Positive Tourism News

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.

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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."

Photo Caption: U.S. Vice President Mike Pence (center) Karen Pence (Left) Jamaica’s Ambassador Hon. Audrey Marks

Source Article by: Derrick Scott ~ Source: South Florida Caribbean News

Washington, DC – Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States Her Excellency Audrey Marks, extended best wishes to United States President Donald Trump and his Cabinet for a successful tenure in office.

Ambassador Marks who was the nation’s representative at the Chairman’s Global Dinner, hosted by Presidential Inaugural Committee Chairman Thomas Barrack, on January 17, used the opportunity, on behalf of the Government of Jamaica to congratulate the President on his election victory.

Source: eturbonews.com

He wants to become the new top executive, the new Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Competing with numerous candidates he is optimistic to be the new leader of World Tourism after the UNWTO General Assembly meets in September 2017 in China.

Zimbabwe’s minister of tourism and hospitality, the Hon. Walter Mzembi has been working day and night for many months, trying to earn the trust, show the courage and knowledge to lead this top post. Even though for some time he was the only contender for Secretary General, he never missed a meeting or an opportunity to show up anywhere in the world to contribute his fresh global approach of thinking.

He is African, he thinks Africa should be leading the next UNWTO, but he certainly is a global citizen.

Source: SFLCN.com

KINGSTON, Jamaica – This year’s UWI Awards and Symposium is scheduled for February 22, 2017 5-8pm at the Open Campus Learning Centre, University West Indies, Mona and will showcase tourism, education and culture with all proceeds to benefit Christian mission and school project.

UWI Awards Patron Ambassador of China to Jamaica, Niu Quinbago, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith will join in paying homage to Business Man of The Year, Top Caribbean Resort destination, and Caribbean Airlines superpower CAL, the warmth of the islands.

The red carpet event will be covered by local and international media as well as augment Jamaica’s event tourism calendar while providing millions of dollars in marketing revenue for sponsors for twelve months.

Source: Jamaica's Ministry of Tourism

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 25, 2017: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that Jamaica’s tourism sector received a massive boost last week with the announcement that some US$250 million is being invested in the sector to develop hotels under three major tourism development projects.

Speaking at the press launch of the expanded Spruce Up Jamaica programme at the historic Devon House recently, the Minister said, “the third week of January was the most powerful for Jamaica’s tourism industry in a long time. This is the largest set of investments we have had announced in the space of a week, as combined they value approximately US$250 million.  The accumulated job potential of this is significant with nearly 5,000 jobs being created.”

Just last week, while he was in Spain, Minister Bartlett signed an agreement with representatives of the Excellence Group of Luxury Hotels and Resorts to build two hotels in Oyster Bay, Trelawny, which will add over 700 rooms to the island’s room-stock.  The first hotel, which will open in the first half of 2018, will be built at a cost of US$110 million. The project is expected to generate some 2,000 new jobs in the construction and operation phases.

Ministry of Tourism

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 24, 2017: The Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) today (January 24, 2017) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts to develop a Craft Development Institute (CDI) in St. Ann’s Bay.

The signing, which took place during the press launch of the expanded Spruce Up Jamaica programme, is significant as the institute will be the first of its kind in the country.  

The MOU outlines in detail, the role the entities will play in the development and management of the craft institute. TPDCo will play a major role in the project as they will execute the development of the CDI, as well as all the activities directly related to the Spruce Up Jamaica programme on a day-to-day basis.

Source: South Florida Caribbean News (SFLCN)

Singer Estelle, International Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Paul Salmon and the Inaugural Shirley Chisholm Award Highlights the Evening

New York – Doug E Fresh, Barbadian born American rapper, record producer and beat boxer, known as ‘The Human Beatboxer,’ is among the 2017 honorees at this year’s Annual Legacy Awards Gala of the American Foundation for The University of West Indies (AFUWI), a registered US charity.

The New York City, black-tie event which will be held on February 23 at The Pierre Hotel in New York City, is AFUWI’s signature event. Now in its 20th year, proceeds from the Gala provide an average of 50 scholarships annually for students across The UWI’s four campuses.

Source: Ministry of Tourism ~ www.mot.gov.jm.

ACCOMPONG TOWN, Cockpit Country, Jamaica; January 9, 2017: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that the 279-year-old Maroon community of Accompong is to have pride of place as the first cultural heritage location to be promoted worldwide as part of a new marketing initiative being driven by the Ministry’s Tourism Linkages Network.

“We will make Accompong the first destination and we will now place the anniversary festival on the calendar of events and market the community alongside the destination when we go abroad to market experiences in Jamaica”, said Minister Bartlett. He noted that, “we are satisfied that the authenticity of this experience will enhance Jamaica’s presence in the global arena.”

The Ministry’s plan for the community was outlined by the Minister as he gave the keynote address at last Friday’s festival commemorating the 279th Anniversary of the signing of the peace treaty by the Maroons and the British. “We are going to work with Colonel Ferron Williams and his cultural committee to build out this festival experience to make it a calendar event that is promoted to all visitors who come to Jamaica,” the Minister said.

Source: http://www.commonwealthwriters.org

Photo Credit: Google.com 

To commemorate World Braille Day, the Commonwealth Youth Council launches “Unseen & Unspoken.” This is a segment of creative expression of the #iamABLE campaign through the art of poetry.

The theme of the competition is “My disability does not define me.” The theme can be interpreted many ways – writers could focus on achievements and talents they have in spite of a disability, or positive traits they have or have developed as a result of their disability. ]

Source: Caribbean360.com

GEORGIA, USA, Friday January 6, 2017 – Whether you’re determined to ditch the pounds piled on over the holidays, or are among a growing number of travellers who demand fitness facilities to compliment vacation fun, destinations worldwide are at your service to cater to every healthy living need.

A New Year health kick doesn’t have to mean detox, denial and downright misery, however, a fact illustrated by freelance travel writer Joe Minihane who compiled CNN’s Top 10 fitness vacations for the New Year.

The Caribbean secured two places on the list in the shape of Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

12 months to celebrate and promote the contribution of the tourism sector to building a better world. This is the major goal of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 that will start in few days.

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development recalling the potential of tourism to advance the universal 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The International Year aims to support a change in policies, business practices and consumer behavior towards a more sustainable tourism sector than can contribute effectively to the SDGs.

"This is a unique opportunity to build a more responsible and committed tourism sector that can capitalize its immense potential in terms of economic prosperity, social inclusion, peace and understanding, cultural and environmental preservation” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

The property, which Sandals is billing as a “six-star” resort, will break ground next to the existing Sandals Grande Saint Lucian Resort in Spring 2017. It gets its LaSource name from Sandals’ Grenada resort.

The 350-room-and-suite resort will feature some of the brand’s latest innovations, like an infinity-edge sky pool, SkyPool Butler Suites and all-butler swim-up “Rondoval Suites,” a first for the chain.

The resort will also include a main stage with a 20-foot LED screen and a “mobile DJ party scene.”

“We pride ourselves on continuously raising the bar and Sandals LaSource Saint Lucia will completely re-energize the tourism market in Saint Lucia,” promised Sandals Chairman, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart.  “Since we first opened Sandals Regency La Toc in 1993 we have consistently invested millions of dollars to re-imagine our offerings to ensure our resorts and the Saint Lucian destination is among the best in the world and thereby boosting the local economy.”

NEGRIL, Westmoreland, Jamaica; Sunday, December 18, 2016: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has assured craft traders in the fast developing resort town of Negril that $80 million has been allocated to construct an artisan village in the area.

“I am pleased to announce to you today that we are going to proceed with the development of the infrastructure for the craft entrepreneurs in Negril by way of building out the artisan village here in Negril,” Minister Bartlett told the craft traders when he met with them on the weekend. This as the Minister and other officials from the Ministry of Tourism and its agencies visited the area as part of a winter tourist season motivational tour.

He told the gathering at the Negril Green Island Planning Authority that details of the $80 million project would be outlined to them by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) early in the New Year.

“Some aspects of the design are already completed and we will have to work with you for full buy-in because one of the things that we want to ensure is that you have very commodious setting and comfort,” he noted.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, December 14, 2016:  A memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a framework for cooperation to further boost and diversify Jamaica’s tourism product, was signed on December 13, 2016 by the Jamaica Tourist Board and home-sharing accommodation company Airbnb.

Ahead of the signing, at the Jamaica Tourist Board’s New Kingston offices, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett expressed his excitement about the positive impact he expects the partnership to have on the travel experience of visitors and Jamaica’s tourism product overall.

“This partnership will help expose our visitors to our rich culture and showcase the warm Jamaican hospitality for which we are known the world over. I also believe great things will come from this, as we cooperate in areas of common interest, including marketing Jamaica as a tourist destination; promoting sporting events as well as our festivals and other cultural events; and fostering responsible home sharing,” said Minister Bartlett.

The Airbnb digital platform is currently used by approximately 140 million people in more than 34,000 cities and 191 countries.  Its growing popularity has caused some concern locally from tourism interests, as it currently surpasses some major hotel chains in terms of number of beds offered and market valuation.

WASHINGTON, DC – Fellow Jamaicans and Friends of Jamaica,

I greet you warmly at this special and most wonderful time of the year.

Jamaicans across the globe look forward to Christmas for so many compelling reasons.  It is a time for celebration and festivities as we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ; for family gatherings; and for sharing with those less fortunate.  It is also a time for quiet reflection and an opportunity to look forward to a new year, full of hope and new beginnings.

As 2016 draws close to an end, we can look retrospectively on a year that was quite eventful across the globe.