Positive Tourism News

KINGSTON, Jamaica, March 28, 2015: Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, has expressed regret at the fire at the Moon Palace Resort in Ocho Rios but has been informed that work on the construction of the property is expected to resume on Monday.

“My information from the management is that the blaze was confined to a small area of the hotel and the cause is still under investigation,” Minister McNeill said. “I am in touch with officials and as soon as a report is available I will issues another statement,” he added.

The landmark property, which was acquired by Mexico’s Palace Resorts in July 2014, is set to be officially reopened as Moon Palace Jamaica Grande this year. Throughout the construction and refurbishing of the property, over 400 staff, formerly employed to Sunset Jamaica Grande, have been kept on the payroll by the company. Some of the staff have received training in Mexico.

“This US$40,000,000 investment will mark Palace Resorts’ first step outside of Mexico and is indicative of the quality new players who are entering the Jamaican market.  I am hopeful their schedule will get back on track soon despite this setback,” said Minister McNeill.

Montego Bay, Jamaica, W.I. (March 22, 2015) Patricia Berry-Greenidge has crisscrossed the Atlantic and Caribbean Seas in her quest to bring ITEC (International Therapy Examination Council) standards to the Caribbean. She began blazing trails as the Principal of Personal Body Healthcare Clinic and School of Holistic Therapies Inc., which is accredited by ITEC and IFPA (International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists).  The first graduating class of PBHC Jamaica, comprising of ten graduates, received their ITEC Holistic Massage diplomas on March 14, 2015 at Sunset Beach Resort & Waterpark, Montego Bay.

Prior to establishing the Clinic & School in 2007, Patricia was a university lecturer,  professional therapist and Spa Consultant in Barbados, teaching Holistic Massage Therapy, Business Professionalism, Reiki and Alternative and Complementary Therapies, to name a few. Having travelled the world, she possesses intimate knowledge of exotic and indigenous spa and wellness therapies and products. She is the mother to a son who is a practicing lawyer, and a grandmother to three boys.

Her contribution to humanity is through teaching her students how to be conscientious, professional and responsible in providing alternative & complementary therapies.   Through her practice and training in holistic massage and alternative healing therapies, she has changed the lives of many. Dudley Malcolm is one such graduate, employed as an ITEC Massage Therapist at Sunset Beach Resort & Waterpark, sponsor of the graduation exercises.

The graduate therapists aware of the tremendous impact this phenomenal woman has made upon them during the course of their study of holistic massage from July 2014 until December 2014, are now charged with the responsibility to provide ITEC professional care and standard for their own clients and students. ITEC graduate, Janet McLeod, CEO at Plantation Soapworks, Jamaica has decided to become an official ITEC trainer, which would facilitate those seeking ITEC accreditation.