Travelore Update: Jamaica Reduced Travel Advisory To Level 2

On January 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of State officially reduced Jamaica’s travel advisory to Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. This update reflects the country’s progress in recovering from Hurricane Melissa, which hit the island in late October 2025 and had previously triggered an increase to Level 3.

Key details of the current Jamaica Travel Advisory include:

Risk Indicators: While the overall level has been lowered, the State Department still advises caution due to crime, health, and natural disaster risks.

Hurricane Recovery: Major airports have reopened, but western areas like Montego Bay and Black River are still in various stages of recovery from post-storm infrastructure impacts. Medical Care: The advisory warns that basic and specialized medical services may be limited in many parts of the island.

High-Risk Zones: Certain areas, including parts of St. Catherine, Clarendon, and specific neighborhoods in St. Ann, remain under a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning due to high crime.

Traveler Precautions: U.S. citizens are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive real-time security updates.

This Iconic Jamaica Resort Is Back Again, With Ralph Lauren-Designed Rooms, Staffed Villas, And Timeless Charm

One of Jamaica’s most storied hotels is officially back. Round Hill Hotel and Villas has reopened, welcoming guests once again to its private peninsula just west of Montego Bay and marking the return of a property that has long set the standard for charming Caribbean luxury. The reopening brings a full revival of the resort’s accommodations, dining, beach and wellness offerings, restoring a landmark that has shaped Jamaica’s tourism identity for decades.

A villa pool at Round Hill.

The announcement was shared with a message that reflected the significance: “The moment we have all been waiting for is finally here: Round Hill Hotel is officially ready to welcome you, our doors are open, and our hearts are full.” It signals not just a reopening, but a return to form for a resort whose appeal has always rested on continuity, discretion and place.

And yes, it really is open — the property even hosted a wedding this past weekend, a sign that it’s firing on all cylinders.

Set on a secluded stretch of coastline, Round Hill resumes operations with the same low-density layout and emphasis on privacy that have defined the property since its early days. The reopening reinforces Jamaica’s position at the high end of the Caribbean market, where legacy resorts are increasingly valued for their authenticity, heritage and restraint.

The Resort

Round Hill’s accommodations include oceanfront rooms and a collection of private villas spread across the hillside above the bay. While the historic buildings themselves reflect the resort’s original architecture, the interiors of the guest rooms were designed by Ralph Lauren, giving them a residential feel defined by clean lines, crisp palettes and an enduring sense of ease. The focus remains on the setting, with wide views of the Caribbean anchoring nearly every space.

The villas are a defining feature of the resort and have long been part of its allure. Each villa is fully staffed, typically including a cook, housekeeper and gardener, allowing guests to experience a level of privacy and service that feels closer to a private estate than a traditional hotel stay. Many of the villas come with private pools, expansive terraces and sweeping sea views, making them ideal for longer stays and multigenerational travel.

Over the years, these villas have hosted a remarkable list of guests, contributing to Round Hill’s quiet celebrity legacy. Past visitors have included figures such as John F. Kennedy, who famously spent time here before his inauguration, along with writers, musicians and actors drawn to the resort’s discretion and sense of remove. The atmosphere has always favored privacy over spectacle, allowing notable guests to blend seamlessly into the rhythm of the property.

So how do you choose between the rooms and the villas? Honestly, it’s hard. I will admit that on one trip my family and I actually started in a villa and then extended our trip to stay in one of the rooms for a few days. We loved both.

What We Like

Round Hill’s reopening restores a version of Jamaica that feels increasingly rare. This is a resort defined by proportion and permanence, where space, privacy and service take precedence over trends. The fully staffed villas remain one of the strongest draws, offering a deeply personal experience that works equally well for couples seeking seclusion or families traveling together.

The beach continues to anchor the stay. Sheltered waters, a gently curving shoreline and a setting framed by palms give the property a sense of continuity that regular guests recognize immediately. Dining, spa and wellness offerings round out the experience without overwhelming it, reinforcing the idea that Round Hill succeeds by knowing exactly what it is — and by staying true to it.

How To Get There

Round Hill is located approximately 30 minutes from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay (which is open and operating again, too). Transfers are straightforward, and the drive along Jamaica’s north coast provides a clear transition from the bustle of town to the resort’s private peninsula.

What It Costs to Stay Here

Rooms are about $1,312 per night right now, according to Google Hotels, in line with what you’d expect for mid-December.

https://www.caribjournal.com/author/karenudler/

Jamaica Launches Official Relief Platform In Wake Of Hurricane Melissa — Here’s How To Help

Hurricane Melissa passed over the western end of Jamaica on Tuesday, causing widespared devastation. The extent of the damage is not yet known.

Jamaica PM Andrew Holness.

Some 530,000 residents in Jamaica are currently without electricity, according to local reports.

The Government of Jamaica has launched an official relief and recovery platform following the impact of Hurricane Melissa. The new website — supportjamaica.gov.jm — is designed to coordinate relief efforts, mobilize support, and provide critical resources for those affected by the storm.

Through the platform, users can make secure donations, submit pledges, report emergencies, and find nearby shelters. It will also serve as a key tool for Jamaicans abroad who want to contribute to national recovery efforts.

Government officials are reminding the public to ensure they are using only official websites. “If it doesn’t end with .gov.jm, it is not an official Government of Jamaica website,” the announcement emphasized.

Hurricane Melissa made its closest approach to western Jamaica, bringing heavy rain, flash flooding, and widespread damage across parts of the island. Relief operations and emergency response efforts are now underway.

For verified information, updates, and ways to help, visit Support Jamaica.

https://www.caribjournal.com/author/admin/

Jamaican Government Urged To 'Fully Decolonize' With Bill To Ditch King Charles

Many Jamaicans want their country to ditch King Charles as head of state but a bill presented by the government to do just that has frustrated some critics of the monarchy who believe the change should go further to slash colonial ties.

Jamaica gained independence in 1962 but - like 13 other former British colonies - it still retains the British monarch as its head of state.

Public opinion on the Caribbean island of nearly 3 million people has been shifting for years, and in December the government of Prime Minister Andrew Holness presented a bill to remove King Charles.

Hundreds of thousands of enslaved Africans were shipped to Jamaica during transatlantic slavery, and many scholars and advocates say the legacy of slavery and colonialism has resulted in or played a role in enduring inequities. Growing calls by African and Caribbean nations for reparations to address past wrongs have added to a shift in sentiment across the region.

Britain has so far rejected calls for reparations. On the issue of removing the monarchy as head of state, Buckingham Palace usually says such matters are for the local people and politicians to decide. On a visit to the Bahamas in 2022, Prince William - who is now heir to the throne - said he supports and respects any decision Caribbean nations make about their future.

The Jamaican bill - which could be debated in parliament as early as this month or next - would have to be ratified in a referendum if passed.

Before that, some critics - including the opposition People's National Party (PNP) - are raising objections to how a future president would be selected, what his or her role would be, and which court should be Jamaica's final court of appeal.

Steven Golding, head of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, founded more than a century ago by Jamaican civil rights leader Marcus Garvey, said the group and others had long advocated for the removal of "the last vestiges of the colonial umbilical cord".

But he added: "We must make sure that it's not a cosmetic surgery being done... we don't want to swap having a British monarch... to having a titular president. I would like to see an executive president, directly elected by the people."

Longstanding calls by some Jamaicans to abolish the monarchy picked up steam after Barbados, another former colony in the Caribbean, removed the late Queen Elizabeth as head of state in 2021. Holness told Prince William during a visit by the royal in 2022 that his country wanted to be "independent".

A survey by pollster Don Anderson in 2022 showed 56% of people in Jamaica wanted the monarch removed, up from 40% a decade earlier.

A PRESIDENT AS HEAD OF STATE

According to the government's bill, Charles' representative in Jamaica - the governor general - would be replaced by a president nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the opposition leader.

If the two could not agree on a candidate, the opposition leader could recommend a name, and if that were not accepted, the prime minister could choose a nominee who would then be elected with a simple parliamentary majority.

Donna Scott-Mottley, a spokesperson on justice for the PNP, said removing Charles would be the "final birth of a true nation" but the way the president would be chosen under the bill "compromised everything". "If you (PM) wanted your right-hand man to become president, you simply do the nomination," Scott-Mottley told Reuters.

Former Prime Minister P. J. Patterson has also voiced opposition, saying the president would be a "puppet of the prime minister".

The government did not reply to a request for comment on the criticism.

'FULL DECOLONISATION'

The bill is likely to pass the lower house of parliament as the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) currently has the two-thirds majority required, but it will need at least one opposition vote when it moves to the upper house.

Even if rejected by the upper house, the bill can still be put to a national referendum, which the government hopes to hold by next year. To pass, the referendum would need two-thirds of the vote, rather than just a simple majority.

A general election due this year may delay the process.

Another point of contention is the London-based Privy Council, the final court of appeal for UK overseas territories and some Commonwealth nations. Critics say this should be replaced by the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Accessing the Privy Council can be expensive and cumbersome as those who wish to argue their cases there need a visa to travel to Britain. Caribbean nations such as Barbados, Belize and Guyana have replaced the Privy Council with the CCJ.

Accessing the Privy Council can be expensive and cumbersome as those who wish to argue their cases there need a visa to travel to Britain. Caribbean nations such as Barbados, Belize and Guyana have replaced the Privy Council with the CCJ.

The Jamaican government has said matters related to the court would feature later in the "phased reform", and that Jamaicans would be able to weigh in on the matter.

Christopher Charles, professor of political and social psychology at the University of the West Indies, said keeping the Privy Council was like wanting to get divorced while keeping "a room in the matrimonial home". Scott-Mottley said it would be "anachronistic" to drop Charles as monarch but still use his court.

Constitutional change advocate Haile Mika'el Cujo said keeping the Privy Council could put people off from voting in the referendum: "People are not going to sign off on that."

"We believe that time has come for full decolonisation... not piecemeal or partial or phased," said PNP's leader Mark Golding.

Reporting by Zahra Burton in Kingston and Catarina Demony in London; Editing by Frances Kerry Disagreements over the Privy Council have led the PNP to pause its participation in the committee working on the bill.

Tourism Booms In Jamaica After Pandemic, Overwhelming Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.

The number of tourists flocking to Jamaica’s sun-drenched beaches soared nearly 100% in the first three months of the year, causing long queues and hours-long waits for arriving passengers at the island’s main airport.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett told The Associated Press that the problem stemmed from a shortage of airport staff to process the unexpected volume of people flying into Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay since the end of the pandemic.

Bartlett told Parliament later that day that there were 1.18 million arrivals from January through March — 94% more than the same period of 2022 and a record high for Jamaica’s tourism high season.

“The recovery has been stronger than anticipated and everybody all over the world is having difficulty with their airports because … (many) of the workers have not come back,” Bartlett said.

He said authorities plan to spend more on technology as they strive to do away with paperwork at the airport, including ending a requirement for visitors to fill out a form upon arrival.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the problems at Sangster underscore the need to push through the $70 million modernization and expansion project that already was underway.

The work is scheduled to be completed by 2025, and Honess said the improvements at the Caribbean’s largest and busiest airport “will make Jamaica more attractive and make Jamaica more competitive with other countries in the region, which have also invested heavily in improving their infrastructure.”

As part of the project, the runway is being lengthened at a cost of $34 million, work that is expected to be finished in June.

We are excited about the prospects of Sangster being able to accommodate these mega airlines that will be flying to Jamaica and the Caribbean,” Bartlett said during the AP interview last week.

He said the Tourism Ministry’s growth plan aims to have the island draw 5 million visitors annually by 2025. That would be a 35% increase from Jamaica’s peak of 3.7 million tourists in 2022.

Bartlett said Asian and Middle Eastern countries are among new markets being targeted and the airport must be able to accommodate the larger aircraft that would be used on such long-haul flights.

In 2019, before the pandemic, the airport processed 4.7 million passengers, including citizens and visitors. The number of tourists to Jamaica peaked at 3.7 million in 2022, 70% of whom used the Sangster gateway.

Sangster is managed by MBJ Airports Ltd., a consortium 74.5% owned by a subsidiary of the Mexican airports operator Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico and the rest by Vantage Airport Group of Canada.
The consortium, which has a 30-year concession that began in 2003, said it spent $287 million to improve the airport in the first 18 years of the deal.

Among the improvements, the airport operator has expanded the immigration hall and departure lounge. The check-in area was recently outfitted with 60 self-service kiosks, with plans to install more, to reduce passenger processing and waiting times.

Jamaica Will Start Charging All Travelers A Health Insurance Fee In November

Travelers will have to pay $40 to cover emergency costs.

Jamaica is introducing a mandatory insurance fee travelers must pay to gain entry to the country. Starting in November, travelers will need to pay $40 as part of the island's Jamaica Cares program to cover emergency medical services. The fee is basically a “public-private” insurance that will cover travelers against illness, including COVID-19, and natural disasters while visiting Jamaica. It will cover the cost of case management, transport logistics, field rescue, evacuation, and repatriation for medical emergencies up to $50,000 while on the island and $100,000 while traveling. Launched in partnership with the Global Tourism Resilience Crisis Management Centre and two travel health insurance firms on Monday, it protects travelers from the moment they leave home until they return. “Jamaica Cares delivers an unmet need in the travel industry by providing primary medical coverage and medical evacuation services,” Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Co-chairman, Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, said in a statement. “The traveler knows they’re protected, and they know other travelers are, too. That’s what’s needed to give confidence to travelers when they are ready to travel.” Jamaica reopened to tourists on June 15, requiring new precautions like temperature checks, results of a negative COVID-19 test, and a Travel Authorization application for all travelers who do not hold a Jamaican passport. When the Jamaica Cares program rolls out, it will be included on the Travel Authorization form.

The part of Jamaica that is currently open to tourists is known as the “Resilient Corridor” and includes most popular vacation spots like Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios. Travelers who wish to travel beyond the corridor are required to quarantine for 14 days after arriving in Jamaica. Travelers may also be subject to limitations, like curfews. Jamaica has reported a total of 8,652 cases of COVID-19 and 184 deaths, according to data from the Ministry of Health. More than 1,100 of the cases were reported during the last two weeks. The CDC has placed a Level 3 warning against nonessential travel to Jamaica, saying that the COVID-19 risk is high. BY CAILEY RIZZO Source: https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/jamaica-mandatory-health-insurance-policy-tourists

Caribbean Update: Which Islands Are Ready For Travel?

Many travelers love to shake off the winter blues with trips to sun-splashed Caribbean islands. There’s nothing more magical than the pairing of winter festivities with tropical landscapes, but after the ravages of hurricanes Irma and Maria, which islands are equipped for visitors? Follow these guidelines to help decide your Caribbean travel plans:

Islands That Were Not Impacted by Hurricanes and Are Completely Open For Business

•   Jamaica
•   Aruba
•   Curacao
•   St. Lucia
•   Barbados
•   The Cayman Islands
•   Grenada
•   Haiti
•   Trinidad & Tobago

Islands That Were Minimally Impacted and Are Open

Antigua: The island sustained minor damage from the hurricanes and only one hotel, Galley Bay Resort and Spa, remains closed but is expected to open a few days before Christmas.

The Bahamas:  The main tourism centers of Nassau and Grand Bahama weren’t affected and remain open for cruises and travelers. However, the Out Islands of Acklins, Ragged, and Crooked Islands are currently not open to tourists.

The Dominican Republic: The minimal damage to a few hotels and resorts has been repaired and all hotels and airports are open.

Islands That Were Impacted By The Hurricanes and Are Mostly Open

Cuba: The iconic malecon seawall that runs along the coast of Havana received some damage and flooding in half of the city but everything has been cleared and ports, hotels, and attractions are open. Resorts in the Varadero area were slightly damaged but have been repaired.

St. Kitts and Nevis: The hurricanes ripped through the sister islands and damaged a few resorts, but all are now open.

Turks and Caicos: Power outages and considerable damage to some resorts have affected the island, although the airport and majority of hotels are now open. Beaches Turks and Caicos and Amanyara Resort recently reopened on Dec. 15 and Club Med Turkoise is closed until Jan. 31, 2018.

Islands With Major Damage and Only Partial Openings

Anguilla: A major portion of the island’s infrastructure was damaged but re-building has been steady and 30 percent of hotel, apartment, and villa rooms are now available, as are most restaurants. A majority of resorts are scheduled to reopen by spring 2018. The airport is open and most ferry services have been restored.

Barbuda: Irma tore apart 95 percent of this tiny island’s infrastructure, and restoring the island’s airport, water, and the island’s frigate bird population are still in process. Robert De Niro is helping efforts by moving ahead with his plan to build the Paradise Found Resort on the island.

British Virgin Islands: Airports and seaports are open but power has not been completely restored on all the islands. Most resorts are still re-building, but the cruise ports and yacht harbors are open.

Puerto Rico: While power has been restored to 68 percent of the island, 9 percent of the population still doesn’t have water or roofs on their homes. Cruises have returned to the port, some hotels are open, and tourism is returning to Old San Juan. Many travelers are volunteering to help clean up through voluntourism organizations.

St. Barts:  Electricity has been restored and some hotels and villas are open. The St. Barts Music Festival is still scheduled to kick off  in January.

St. Martin/Maarten: The airport is open but minor repairs are still being done in phases. 70 percent of hotels were damaged on the Dutch side of the island and many beaches were also damaged. Cruises returned to the island in early December.

St. Croix and St. Thomas: The power and water infrastructure has been restored to almost half the population on both islands and airports and cruise ports are open. Many of St. Croix’s hotels are open, including The Buccaneer, Club Comanche Hotel St. Croix, Cottages By The Sea, Frederiksted Hotel, and Sand Castle on the Beach. On St. Thomas, Bellavista Bed & Breakfast and At Home in The Tropics Bed & Breakfast Innare open as well as restaurants and shops in the main shopping areas on both islands. Festivities for the Crucian Christmas Festival on St. Croix are scheduled through Jan. 6.

St. John: Cleanup on the island is continuing, although iconic beaches of Trunk Bay, Honeymoon, and Hawksnest are cleared and open for visitors. Hotels including Sea Shore Allure and Gallows Point Resort are also open for guests.

By Rosalind Cummings-Yeates

One Of Our Favorite All-Inclusive Resort Brands, Bahia Principe Is Offering Up To 55% Off Travel Through Dec. 2018 & Kids Stay Free For Cyber Monday

Grand Bahia Principe Jamaica

From all-inclusive romantic getaways to family escapes, Bahia Principe has something for everyone’s taste in the Dominican Republic – where the brand was named the hotel chain of the year, Jamaica and Mexico.

Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts

• Deal: Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts – the leader in all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean --- wants guests to experience happiness with up to 55% off nightly rates and a kids stay offer at select properties in Dominican Republic, Mexico and Jamaica.
• Travel window: The discounted rates apply to travel between Nov. 18, 2017 and Dec. 22, 2018.
• Booking window: Travelers must book between Nov. 18 – 28, 2017.
• Booking Link: www.bahia-principe.com
• Extra Info: In addition to up to 55% off nightly rates, the brand’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday promotion includes up to two kids free at Grand Bahia Principe Punta Cana, Grand Bahia Principe La Romana, Grand Bahia Principe El Portillo and Grand Bahia Principe Jamaica, and one child stays free at the brand’s newest property – Luxury Bahia Principe Fantasia, and beachfront Luxury Bahia Principe Esmeralda in Punta Cana. Blackout dates apply. Kids free is applicable when staying with two adults.

Bahia Principe Extends Happiness Week, Offers Exceptional Savings And An Unbeatable Value On Travel Through 2018

Luxury Bahia Principe Fantasia

The Award-Winning brand has extended Happiness Week – a value-driven campaign offering up to 55% off stays at the brand’s diverse properties throughout Mexico and the Caribbean

Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, a leading all-inclusive resort chain in the Caribbean, with properties in Dominican Republic, Mexico and Jamaica, has extended its value-driven campaign with enticing and exclusive discounts of up to 55% on hotel bookings and kids stay free deals valid on travel beginning Nov. 1, 2017, through December 2018. The unique campaign will run through Oct. 3. 

Bahia Principe’s multiple properties offer endless possibilities, an all-inclusive experience that invites all vacationers to experience happiness and with the brand’s first ever Happiness Week campaign the happiness is also in the savings. Guests can enjoy its trademark, five-star quality service and diverse collection of curated experiences at an exceptional value that is affordable and approachable for couples, families and large groups alike. Travelers should act fast, with only one week remaining to take advantage of these savings but they have over a year to travel to the brand’s award-winning resorts.

“The happiness of our guests is our greatest priority,” said Helen Montijano, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the U.S. and Canada. “Happiness Week features our most aggressive discounts of the year and allows vacationers to enjoy our elevated, all-inclusive experience at an unbeatable price point, including travel during peak season and holidays. We’ve chosen to extend this unique sale so travelers can find happiness in the savings and keep smiling as they look forward to their next Bahia Principe vacation.”

Bahia Principe offers one of the most comprehensive products on the market, with properties that are adults-only, multi-generational, upscale, off-the-beaten-path, health conscious and more. Guests can take advantage of savings at 14 hotels in the Dominican Republic, where the Dominican Association of Tour Operators (ADOTUR) and Dominican Republic’s Popular Bank named Bahia Principe the Hotel Chain of the Year. Guests can also choose one of the brand’s four properties in Mexico’s Quintana Roo or experience true Caribbean flavor at two hotels in Runaway Bay, Jamaica.

Enhanced savings via a Kids Stay Free offer presents a unique opportunity for parents to make summer plans early. Highlights at the brand’s kid-friendly properties include family suites in select hotels, kids clubs and waterparks. These amenities are accentuated by three fairytale castles at the brand’s newest property, Luxury Bahia Principe Fantasia in Punta Cana, recognized earlier this month with a 2017 Crystal Apple Award, one of the most coveted awards in the travel industry, as the best all-inclusive family resort.

Kids Stay Free is available at select hotels on travel May 1 – Oct. 31 and at Luxury Bahia Principe Fantasia May 1 – June 30 and Sept. 1 – Oct. 31. Restrictions on number of children and room categories apply. Guests can

book stays online or via a travel agent beginning Sept. 19 through Oct. 3. For more information visit www.bahia-principe.com

About Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts

Grupo Piñero’s Bahia Principe hotel chain has a presence in the Dominican Republic, where it is the market leader in terms of the number of hotel beds, as well as the Riviera Maya (Mexico), Jamaica and Spain (in the Canaries and Balearic Islands). Year after year, the Bahia Principe hotels receive a large part of the most prestigious international awards for quality that are given in the vacation industry. Alongside its high-end hotel facilities, the Piñero family’s company also manages two large luxury home resorts: Playa Nueva Romana Residences & Golf (Dominican Republic) and Bahia Principe Rivera Maya Residences & Golf (Mexico). The company has also developed other lines of business in the tourism industry, the most notable of which include the tour operator business (Soltour and BP-USA Travel) and guest reception services (Coming2).

Jamaica Welcomes New Air Service Between Germany, Spain And Portugal

Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett announced at the ITB global tourism tradeshow in Berlin, Germany, and at the International Hotel Investment Forum, that new flights to Jamaica are set for the summer from Germany as well as Spain and Portugal.

Germany

One of Europe’s leading airlines, Eurowings, a subsidiary of one of the world’s biggest airline companies, Lufthansa, will begin operating a twice-weekly scheduled service between Germany’s largest populated metropolitan region and Montego Bay, Jamaica, beginning July 3 this year.

The announcement was made at a meeting led by Minister Bartlett with the Chief Commercial Officer of Eurowings, Oliver Wagner, and other company executives while attending the ITB global tourism tradeshow in Berlin, Germany. Minister Bartlett was joined by Jamaica’s Ambassador to Germany Her Excellency Margaret Jobson; Director of Tourism, Paul Pennicook; Senior Advisor and Senior Communications Strategist, Delano Seiveright; and Deputy Director of Tourism – Marketing, Jamaica Tourist Board, Marcia McLaughlin.

“The scheduled flights will operate every Monday and Friday from Cologne/Bonn, and will use their Airbus 330 aircraft which has 310 seats. Flights will run July 3 through to October 27, 2017, and will bring over 10,000 seats from Germany for the summer. Already Eurowings has advised us that they will extend the service into the winter with those seats opening up for sale within days,” Minister Bartlett pointed out.

The new scheduled service will complement weekly charter services operated by German air carrier Condor from the German cities of Frankfurt and Munich into Montego Bay.

Director of Tourism, Paul Pennicook noted that the flights, “Will all be scheduled as opposed to a charter, meaning in addition to being sold by any tour operator they can be also booked by the public anywhere in the world on any booking site, for example Expedia and Kayak. It is really a big deal for us as we work to regain a stronger foothold in the German and wider European market.”

Jamaica’s tourism officials are also excited that the flights will be operating out of Cologne/Bonn International Airport, which forms part of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region – the largest in all of Germany with a population of over 11 million. Today, the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region accounts for roughly 15% of the GDP of the German economy, which would place it economically as the 3rd largest metropolitan area in the European Union and the 16th largest GDP in the world.

Mr. Seiveright noted that, “Germany is being strategically targeted by Minister Bartlett as he ramps up efforts to boost Jamaica’s tourism sector and contribute more significantly to the country’s growth and development.”

The Tourism Minister and his team are currently in Berlin, Germany, participating in the largest tourism tradeshow in the world, ITB Berlin, and the International Hotel Investment Forum, which focuses on delivering opportunities to persons who currently operate within the tourism industry or who want to do business in the sector, including tourism and government officials. He also participated in a special press briefing to boost publicity worldwide for the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) historic Global Conference on Building Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism for Development, which has now seen the World Bank Group come on board, and which is being hosted by Jamaica, November 27 to 29, 2017, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St. James.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (center) and Oliver Wagner (3rd right), Chief Commercial Officer of Eurowings, share a light moment following the announcement of twice-weekly nonstop scheduled flights between Germany and Jamaica at ITB in Berlin, Germany. Joining in the moment are (l-r) Falk Durm, Director, Eurowings; Margaret Jobson, Jamaica’s Ambassador to Germany; Delano Seiveright, Senior Advisor and Senior Communications Strategist; Paul Pennicook, Director of Tourism; and Thomas Labonde, Vice President of Eurowings.

Spain and Portugal

Weekly charter flights between Spain, Portugal, and Jamaica beginning June this year, represent just some of the good news pouring in as Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett continues his visit to Germany to participate in the largest tourism tradeshow in the world, ITB Berlin, the International Hotel Investment Forum, among other engagements with investors and tourism interests.

Spain and Portugal will have charters operated and sold by the Barcelo Group under their tour operator brands, Bartlett noted.

“The Portugal flights will be operated by Orbest from June 9 to September 29 and goes out of their capital city Lisbon, with an Airbus 330 aircraft that seats 388 passengers. The flight will make a stop in the Dominican Republic before continuing on to Montego Bay and vice versa. Meanwhile, the Spain flights will be operated by Evelop non-stop out of their capital city, Madrid into Montego Bay from June 4 to October 28 with an Airbus 330 aircraft that seats 388 passengers,” Bartlett stated.

Bartlett indicated that the flights out of Portugal and Spain are critical to the continued diversification of Jamaica’s tourism sector and is in line with deliberate and concerted efforts to gain a stronger foothold into the European markets.

Director of Tourism, Paul Pennicook noted that both new charters from Portugal and Spain will be operated by planes owned by the Barcelo Group one of the leading and vertically integrated tour companies headquarted in Spain. “They have already started promoting the Jamaica program covering familiar properties in this first phase such as all AM Resort properties, Riu and Iberostar. A minimal number of seats will sold by Sol Tour on both flights which will probably amount to 50 seats on the Portuguese flight and 88 on the Spanish flight,” said Pennicook.

Both Bartlett and Pennicook were joined in Germany by Senior Advisor and Senior Communications Strategist Delano Seiveright and Deputy Director of Tourism – Marketing, Marcia McLaughlin.

Bartlett is currently in Berlin, Germany participating in the largest tourism tradeshow in the world, ITB Berlin and the International Hotel Investment Forum, which focuses on delivering opportunities to persons who currently operate within the tourism industry or who want to do business in the sector, including tourism and government officials. He is also participated in a special press briefing to boost publicity worldwide for the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) historic Global Conference on Building Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism for Development, which has now seen the World Bank Group come on board as partners. The event, which is being hosted by Jamaica, will run from November 27 to 29, 2017, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

PHOTO: Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett (2nd right); Senior Advisor and Senior Communications Strategist, Delano Seiveright (2nd left); and Deputy Director of Tourism – Marketing, Marcia McLaughlin (3rd left) are seen here with the Jamaica Tourist Board’s German team members in Berlin, Germany participating in the largest tourism tradeshow in the world, ITB Berlin.

Winter Break Trips To Warm Volunteers’ Hearts

Projects Abroad encourages everyone to stay active and give back throughout the holiday season by volunteering abroad

Projects Abroad Care & Community volunteers distribute Christmas gifts for disadvantaged children in Jamaica

The days are getting colder and longer, and summer is giving way to the fiery red foliage of fall. Winter break is fast approaching and instead of snuggling up indoors over the holidays, start looking for opportunities to use your time to help and support others. To keep the productivity flowing and encourage altruism during this time of year, Projects Abroad offers a range of Winter Break Trips. These short-term group volunteer trips run from 1-4 weeks and are designed to give volunteers the means to make as great an impact as possible in a short period of time. They are ideal for those who want to keep the momentum going over the holidays and give back through childcare or building work or gain practical experience on a medicine program. Each Winter Break Trip gets you out of the house and takes you to a community where you can contribute to ongoing development efforts, meet new people, and explore a different country and culture. Projects Abroad welcomes volunteers of all ages and skill levels on these trips, including vacationers interested in a different experience, students looking to add to their skill sets, and professionals wanting to get away from the office. Volunteers can sign-up on their own or join with friends, family, or a partner. The programs offered by Projects Abroad each have their own schedules for volunteering and sightseeing, and volunteers choose where they want to go. No prior experience is needed to join, says Monica Alarcon, a Program Advisor for Projects Abroad USA. "On your first day, you will be taught everything you need to know about your placement and the culture of the country you are working in. This is valuable for each volunteer, from those who are new to volunteering to those who have previous experience." Rebecca K, who joined the Medicine Project in Sri Lanka last winter, enjoyed the experience of volunteering over winter break immensely: "I learned a lot while abroad, I got to help people in need, and I had a lot of fun. I would recommend to those traveling to arrive with an open mind and an open heart, and to not let your fear of the unknown limit the learning experience waiting for you." Joining a Winter Break Trip is a wonderful way to give back over the holiday season by adding value to both the community and yourself. This year, the following programs are available between December 2016 and January 2017: Care & Community in Ghana (2 weeks) Care & Community in Jamaica (1 week) Care & Community in South Africa (2 weeks or 4 weeks) Care & Conservation in Madagascar (2 weeks) Medicine in Ghana (2 weeks) Medicine in Sri Lanka (2 weeks) Disaster Relief in Nepal (2 weeks) To find out more about how participate in a Winter Break Trip with Projects Abroad, please visit www.projects-abroad.org/volunteer-projects/winter-break-trips.

About Projects Abroad Projects Abroad was founded in 1992 by Dr. Peter Slowe, a geography professor, as a program for students to travel and work while on break from full-time study. The program had its genesis in post-USSR Romania, where students were given the chance to teach conversational English. After a few years just sending volunteers to Eastern Europe for teaching, the company expanded to sending volunteers of all ages around the world on a wide range of projects. Projects Abroad is a global leader in short-term international volunteer programs with projects in 30 countries and recruitment offices in the UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Holland, Hong Kong, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden and the United States. For details on volunteering abroad, visit Projects Abroad’s web site at www.projects-abroad.org.