A Tourism Boom for Jamaica?

By: - October 31st, 2011

Above: the Ritz-Carlton Montego Bay

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jamaica’s tourism industry could see as many as 20,000 new jobs, along with 15,825 new rooms completed by 2013, according to Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

Holness was speaking at the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association’s 50th Anniversary gala Saturday night in Montego Bay.

That includes as much as $700 million in new investment in the industry, he said, with five new attractions to open in the resort areas of Montego Bay, Falmouth, Ocho Rios and Kingston.

“The government is sensitive and keen to support the industry as a critical pillar of the Jamaican economy,” he said. “I’m encouraged by the level of discourse and robust debate that will ensure a workable consensus towards a new economic template for Jamaica.”

Jamaica

Interview with Jamaican Parliamentary Candidate Damion Crawford

By Alexander Britell Damion Crawford, People’s National Party candidate for the East Rural St Andrew seat in Jamaica’s Parliament, attended Kingston College, and then went to the University of the West Indies, where he received a master’s degree in tourism management, a field in which he also lectured. In November 2008, he was elected the […]

Jamaica

Grenada's Thomas, in Paris, Calls on UNESCO for Educational Support

By the Caribbean Journal The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation needs to “deepen the partnership” with member states to help transform education, according to Grenadian Prime Minister Denzil Douglas. Thomas, who was speaking at the Leaders Forum of the 36th Session of the General Conference of UNESCO in Paris last week, challenged the […]

Jamaica

Dubtonic Kru’s Jubba on Inspiration, Roots and the Global Reach of Reggae

In a short time, Jamaica’s Dubtonic Kru have made their mark on reggae, topped by winning the Global Battle of the Bands competition in Malaysia in February, taking home the title of best new band in the world. Dubtonic Kru’s Founding members, Deleon “Jubba” White on drums and Strickland “Stone” Stone on bass, are joined […]

Jamaica, IDB Talk Benchmarks

 Above: Finance Minister Audley Shaw (JIS Photo) Jamaica and the Inter-American Development Bank have discussed structural benchmarks identified by the country’s government to strengthen the economy and increase competitiveness. These areas include tax, pension and public sector wage reforms, according to Finance Minister Audley Shaw, who said it was his government’s prerogative to ensure a […]

Chef Nigel Spence on Jerk, Caribbean Cuisine and Beating Bobby Flay

Born in Jamaica, New York-based Chef Nigel Spence has in a short time become one of the leading Caribbean chefs in the United States. From defeating celebrity chef Bobby Flay on the latter’s show, “Throwdown,” to helming a successful restaurant, “Ripe Kitchen and Bar,” which he opened in 2003 in Mount Vernon, New York, Spence […]

United Nations' Fernandez "Concerned" over Arrest of Haitian Lawmaker

Above: Finance Minister Audley Shaw (JIS Photo) Jamaica and the Inter-American Development Bank have discussed structural benchmarks identified by the country’s government to strengthen the economy and increase competitiveness. These areas include tax, pension and public sector wage reforms, according to Finance Minister Audley Shaw, who said it was his government’s prerogative to ensure a […]

US, OECS Establish Diplomatic Ties

Above: Charlestown, Nevis (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff The United States and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States have formally established diplomatic relations. OECS Director General Dr Len Ishmael called it “the beginning of a new chapter in the long and enduring relationship between the United States and its friends in the Eastern […]