… , Puerto Rico) — Saturday marks the final day that nearly 1,800 Puerto Ricans will … hurricane victims to travel to Puerto Rico using FEMA assistance or start … program,” the senators wrote.
The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority reported that …
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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor
Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has unveiled the new Global Center for Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management, a first-of-its-kind resource based in the Caribbean at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus in Jamaica.
The Center’s mission is to carry out policy-relevant research and analysis on destination preparedness, management and recovery from disruptions or crises that impact tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods globally.
“In today’s world, tourism has become an important, if not vital, contributor to peace-building, the sharing of cultures, and creating opportunities for mutual understanding,” Bartlett said. “To guard Jamaica and our partners throughout the Caribbean from extreme weather events, natural disasters and political turmoil, The Global Center for Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management will ensure that we can continue to benefit from the economic, social, cultural, and historic value that tourism has to offer.”
It is expected to be operational in September, with an official launch scheduled for January 2019, during the Caribbean Travel Marketplace, which will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Center.
A 2017 report issued by the World Travel and Tourism Council reported that, while tourism remains strong globally, travelers are increasingly concerned about safety in the face of unrest and terror conflicts, public health crises, climate change and natural disasters, and cybercrime and cyber-security.
By convening domestic and international policymakers and practitioners at all levels of government, the private and non-profit sectors, and academia, the Center will develop innovative, research-based strategies to address and confront current and future threats.
The Center will also include a Sustainable Tourism Observatory, which will assist with preparedness, management and recovery from disruptions.
Like the European Union Tourism Observatory, the Jamaica Center’s observatory will support policymakers and businesses develop better strategies to support a more competitive global tourism sector.
“Our goal is to build the capacity to anticipate what will happen by tracking disruptions to withstand them, managing the process when they arrive, and recovering not just in real time, but in Nano time, so as to ensure the stability of our region,” Bartlett said.
The Center has already taken proactive steps to strengthen disaster preparedness in Jamaica.
Six satellite phones were procured for destination managers from the resort locations of Negril, Montego Bay, Kingston, Ocho Rios, Falmouth, Portland and St. Thomas.
The devices are designed to help improve communications between the Ministry and its agencies, the tourism emergency operations center, National Emergency Operations Center, resort areas, and wider tourism partners and stakeholders.
Bartlett appointed Dr. Lloyd Waller, the Head of the Department of Government at UWI, to oversee the establishment of The Center in a consulting role.
Dr. Waller, holds a PhD in Sociology and Social Policy from the University of Waikato, New Zealand, with a specialization in Information and Communication for Development and Advanced Research Methods.
The Center will be governed by a Board of Directors and an Advisory Committee, comprised of corporate thought leaders, academics and policy experts.
It will also establish a corporate membership program to provide a means for companies with interests in these areas to support the work of The Center and participate in its research, advocacy and resilience programs.
The Center was first announced during the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s Global Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism, held in Montego Bay during the 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.
The post Jamaica Establishing Global Center for Tourism Resilience appeared first on Caribbean Journal.
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By the Caribbean Journal staff
Taking the time to plan your next career move? A Caribbean vacation is always a good way to start.
That seems to have been the plan this week for global basketball superstar and three-time NBA champion LeBron James, who spent this week vacationing on the island of Anguilla.
James, who was staying in a massive villa on Meads Bay, posted several times on Instagram documenting his getaway.
The Anguilla Tourist Board confirmed that James was staying in the ultra-luxe “Beach House Anguilla.” (Below and in cover photo).
The Beach House.
That was highlighted by video of his traveling companions jumping off a cliff in Anguilla’s Little Bay.
After doubts emerged that James, too, had made the jump, he posted video of himself making the cliff jump into the Caribbean water.
“Everyone asking me if I really jumped earlier from my story early on today, well here you go!”
It’s a rather big boost for Anguilla, which was hit hard by Hurricane Irma and is still in the process of building back its tourism sector. Most of the destination’s top hotels (like the Belmond Cap Juluca) remain shuttered until the winter season.
The ATB got into the action on the major publicity opportunity, with the island’s tourist board replying to many of the comments on James’ posts.
James has long been a fan of the Caribbean, particularly The Bahamas, where he has regularly traveled over the years.
— CJ
The post LeBron James Vacations in Anguilla appeared first on Caribbean Journal.
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Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló, right, joined by Puerto Rico‘s Resident Commissioner … the Puerto Rico Admission Act of 2018, a bill to chart Puerto Rico… .
Carolyn Kaster / AP
WASHINGTON — Puerto Rico’s non-voting representative in Congress … cause for 5.4 million Puerto Ricans to currently reside in the …
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By the Caribbean Journal staff
The JW Marriott brand is coming to Panama.
The Bahia Grand Panama, which first opened in 2011 as a Trump hotel, will be rebranded as a JW Marriott. It had been operating as an independent hotel.
Ithaca Capital, Hotel ToC and Marriott International signed the agreements to rebrand the property as a JW Marriott under a long-term management contract with Marriott.
“We are thrilled that our hotel will operate as a JW Marriott and we believe that this partnership, together with a talented team and spectacular hotel amenities, will be a success. We look forward to welcoming new and returning guests to this iconic property,” said Orestes Fintiklis, managing partner of Ithaca Capital.
The hotel is set in the tallest building in both Panama and Central America.
“Marriott International is proud to partner with Ithaca Capital for the re-launch of this iconic hotel in Panama City, a growing gateway city and a critical hub for Latin America. This hotel will represent the twelfth operating JW Marriott branded hotel in our region,” said Laurent de Kousemaeker, Chief Development Officer, Marriott International, Caribbean & Latin America Region.
The property has a total of 369 rooms and three restaurants, along with a large conference facility.
The post JW Marriott Opening in Panama appeared first on Caribbean Journal.
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