Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett last night welcomed more than 700 Kiwanis club members from the Eastern Canada and the Caribbean District for their annual convention at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. The 2024 Kiwanis Eastern Canada and Caribbean (EC&C) District Convention is being held from May 16-18, 2024. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Bartlett described the event as “this very important convention that is setting the stage for discourses in various areas of human development, with a particular emphasis on children.” Kiwanis is a global organization in over 80 countries with more than half a million members dedicated to improving the world one child, one community at a time, through its mantra “Serving the Children of the World.” Against this background, Minister Bartlett in his keynote address, said: “There are some little ones that are coming up in whose hands the future of the world rests, and in whose lives the prosperity of planet Earth is going to be predicated.” He anticipated that the discourse at the convention would be heavily focused around service and adding value to service, targeting the planet, people and prosperity.
Bartlett Welcomes Investor Confidence Signalled by Catalonia Resorts’ Acquisition of Holiday Inn
09.05.2024 - 05:49 / breakingtravelnews.com / Edmund Bartlett
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has expressed his excitement about the recent developments within the Jamaican tourism industry as Catalonia Hotels & Resorts yesterday (May 7) announced its purchase of the Holiday Inn Resort, Montego Bay from East Bay Management Company Limited, led by prominent Jamaican businessman Kevin Hendrickson. Minister Bartlett celebrated the move by Catalonia, a respected international hospitality brand, as a strong signal of confidence in Jamaica’s tourism sector and a potential trigger for further investments.
Concerning this, the tourism minister said, “The acquisition of the Holiday Inn Resort by Catalonia Hotels & Resorts signifies not just a successful handover from a local leader to a global brand but also the continued attractiveness of Jamaica as a destination for world-class hospitality investments.”
Minister Bartlett commended Mr. Hendrickson for his significant contribution to the tourism sector, saying, “His continued commitment to excellence and his leadership at not only Holiday Inn Resort but across the entire Courtleigh Hospitality Group have undoubtedly contributed to the property’s success and, ultimately, to its appeal for a prestigious brand like Catalonia.”
In a joint press release announcing the purchase, Mr. Hendrickson noted that it was a difficult decision to sell the resort. “I am proud to leave it in the hands of a company with such prestige and hotel experience as Catalonia Hotels & Resorts. We wish to thank all our guests for their passionate support over the last sixteen (16) years and for making us a part of your family,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Catalonia Hotels & Resorts expressed their enthusiasm for expanding their presence in the Caribbean. “We are excited to expand our presence in the Caribbean with the acquisition of this resort. As a Spanish hotel chain with over 40 years’ experience in tourism this acquisition represents a major landmark for the company, intensifying our presence in the Caribbean, and highlighting our commitment to expansion into new and vibrant markets,” said Mr. Félix Navas, General Manager for Catalonia Hotels & Resorts.
In the meantime, Catalonia has outlined ambitious plans for the property as they intend to invest significantly in it within the coming months to ensure it aligns with their high standards while maintaining a strong commitment to the local community and environment.
“This focus on employee well-being and positive local impact aligns perfectly with Jamaica’s own emphasis on sustainable tourism development and value chain integration at all levels of the sector,” added Minister Bartlett.
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Saudia Holidays to help open Middle Eastern Market to Jamaica
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Share a tip on an unsung UK seaside town – you could win a holiday voucher
In the last two decades many UK seaside towns have undergone a quiet transformation. Art galleries, boutique hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants are breathing new life into once down-at-heel resorts such as Blackpool and Margate, while coastal hotspots like Padstow, Southwold and Whitby continue to draw the crowds on sunny days. While these places are popular for good reason, we’d love to hear about your favourite “unsung” seaside towns – the places that don’t often grab the limelight or become unpleasantly overcrowded, but which have kept their charm intact. You could win a £200 holiday voucher (sorry if you were hoping for a cuddly toy or some candyfloss).
Jamaica Records 1.7 Million Visitors
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