UDC Collaborates With TEF And PAJ To Improve The Historic Town Of Falmouth

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has signed an agreement with the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) and the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) to improve the streetscape aesthetics of the Historic town of Falmouth in the parish of Trelawny.

The project will be funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund at a cost of $279.9m with completion scheduled for May 2015.

The main objective is to enhance the experience of residents and tourists in the historic town. This forms part of the UDC's Draft Greater Falmouth Redevelopment Plan 2012.The Development Plan seeks to preserve the area's rich heritage whilst making provision for the surrounding environs to be renewed in harmony with the built and natural environment and to ensure an improved tourist product.

The scope of this project includes: improving the entry point and aesthetics of the three main streets: Market, Falmouth, and Tharpe. Improvements to pedestrian crossings and paths/walkways and streetscaping to include banners, covered drains and paved walkways for both residents and visitors to enjoy more of the town and to move about freely in an atmosphere of safety.

Read more ...

Tourism & Economic Citizenship

In the Eastern Caribbean, the offer of citizenship in return for a sizable investment has become an important element in economic recovery. Although different countries have different schemes, the investment related to the sale of citizenship is often in a villa property and increasingly in the part-ownership of a hotel or tourism facility.

For some countries, overseas developers have emerged to package the sums associated with new citizenship into financing for the construction of new hotels, time shares or other forms of tourism scheme; sometimes employing third party agencies to seek out such 'investors' who can then be grouped together.

Read more ...

Team Jamaica Sizzles At Taste Of The Caribbean

Team Jamaica at the 2014 Taste of the Caribbean Culinary Competition, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Miami, June 28-July 2, 2014.

July 2014: Team Jamaica represented well at the 2014 Taste of the Caribbean Culinary Competition at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Miami, June 28 - July 2, 2014, earning 20 medals across a range of categories.

The Team, which comprised chefs from several local hotels brought home four gold medals, two silver, four bronze and the Caribbean Junior Chef of the Year title, won by Sanju Smith of Sandals Royal Plantation.

Team Jamaica, assembled by the Culinary Federation of Jamaica (CFJ) also included Kenrick Stewart, Manager; Dennis McIntosh, Coach; senior chefs Gian Stewart, Sandals Royal Plantation and SIlverio Marrone, Rico Chico; pastry chef, Teresa Clarke of Couples Sans Souci; bartender Leonard Broomfield, Rock House Hotel; and junior chef Nicholas Stewart, Montego Bay Convention Centre and Christopher Campbell, Runaway Bay HEART College of Hospitality Services.

Participating in the individual competitions were Richard Pinnock, Jamaica Pegasus and Gian Stewart, Sandals Royal Plantation - Beef Competition; Alberto Atiles, Sandals Grande Rivera - Seafood Competition; Rohan Henry, Couples Tower Isle - Ice Carver and Shekira Cassie, Couples Sans Souci - Cheesecake Competition.

Read more ...

JHTA Sensitizes Hotel Workers on Infectious Diseases

Kingston, Oct. 18, 2014: The Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA) has taken measures to sensitize industry workers about infectious diseases.

The Association, facilitated by the Ministry of Health, has begun a series of workshops to educate hoteliers and their staff on how to carry out preventative measures as well as how to treat with any potential suspected cases of infectious diseases including Ebola.

The first workshop was held in Negril on October 16, 2014, and others have been scheduled for Montego Bay, Kingston, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio and the South Coast in the ensuing weeks.

JHTA President, Nicola Madden Greig, noting the ban issued on travellers to Jamaica from Liberia, Sirrea Leone and Guinea, by the Ministry of Health said that "the preservation of the health, safety and welfare of Jamaicans is of paramount importance. Collectively, we must all ensure that Ebola does not occur in Jamaica."

Mrs. Madden Greig said that working with the Ministries of Health and Ministry of Tourism & Entertainment, the JHTA started weeks ago the dissemination of accurate information and sensitization about Ebola across the, island. She said the JHTA will continue to provide information and support to its members.