Positive Tourism News

A Gastronomy Ambassador Programme has been announced as a significant outcome of the partnership between the Ministry of Tourism’s Linkages Network and the Culinary Federation of Jamaica for this year’s Taste of Jamaica  Culinary Competition and Expo.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett made the disclosure Saturday (December 2) at the opening ceremony for the tenth anniversary staging of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF)-sponsored event at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

Minister Bartlett also announced to his audience of hundreds of patrons at the TEF Taste of Jamaica that through the Ministry’s Gastronomy Network, the top awardees in three competitive areas would become Jamaica’s first gastronomy ambassadors.

“I am pleased to announce the Gastronomy Network Programme which will see winners of the Chef of the Year (Michael Barnett of Hedonism II), the Pastry Chef of the Year (Oberio Walker of Jewel Paradise Cove) and the Bartender of the Year (Dwayne Barnett of Jamaica Pegasus) in Taste of Jamaica being sent to New York to receive training. The three will then become the first official Ambassadors of Gastronomy of Jamaica,” he said.

By Juergen T Steinmetz -eTurbonews.com

November 15, 201UNWTO, the Government of Jamaica, the World Bank Group and the Inter-American Development Bank will co-host a Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth on 27-29 November in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Under the theme ‘Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism’, the event will assess and discuss the future of the sector in the Caribbean, particularly in view of the impacts of natural disasters such as the recent hurricane Irma.

The summit aims at identifying successful models and future initiatives of public-private partnerships (PPPs) that will contribute to sustainable tourism development globally. It will also serve as a platform for leaders from the tourism sector, along with governments, donors and development and finance organizations, to put in place an international road map to promote inclusive economic and social development through tourism.

The Conference will commence with an introductory session on the future of tourism in the Caribbean region.

Source: www.caribbean360.com

Editor's Commentary: JET BLUE AND ATLAS AIR: Caribbean peoples commend you for your selfless humanity in transporting more than 110 tons of relief supplies to our fellow Caribbean and American Citizens in Puerto Rico. May your continued good works towards their full recovery be a blessing which stimulates your improved service, peace and prosperity. Please stretch your wings across to St Maarten and St Croix in the Leward Islands (in your flight path) which are also under duress. Thank you.

--Sharon Parris-Chambers, Editor

NEW YORK, United States, Saturday October 7, 2017 – JetBlue, the largest airline in Puerto Rico, in partnership with Atlas Air Worldwide transported more than 110 tons of much needed supplies to Puerto Rico to aid in relief and recovery efforts.

Photo Caption: Left to Right - Theo Chambers, Publisher, Caribnewsroom and Dr Joomay Faye, visiting the birthplace of Jamaica's first National Hero, Rt. Honourable Marcus Garvey, St Ann, Jamaica, W.I. before the Dr Faye spoke at the IRIE FM Tribute to Marcus Mosiah Garvey.

Jamaica is the Sacred Land, of the First Pan African Federalist, the Home of Pilgrimage Tourism

Ocho Rios, Jamaica, West Indies (September 10, 2017) Scores of pilgrims from across the African Diaspora, joined their counterparts in Jamaica, to pay homage to Jamaica’s first national hero, the 

Rt. Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey during the weeklong staging of his 130th birthday celebrations.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Monday, September 11, 2017: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has leveraged his position as Chairman of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) Board of Affiliate Members to appeal for aid for Caribbean islands recently devastated by Hurricane Irma.

Irma, the most powerful Atlantic hurricane in recorded history last week left a path of death and destruction across the Leeward Islands and the Northern Caribbean.

Bartlett noted that aid will most likely come from the UNWTO Sustainable Tourism - Eliminating Poverty Initiative (ST-EP) Foundation, which promotes poverty alleviation through the provision of assistance to sustainable development projects in developing countries.

While expressing deep sympathies to the people of the Caribbean impacted by Hurricane Irma, Minister Bartlett thanked the UNWTO for pledging to assist in rebuilding the tourism industry in the affected countries. “We are all a part of the regional tourism family, so it is important that we are willing to help each other in times of need. This week I will be in Chengdu, China, along with over a thousand tourism officials from around the world, for the 22^nd Session of the UNWTO General Assembly and I plan to use the opportunity to appeal to my colleague Affiliate Members for further assistance to affected countries,” said Minister Bartlett.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, August 06, 2017: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says, sprint legend Usain Bolt will go down in history as one of the greatest athletes of our time.

 The statement follows the athlete’s final individual race in his career at the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships in London, where Bolt received a bronze medal. This was also his 24th medal at the global senior level.  

 In congratulating the track star, the Minister shared, “It has been our country’s greatest joy to witness the spectacular career of our iconic athlete Usain Bolt.  He is truly exceptional and an outstanding Ambassador for Jamaica. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest athletes in the world and has continuously made our nation proud.”

The Minister also noted that Bolt’s dominant and impactful career has had a significant impact on BRAND Jamaica and our tourism product.

Source: Claudia Gardner, Festival Producer

LUCEA, Hanover, Jamaica, W.I. July 30, 2017. The first ever Jamaica Natural Hair, Health and Beauty Festival, will be held at the historic Fort Charlotte in Lucea, Hanover, Emancipation Day, under the theme:  “Hair’ we come; Here’s to health; Ital is Vital”.

The festival at its core, is geared at enabling women and girls to love, manage and wear their natural hair, of all types, with ease, with beauty and with grace.  Consequently, the main highlight will be the Miss Jamaica Afro and Miss Jamaica Luscious Locks Pageant in the afternoon.

“Jamaicans are becoming health conscious and very mindful of the foods we consume, and products we put on our bodies.  So, we will celebrate and promote healthy hair; producers of natural and organic beauty products, foods, healthy skin, hair and body,” event organiser Claudia Gardner said.

Source: Positive Tourism News. Photo Caption: Positive Tourism News Staff.

Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica, W.I. (July 22, 2017) The 25th Edition of Reggae Sumfest took place during the period July 16, 2017 to July 23, 2017. The showcase held the spotlight on the genres of dancehall, reggae and ska. Highly acclaimed Jamaican headline acts, the likes of Stephen Marley, Sean Paul, Queen Ifrica, Richie Stephens, & Ska Nation, Christopher Martin, Jah Cure, Beanie Man and Sizzla Kalonji displayed their star quality and thrilled fans in the audience. The penultimate performer with the largest music catalog in Jamaica, Kalonji closed the show on Sunday morning, having just returned from a successful Summer performance schedule in the USA. He challenged youth with guns in Montego Bay to go to business school, earn, money and begin uplifting themselves. Kalonji delivered a full set despite inheriting a loss of audience share by 5:30 am. Blazing set performances by Stephen Marley, Richie Stephens & Ska Nation, Sean Paul and Queen Ifrica made an indelible mark on the blistering and exciting production of Sumfest 2017.

One of the Festivals founding directors, Robert Russell, later that evening, was recognized for his vision and service to the Reggae industry, said in an interview with Positive Tourism News that key features of this year’s production included the main stage design, having huge video screens for patrons to see the show from any angle of the main village showcase. A Taste of Reggae Sumfest Acoustic Café, was a highlight in the food court. He was abundantly pleased that the LiveStream (www.ReggaeSumfest.com) which he had some initial reservations about, “proved to be a lure for patrons to come in because they wanted to see themselves on television”.

The presence and performance of Richie Stevens & Ska Nation is an example of the homage paid to Jamaican Ska, which underpins our other music genres. Ska Nation, performed within Stevens set and lit a fire across the audience as they witnessed an International Ska dance craze coming out of Europe. The audience witnessed Italian performers passionately dancing and singing what I would declare a Ska Revival. Towards the end of his performance, Richie Stevens gave a Ska operatic rendition of the Italian Classic “Oh Solo Mia,” which found resonance with a riveted and sometimes surprised audience judging from their halting applause. The Jamaica Tourist Board paid Homage to Ska with banners, pictures and quotations in their Sky Box.

The evening’s stellar performance par excellence goes to Queen Ifrica, a human rights advocate for women and children who highlighted the issues to be fixed in our beloved Jamaica with new and popular songs, sung with passion and determination. She added equal pay for female recording artists to her causes. She opened her set with “Welcome to Montego Bay” followed by “Daddy”, “Lioness on the Rise”, “Below the Waist,” etc. She drew her performance catalog from albums such as: “Times Like These”, “Lioness on the Rise” and “Serve & Protect”. Queen told Positive Tourism News that her new album ‘I Can’t Breathe’ from the 2017 Climb Album has caught the attention of the Mothers of Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin and other victims of police violence. “Mothers of the Movement,” is a sisterhood of moms. She promises in the album “we ain’t gonna stop till people are free”.

SOURCE: MINISTRY OF TOURISM

NEGRIL, Jamaica; Friday, July 14, 2017: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has charged the newly-established Negril Destination Assurance Council (Negril DAC) with safeguarding the western tourist resort area and ensuring its integrity.

“The Negril DAC must take control of the destination. We are providing the legislative and legal framework for you; we are helping to facilitate capacity building but the action on the ground, the ownership of your destination, must be yours,” charged Minister Bartlett a yesterday’s (July 13) inaugural meeting of the body that has replaced the Negril Resort Board.

Explaining the difference between the DACs and the now defunct Resort Boards, Minister Bartlett said this was to be seen in the structure and the broader intent “because the Destination Assurance Council is not just about the look and feel of the destination but it is about the reputation of the destination and involves all the key governance players who have a role to play in ensuring that the destination remains pristine and safe.”

KINGSTON, JAMAICA (June 20, 2017) – The votes have been tallied, and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has again been named “Favourite Tourist Board in Canada” by Canadian travel agents in Baxter Travel Media’s annual Agents’ Choice Awards. This is the twelfth consecutive year that the JTB Canada team has received this honour.

 In his thank you letter to Canadian agents, Paul Pennicook, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, thanked agents for again voting for the Jamaica Tourist Board and added: “This award is a testament to how hard everyone is working as a team to deliver an exceptional product. We have a great team in place who offer outstanding service to travel agents, who in turn offer an unforgettable Jamaica experience to their clients.” 

"It is such an honour to receive this award for the twelfth consecutive year,” said Philip Rose, Regional Director for the Jamaica Tourist Board in Canada. “Travel agents are one of our most important partners. In fact, in 2016 we saw 54% of Canadians book their Jamaica trip through an agent. The JTB Canada team regularly works and meets with Canadian travel agents, providing them with the tools they need, product updates, and hosting them on familiarization tours on the island so they can best sell Destination Jamaica.”

 Baxter Travel Media are the publishers of Canadian Travel Press and Travel Courier, two of the top travel trade publications in Canada. The Baxter Travel Media Awards are the largest travel agent survey of its kind in Canada, with more than 5,500 agents voting in various categories.

Photo Caption: Above: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left) and Skift President Carolyn Kremins

(HM Skift President) KINGSTON, JAMAICA (June 8, 2017) –Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett met with Skift President Carolyn Kremins to discuss the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Government of Jamaica and World Bank Group Conference on Jobs & Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism, taking place November 27 – 29, 2017 in Montego Bay. Skift is the largest industry intelligence platform, providing media, insights and marketing to key sectors of travel.

In commemoration of the 2017 UNWTO’s International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, the event is a collaboration between the Government of Jamaica, international development firm Chemonics International and the UNWTO. This conference is of especially momentous importance because it is the first time the UNWTO will stage a world conference on tourism in the Caribbean or the Americas. The conference will bring the world’s spotlight to Jamaica and the Caribbean, both of which rely heavily on the economic power of tourism. The participating heads of state, planners, policy makers, developers and investors will discuss the need for public-private-partnerships with the mission of sustainable tourism for development.

Contact:

KINGSTON, Jamaica; June 1, 2017: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett on Tuesday (May 30) launched the Destination Assurance Councils (DACs) for six resort areas, which are tasked with ensuring that the quality, standards and integrity of Jamaica’s tourism product are maintained.  The launch took place at the Eden Gardens Wellness Resort and Spa in Kingston.

The Destination Assurance Councils, which replace the Resort Boards, are expected to identify the needs of the industry and monitor the progress of developmental initiatives in resort areas. This is in keeping with efforts to ensure that Jamaica provides the attractive and secure tourism product which is marketed to its visitors.

In his address, Minister Bartlett called on the DACs to play their part in ensuring that the Jamaican experience is safe, secure and seamless for our visitors, adding that “people travel for the experience, so we need to make it special so that it leaves a positive impact on the visitors and creates an ambiance that doesn’t leave them second guessing the quality of the destination.” 

Minister Bartlett said the Ministry, its agencies and the DACs will focus on enhancing the tourism sector in Jamaica by way of their pooled expertise, noting that “the aim of the partnership is to improve standards, the physical development of the resorts and engage with citizens to ensure that Jamaica is viewed as favorable to visitors, facilitating growth in the sector.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica; May 09, 2017:  Newly-appointed member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) High Level Task Force on Tourism and Security, Hon. Edmund Bartlett will join world tourism leaders at the group’s inaugural meeting in Madrid, Spain, on Wednesday for preliminary discussions on the current safety and security situation facing the global tourism sector.

The Minister, who accepted the invitation to represent Jamaica in the newly established taskforce in March of this year, says the meeting is very important as it will determine the priorities of the group moving forward.

“I am very excited to be a part of this important taskforce on tourism and security as it is in-keeping with the focus of Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism, which is actively pursuing our goal of providing Destination Assurance. This meeting will allow us to have an open discussion, so that we can begin to collectively tackle the problem impacting the sector across the globe,” says Minister Bartlett.

“It is an honour for me to represent the country in this taskforce because in a sense it positions Jamaica as a reference point for global governance. As a country representative we will, among other things, get to respond to the needs of Member States by developing and adopting crisis communications plans,” he added.  

Source: SFLCN.com

Los Angeles, CA – The Caribbean Heritage Organization (CHO) and the family of the late reggae legend Bob Marley are pleased to announce the institution of the “Robert Nesta Marley Humanitarian Award” to be awarded annually during the CHO Caribbean-American Heritage Month Salute to Hollywood & Excellence Awards gala held in Los Angeles in June.

“Bob Marley was not only the greatest reggae singer that has ever lived” says Marva Griffiths Herman, Founder & Executive Director of the Los Angeles-based organization, “but he was a global ambassador of peace, equal rights, justice, brotherhood and generosity. We are very humbled that the family has allowed us to dedicate this award in his honor.”

The Robert Nesta Marley Humanitarian Award recognizes individuals/entities that are making positive impact on society with their time, actions and dedication.

“We are honored to have our father represent this prestigious award that pays tribute to those who are positively impacting their communities through their good works and the inspiring examples they set for others. Both our parents instilled in us the idea that the success of the individual means the success of the community, and it is a blessing to see that idea continues to flourish around the world. We give thanks to the Caribbean Heritage Organization for recognizing those who are carrying that legacy forward into the 21st Century.” – The Marley Family.

Source: Caribnewsroom.com by Hope Heaven & Sharon Parris-Chambers

Photo Caption: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left) shares a special moment with Jimmy Cliff, IRIE FM Lifetime Achievement awardee, and former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. P.J. Patterson (right). They are pictured here together on Sunday, February 12, 2017 at the inaugural IRIE FM Lifetime Achievement awards ceremony, held at the Somerton All-Age School, St. James, Jamaica.

Photo Credit: Ministry of Tourism

Nestled in a lush green valley where a river once ran, is a town called Somerton. It is the childhood hometown of musician, actor, rock and roll hall of famer, the honorable Doctor Jimmy Cliff, OM.

Source: Ministry of Tourism Jamaica

HM Falmouth Invasion: Five schools received Awards on Wednesday, February 8, 2018 for their successes in the recycling competition for schools in and around Trelawny. They were awarded prizes for collecting plastic bottles. The winner, Holland High School, won $2.5 million, which was presented to them by Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, during the Falmouth Invasion lunch hour ‘awareness raising concert’ in Water Square. Seen here flanking Minister Bartlett (6th from left) as they received the first place certificate and a cheque are Holland High’s Tourism Action Club members (l-r):  Charmalee Smart, Ramonia Sterling, Neoka Williams, Tanya Walters, Tavion Ross, Club Coordinator, Aiyesha Lawrence-Reid, Adrian Bonney, Shamoya Anderson, Abigail Black and Kerrian Bell. Other awardees include Hague Primary and Infant School in 2nd place; William Knibb Memorial High School, 3rd place; Duncans All-Age 4th and Salt Marsh Primary School 5th place.

For further information contact:

Kingsley Roberts

SOURCE: Theo Chambers, Caribnewsroom.com 
This is one of the contributed articles for Black History Month by Caribnewsroom.com

Born in Colon, Panama to both Jamaican Maternal and Paternal Grandparents, I remember at the tender age of 12, being introduced to the teachings and ideology of the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey by my mentor and good friend, Professor Alfred Rowe.

While stationed at RAF Alconbury (US Air Force) in England, my second child was born, whom I named, Malcolm X Chambers, which is on his birth certificate.   I admired the philosophy and ideology of Malcolm X after Mecca, which was more tolerant and universal.

Having exposed myself to the Rastafarian movement, and the struggle they have gone through, especially in their quest for reparations from our former slave masters and Colonial Imperialists, I am impressed to witness that Caribbean leaders have finally joined together in admitting that the damage created by slavery, and the depletion of local resources that were used to build what is now known as first world countries, were wrong then, and the long-term negative effects should be reversed through financial and social compensation.

Source: South Florida Caribbean News (Sflcn.com)
Caption: Mr. Noicely with his daughter, Miss Jaime Noicely (previous scholarship recipient) along with members of JWOF.

JWOF accepting applications for “Powerful Women…Next Generation” Scholarship

MIAMI – Applications are now being accepted for the Jamaican Women of Florida “Powerful Women…Next Generation” scholarship.

The scholarship, renewable annually, is awarded to a first or second generation, Jamaican-American female high school student attending college in Fall 2017.  Valued at $1,000 yearly, the scholarship will encourage the recipient to achieve her four-year educational goal at a tertiary institution. So far, three students have been recipients of the JWOF Scholarship.

Source: Ministry of Tourism Jamaica

Scores of tourism officials and stakeholders led by Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, the Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor Colin Gager and Custos of Trelawny, Paul Muschett will participate in a sensitization march through the streets of Falmouth on Wednesday, February 8, 2017. 

The march is aimed at encouraging residents and business interests to keep the resort town clean and foster civic pride. Following the march, participants will converge in Falmouth square for a high energy lunch hour ‘awareness raising concert’, which will see performances from entertainers Aaron Silk and Mackie Conscious to name a few.

Dubbed the Falmouth Invasion, the march will start at 9:30 am in Water Square and proceed along Seaboard, Tharp, Market, Duke, Victoria, Rodney, Queen and Cornwall Streets ending in Water Square. The efforts are being led by the Ministry of Tourism working in collaboration with the Solid Waste Management Working Group of the Sustainable Destination Alliance of the Americas (SDAA) initiative.

SOURCE: JIS. GOV

PHOTO CAPTION: ["Prime Minister Andrew Holness is presented with books on the development of Singapore by Daniel Seah (third left), Deputy Director, Singapore Corporation Enterprise during a meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister today. Looking on are: (L-R) Mrs Audrey Sewell, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister; Diana Edwards, President, Jampro; Metry Seaga, Chairman, Special Economic Zone and Dr Eric Deans, CEO, Special Economic Zone .]

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, this morning (January 26) met with Daniel Seah, Deputy Director of Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) and representatives from the Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZA) to discuss the partnership between both governments to develop Jamaica’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

Prime Minister Holness said that the “development of the SEZ will greatly impact Jamaica’s economic development as all Jamaicans should benefit from the Zone."