Speeches

SALUTATIONS:

• Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia “Babsy” Grange
• Opposition Spokesperson on Tourism, Dr. Wykeham McNeill
• Mrs. Allison McLean, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport
• Dr. Donna McFarlane, Director/Curator, Liberty Hall
• Members of the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Afternoon...  
• It is a pleasure to be here with you this

Colleague Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Morning...

·       It is my pleasure to be here this morning to participate in this special meeting of the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA) Ocho Rios Chapter and the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce (SACOC).

·       These ongoing discussions between the public and private sectors are imperative as we continue to formulate strategies

My fellow Jamaicans, this week we place special focus on undoubtedly Jamaica’s most important sector, Tourism.

Yes, this is Tourism Awareness Week, which runs from September 25 to October 1. This year it will be observed under the theme “Tourism for all, Promoting Universal Accessibility,” which underscores the firm direction we have taken just six months in office in broadening

Salutations:

Fellow tourism partners, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen…good morning.

• Tourism is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing industries yet it is dominated by small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs).
• It is therefore inevitable that visitors to Jamaica will encounter and support these enterprises regularly, whether they are eating at a restaurant, staying at a guesthouse, visiting

The cruise industry has become the fastest growing segment in the travel industry around the world.  Cruise holidays have boomed with a dynamic 248% increase in the last seven years (ITB World Travel Trends Report 2015/2016). 

·        In Jamaica, cruise passenger Arrivals grew by 23.5% for the month of June, with 110,086 passengers from 25 cruise ship calls. 

·        I have appointed a National