the special lunch organized by Jamaica Vacations (JAMVAC) at Royalton Resort in Trelawny today, in honour of the internationally acclaimed Pastor. Minister Bartlett announced at the lunch that Bishop TD Jakes is looking at hosting his mega Leadership Conference in Jamaica next year. For more information, contact:Corporate CommunicationsMinistry of Tourism64 Knutsford BoulevardKingston 5Tel: (876) 920-4926-30Fax: (876) 906 1729

The number of cruise tourists to Jamaica over the last decade has been growing as fast as Usain Bolt can run.      

This is because the demand for Caribbean cruises has been increasing in recent years, due to, among other things, massive medias promotions.  As more vessels expand their voyages to cover Caribbean islands far beyond the Bahamas, cruise tourists now have the opportunity to see many islands within a short space of time, as they spend their vacation on a luxury ship, with all the trappings of a holiday village.

For Jamaica, the Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Falmouth cruise ports are equipped to handle the largest cruise ships, while picturesque Port Antonio caters to boutique cruise ships and megayachts. 

Kingston, by way of the historic Port Royal, is touted to be the site of the island’s next major cruise destination and a proposal is on the table for the development of a cruise shipping port accompanied by the revitalisation and restoration of Kingston’s downtown and harbour-front areas.

 

 Highly anticipated cruise line, Virgin Voyages, by Sir. Richard Branson, will make Havana, Cuba its first port of call. The cruise line will launch in 2020 and will depart from Port Miami with its first ship, The Scarlet Lady.  

“We’re giving sailors the opportunity to discover one of the world’s most desired destinations, Virgin Voyages style,” the company said. Select itineraries on Virgin Voyages in 2020 will include both daytime calls and overnight stays in Havana Harbor, the company said.

Virgin Voyages, which will be an exclusively adults- only cruise line (or as Virgin calls it “adult by design,”) is looking to disrupt the Caribbean cruise industry with provocative design, unorthodox amenities like on-ship tattoo parlors and what seems to be a clear focus on millennial travelers (although not exclusively).

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett departed the island yesterday to participate in the World Travel Market (WTM), in London.

“The world travel market is one of the biggest programmes that the industry has on its calendar. I am very proud to share that I will be joined by a very sizeable delegation from Jamaica next week to participate in the event, which enables contracts to be entered into between hoteliers and suppliers and airlines and destinations and so on,” said the Minister.

The WTM is a major promotional platform for the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).  It will also feature other 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 at the WTM, we will also engage in tourism diplomacy, which enables the real connectivity between countries that are involved in tourism and partners that are involved in this industry.

ATLANTA – Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade announced the appointment of Dr. Elaine Grant-Bryan as Jamaica’s new Honorary Consul to Atlanta with effect from October 1, 2018.

As Honorary Consul, Dr. Bryan will provide consular services to Jamaicans and persons wishing to visit Jamaica, and to promote the development of social, cultural and commercial relationships between Jamaica and Atlanta.

Dr. Bryan succeeds Mrs. Jewel Scott, who resigned from the position in December 2017.

Dr. Bryan is a former educator in the Atlanta School System and is now a real estate entrepreneur. She is also the founder and chair of The Elaine Bryan Foundation.

Portland, Jamaica, W.I. November 8, 2018. The second staging of Mama Africa Arise & Unite took place on Sunday, August 26, 2018 at the Di Atlantic Entertainment Center in Manchioneal Portland, where the focus was on community development, empowerment and unity.

The music of Uprising Roots Band set the stage for the flow of positive vibrations during the event, which also celebrated the Earthday of Empress Ellisa Issachar.

The following participants are gratefully acknowledged for their support: Di Atlantic Entertainment Center, Paul Thompson (Mayor of Portland), Theo Chambers (Founder, Access Jamaica Network), Paulette Simmonds (Stteppin Out Loud TV), Abrahamic Covenant Family Ministry, Lt. General Imhotep Ashanti (Coordinator, NIC Jamaica, Pan African Federalist Movement -PAFM), 5th House Kreationz, Forever Africa, Kromanti Group, Maurice Lee (Maroon - Moore Town), Gloria Simms (Mama G – Gaamand Chieftainess, Maroon - Charles Town), Hon. Bobo Jason Thompson (PAFM), Garth Barnett (Marcus Garvey People’s Political Party), Mama Fire, Constantine Bogle (Bogle Foundation), Ras Nik Graphics, and Sharon Parris-Chambers (Caribnewsroom & Living Life as a Sacred Practice).

Mama Africa Arise & Unite Main Event, slated for October 28, 2018, is the culmination of the series of community development drives. It promises to be a memorable affair with select entertainers to thrill, speakers to motivate, workshops to capture the imagination and ignite within, a passion for self-reliance, community development and African unity.

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (right) joins Spanish ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Josep Maria Bosch Bessa and his colleague, Deputy Head of Mission, Victoria García Ojeda for a photograph, during a courtesy call to the Minister’s New Kingston office on August 14, 2018. During the discussions, the Minister extended an invitation to the Spanish Ambassador and his team to attend the Tourism Resilience Summit, being hosted by Jamaica on September 13. The event, which will take place at the University of the West Indies, Mona, will address events that disrupt tourism, such as climate change, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism and cybercrime. The Minister also used the opportunity to update the Ambassador on progress being made to establish the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, which will have its official launch next January.

August 8, 2018, Portland, Jamaica, W.I. Following on the heels of the successful launch on July 15, 2018 at the breathtaking Di Atlantic Entertainment Center, located in the beautiful parish of Manchioneal Portland, Mama Africa Arise & Unite is set to bring a life-changing aura and message to patrons once again. On August 26, 2018 the community is invited to gather in their numbers at the same venue for a day of celebration, culture, entertainment and fun.  The event represents the first Parish Cultural Debut, Community Building Development project that will benefit women and youth both in Jamaica.

Mama Africa Arise & Unite was founded by Ellisa Issachar, Managing Director of D.A.E.C, Spokesperson and musician from the Abrahamic Covenant Family Ministry. She is joined by Mojiba Ase', founder of Forever Africa, Spoken Word Artist, General Manager of Mama Africa Arise & Unite, daughter of the Legendary Count Ossie a RasTafarian Cultural and Musical Icon.

Over the years, the Abrahamic Covenant Family Ministry founded by Bishop Denroy Morgan, has stood firm for African unification in Jamaica and is pleased to be aligned with Mama Africa Arise & Unite to support its spiritual values and commitment to the Community. The theme, Who Am I? Will be leading the main workshop and promises to open up the minds and hearts of participants and humanity in general.

Our growing Sponsorship Team consists of: Abrahamic Covenant Family Ministry, Di'Atlantic Entertainment Center, Forever Africa, Stteppin Out Loud T.V., Access Jamaica, Living Life as a Sacred Practice, RNG - Ras Nik Graphics, Pan African Federalist Movement N.I.C. Jamaica, Kromantic Group and Carib Newsroom.

August 6, 2018. The International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) International Year of Community Tourism and Peace, initiated in collaboration with Countrystyle Villages as Businesses, will end with a celebration at the IIPT International Community Tourism Conference at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Visitors’ Lodge in Kingston, Jamaica from November 12 – 15, 2018.

The Conference is in collaboration with Countrystyle Villages as Businesses, the UWI Open Campus, the Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Livelihoods, Making Connections Work Ltd UK/Diaspora Connect 2022, the YES Foundation, the National Best Communities Foundation and the UWI Tourism

Society. It will feature community tourism case studies from Jamaica, the Caribbean region and Africa and honour outstanding community tourism entities and persons at a Community Tourism Awards luncheon. The theme of the conference is “Building communities as businesses.”

Keynote Speaker will be the Hon. Audley Shaw, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, who will share his support for the community development programme offered by Countrystyle Villages as Businesses and the Academy of Community Tourism in partnership with the UWI Open Campus. The programme’s guidance and training in hospitality, entrepreneurship and other skills enable villages and individuals to benefit from the diverse opportunities generated trhrough community tourism. Some of the special guests/presenters will include Mrs. Diana McIntyre–Pike, President/Founder of the Countrystyle Villages as Businesses, President of the IIPT Caribbean and Coordinator of the IIPT International Community Tourism Network; Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of the UWI Open Campus, Dr. Luz Longsworth; Dr. Louis D’Amore, Founder/President of the IIPT; Alison Kenning Massa, Vice-President Countrystyle Villages as Businesses; Dr. Marcia Brandon, CEO Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Livelihoods; Dr. Carolyn Hayle, UWI Mona; Melanie Taylor, President UWI Tourism Society; Gillian Rowlands, Vice President IIPT Caribbean; Valerie Dixon, Vice President Countrystyle Villages as Businesses; Mark Pike, General Manager, ATL Automotive Car Rentals; Jacqueline daCosta, Chairman National Best Communities Foundation; Paulette Jones, Project Director, Diaspora Connect 2022; Rev. Solomon Mruka, President/Coordinator, Africa Community Tourism Network; Barbados Community Tourism Network delegation; Lopinot, Trinidad and Tobago, delegation; Arlene McKenzie, Rastafari Indigenous Village St. James; Alexander Pike, General Manager R Hotel; James Samuels,Chairman, Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) Marketing Committee Kingston and the Tourism Product Development Co Linkages Hub; Valerie Veira, Executive Director, Jamaica Business Development Centre (JBDC); Theo Chambers, Founder & CEO Access Jamaica.com & Caribbean VIP Discount Club; Sharon Parris-Chambers Public Relations Consultant/Publisher Caribnewsroom.com; and Dr. Kadamawe K’Nife, Lecturer UWI and Patron, Community Tourism Trust Fund (COMTRUST).

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; July 27, 2018: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced that Jamaica will host a resilience summit with key global stakeholders and thought leaders on September 13 at the University of the West Indies, Mona. The date was selected to commemorate hurricanes Irma and Maria, two of the most devastating weather systems to have affected the region.

“This summit forms part of my ministry’s efforts to build resilience within the region and globally. Resilience building has become even more crucial in a world that is hyper connected and as such more susceptible to climate change, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism and cybercrime,” Minister Bartlett said.

The resilience summit, to be held under the theme ‘Tourism Resilience through Global Synergies’, will seek to assess existing and emerging disruptions related to tourism management globally;  examine the risk of these disruptions to the global tourism product; and identify a synergetic strategic and operational framework for mutual partnerships between and among major governmental, non-governmental and business entities to address as well as develop mitigation strategies for these global disruptions.

Speaking today at the press conference in Montego Bay to announce the summit, Minister Bartlett added that this is “A precursor to the official launch of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre in January next year and this centre will be the global hub to assist destination preparedness, management and recovery from disruptions and/or crises that affect tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods globally.”

PORT MARIA, St Mary, Jamaica, Thursday, July 26, 2018:  Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett has underscored that “our culture and heritage are the bedrock upon which Jamaica’s tourism has been built” and must be preserved.

Describing it, he said “it is rich, vibrant, multi-cultural and born out of a dynamic and tumultuous history that has influenced our music, our food, our visual and performing arts, even our native tongue.”

It was in that context that Minister Bartlett welcomed Rio Nuevo Village in St Mary expanding its attractions to include rafting and kayaking. “This landmark north coast attraction is evidence of Jamaica’s rich culture,” said Mr. Bartlett, adding that 30 acres was a historic site once home to one of the biggest Taino settlements in the parish. As a multi-dimensional attraction it offers a museum with one of the most comprehensive collections of Taino artefacts in Jamaica.

Rio Nuevo was also the site on which the British and Spanish armies fought in a battle that resulted in Jamaica becoming an English colony.

 

KINGSTON, Jamaica; May 22, 2018:  Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says a Tourism Innovation Council will be developed, under the newly restructured Tourism Enhancement Fund, to drive ground-breaking ideas within the industry and to encourage more Jamaicans to become entrepreneurs.

Speaking at a TEF Board of Directors meeting earlier today, the Minister noted that “the board that will drive innovation is now going to change. Instead of there being a board of governance for the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation, I will now have an Innovation Council that will work alongside the Tourism Linkages Council, who I believe are also the drivers of experiential tourism in the island.”

He noted that his Ministry has begun looking at prospects to join the council, who have vast experience in business start-ups and innovation.