IDB study finds that capital levels at companies are still 20 per cent lower than they were before the pandemic began.

A new study by the Center for Global Development (CGD) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) finds that many companies in the Caribbean survived the pandemic by slashing investment. However, this decline now threatens to constrain the region's economic recovery.

To reverse the situation and prevent it from leading to a type of "economic long COVID," where a weak private sector fails to create jobs and stimulate economic growth, governments in the region are being encouraged to actively pursue a series of policies to help companies boost investment and hire new employees.

These are among the key findings of the new report which examined the balance sheets from a large number of companies across the region and discovered that, despite an economic recovery in 2020 and 2021, capital levels at companies are still 20 per cent lower than they were before the pandemic began.

"While it is good news that relatively few larger firms failed, the drop in their productive capital implies significant scarring and threatens the region's economic growth," said Andrew Powell, principal advisor of the Research Department at the IDB.

The Jah Jah Nyahbinghi Initiative and Conference is being held in collaboration with Mt Kailash Rejuvenation. The conference theme is Justice and Healing or Justice and Heaping (Jah Jah N I). The conference seeks to engage participants in unifying around the theme through ‘reasoning,’ discussion, resolution and call to action. The conference began July 21, 2022 and goes through August 17, 2022.

Rt. Honourable Priest Kailash Leonce & Rt. Honourable Itopia Leonce, Founders of Mt Kailash Rejuvenation Centre (MKRC) and Co-Convenors of the Conference, Ras Dr Wayne Rose, General Secretary of the Ubuntu Rastafari Movement Inc. and Co-convenor of the conference and their team have successfully amassed delegates from across the Caribbean, the Americas and world to attend the conference.

Priest Kailash Leonce often says “greatness is a choice, one makes a conscious decision to be great.” In fact, the Honourable Priest recently told student delegates of Johns Hopkins who were enrolled in the Summer program of the School of Sacrament Rastafari University (SOSACRU) at the MKRC Campus that he expects greatness from them, at least two of the seven he expects to see on major network television as a success in their designated areas of study. The visionary students replied that they may all surpass the challenge.

The Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress (EABIC) has been an integral part of the conference providing continual Boboshanti Iziz (Praise) service. The House of Nyahbinghi, St Lucia has combined with the Boboshanti EABIC to create a seven-day sacred iziz with drumming which created a sacred, mystical vibration mornings and evenings at Mt Kailash Rejuvenation Centre (MKRC).

Mt Kailash Rejuvenation Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

All Roads Lead to Mt. Kailash Rejuvenation Center in St Lucia

Montego Bay, Jamaica July19, 2022. Rastafari from around the world will converge on Mt. Kailash Rejuvenation Center in St. Lucea, the Eastern Caribbean, beginning July 21, 2022 through August 25, 2022.

Jamaica is in the process of tourism recovery and is looking to expand its market to include the Asian market. In an exclusive interview with India Outbound at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, Edmund Bartlett, the Minister of Tourism, said he hopes to use the Middle East as a springboard to reach the Asian market. When asked what Jamaica’s objectives are in the Arabian Travel Market, Bartlett stated that Jamaica is looking at the Middle East Market as a gateway to reach Asia, especially India, North Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Jamaica, Bartlett commented is using this as an opportunity to engage the big countries of the GCC Qatar, Emirates, and Saudia. He noted Jamaica is very Strong in North America and developing in South America but nonexistent in the Asia market, which he hopes to change. He noted that the discussion with Emirates is not only a good opportunity for Jamaica, but for the entire Caribbean. It will have a ripple effect as they will have access to these travelers through Jamaica. Multi-destination tourism has also become a part of the conversation to ensure everyone in the Caribbean benefits from the deal. The first quarter of the 2022 tourism season, he contented, started off slow because of the Omicron variant, it eventually picked up in February and March they were seventy-eight percent of 2019 levels. The summer, he predicts will prosper because of summer travel from the US and Jamaica to sixty (60) celebrations that will see Jamaicans in the diaspora coming from all over to join the celebrations.

The United States he notes is the biggest contributor to the tourism market in Jamaica with a one-hundred and seventy-three (173) percent increase from the US market in the quarter so far. India, he notes, is the next big oyster for Jamaica, and is one of the major countries in Asia, Jamaica is trying to reach. Due to Jamaica's various offerings as a destination for weddings and families, he knows the Indians will gravitate to the country. He notes that while cruise tourism plays an important role in Jamaican offering, stop-over arrivals are at the heart of the sector. It is still essential, he notes, as it provides instant convertible capabilities for the ordinary man in the country. It is also used as an opportunity to convert from a cruise to a longer stay.

Source: Media India Group.

Celebrating Quao Day

In a five-day Charles Town Maroon celebration entitled Sankofa and the Healing of Indigenous Maroon people, Land and Culture, Day 3 was recognised as Quao Day. The celebration was hosted by Okomfo Afua Fofie (Carol Miller) and foundiing DIrector of Sankofie. Colonel Marcia Douglas brought Greetings (Akwaaba).

Quao was a brilliant and strategic military leader who, along with Nanny, his Sister, and other Maroons fought the British in the first Maroon War 1728 -1940 to gain freedom from an oppressive system that dominated them. In fact Okomfo Fofie (Nana Fofie) said Nanny, and her brothers Accompong, Cudjoe, Johnny and Quao arrived as freed persons with a desire to resolve the issues related to enslavement and gross mistreatment of their people.

Nana Fofie offered libations then facilitated a group prayer activity which required groups to be formed. An egg, representing life, and unity was held and individual prayers made before releasing the egg to Oshun, River Goddess of Sweet Water, also known as Mame Wata in Jamaica. The writer belonged to a group with a beautiful infant baby girl and her parents who were invited to the ceremony so that she would get an early immersion into her cultural heritage. The baby was passed from hand to hand and messages whispered in her ears while she slept peacefully. Paulette Simmonds, CEO of Steppin Out Loud begain the prayers and she was given the the egg and a feather to say the closing prayer, everyone entered the water and Paulette deposited the egg in the water. It was a rewarding group experience of love and unity. 

 
The Spanish river, filled with lore of whirlpools and river spirits was one of the places in nature that helped Quao to win this war. Libations were poured, the abeng blown, and Djembe drums sounded the language of the spirits, as our Maroon warriors were remembered and honoured by those who "were chosen by the Ancestors to be present."

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Hope Heaven, Writer
www.Caribnewsroom.com

Mama Fyah and Gaamaa Gloria Simms

GaaMaa Gloria Simms and Mama Fyah, are two spiritual stalwarts in the Maroon and Rastafarian community. Gamaa Gloria commemorated the 8th Anniversary of Gaamaa Enstoolment, Wedneday, June 22, 2022, Asafu Yard, Charles Town, Portland.

The event is to recognise the role and significance of the Gaamaa as a Spiritual, Political and Cultural leader for the Maroon Communities and as a pillar of the Maroon nation. The aim of the title is to maintain communication with ancestors who provide direction for the community. This is not unusual for Indigenous peoples such as the Taino, Aboriginal or African cultures to have spiritual leaders who bring messages from the Ancestors and can be seen as an added value in the age of modernity.

The Gaamaa stool surrounded by a Tribute of Fruit

Mama Fyah, is a Warrioress who commemorates the Ethiopian Battle of Adwa in Portland annually on March 1st. She was a guest speaker who brought greetings at the Festival. They are seen here in conversation at the maroon celebration titled Sankofa and the Healing of Indigenous Maroon People, Land and Culture.

Eliminate A.N.T. Brain Fog

Do you sometimes too often choose to act on the negative thoughts surfing in your mind? You can eliminate Automatic Negative Thoughts (A.N.T.) through Cognitive Behavior Therapy, an effective therapeutic intervention developed by Psychiatrist Aaron Beck.

You can learn how to cancel negative thoughts and reset with more meaningful, purposeful and life-enhancing thoughts within 21 days. Begin to practice now to be alert, pay attention to your thoughts, cancel negative ones and reset with new thoughts. This is a powerful tool to rewire the brain’s neuronal network by forging new pathways. It can be done in 21 days according to research; you will create more positive changes in your brain as well as your life.

Strategies for Eliminating A.N.T.:

List your recurring A.N.T. thoughts.

June 10, 2022, Panama City, Panama.

State of the African Diaspora (SOAD) Emergency Response ERS has been working behind the scenes to assist African Students in Hungary, Germany and Czech Republic to relocate, resettle and bring some normality back to their lives.

SOAD is a borderless State formalized at the Africa Union Summit in Mauritania on July 1, 2018. It is responsible for the welfare of its citizens in the Diaspora and continental Africa.

SOAD ERS command center is providing crisis management in the evacuation and resettlement of African students from Ukraine, victims of the Esmeraldas Earthquake and Rehabilitation of Ukraine Orphans.

Ambassador, Olasubomi (Ola) Iginla Aina, MBE, SOAD and a Director for Lightup Foundation, UK has displayed outstanding bravery in the face of danger during her recent mission to rehabilitate Orphans in Lviv, Ukraine. Recently, Ambassador Ola’s selfless work has resulted in her appointment as Minister of Youth for SOAD. She has also reported that Germany is resettling its African Migrant Students, several have been awarded €350. She did not waste any time to forge new linkages. In her new capacity, Her Excellency made official courtesy calls on two former Nigerian Presidents – His Excellency Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria in her new capacity. Excellency Ola Aina also sought much needed scholarships for African Students.  In addition, Goodwill Ambassador to Ukraine, Bill Tingling, based in New York, also assisted with Scholarships.

The ERS has procured financial assistance for African Students in Budapest, Hungary. However, more funds and support are greatly needed from humanitarian organizations, churches and volunteers to offset the growing need for accommodation for students in Budapest and Czech Republic. ERS is also providing advocacy with immigration matters as some students are facing possible deportation.

Her Excellency Olasubomi Iginla Aina MBE and His Excellency Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan GCFR, GCON

Recently appointed as a Minister of Youth of the State of the African Diaspora (SOAD), Her Excellency Olasubomi Iginla Aina MBE, has just initiated discussions with two former presidents of Nigeria: His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo and His Excellency Goodluck Jonathan . The topic of these briefings was the situation of the African students who were in Ukraine and had to evacuate the country. Currently, the Minister of Youth is discussing with former president Obasanjo about the need of scholarships for these African students.

Ambassador Olasubomi, a Director of Lightup Foundation, who was then a SOAD ambassador, organised a tour of European nations that share a border with Ukraine. This initiative was to ensure that African refugees would receive the necessary support they required for evacuation, to help identify needs and see how such needs could be urgently met.

The Ambassador went to Poland, Slovakia, Hungary Germany and Romania. In two of these countries, she helped the communities to call the media and to organise the fundraising activities that were so necessary. She also engaged with universities such as Cyprus International University CIU which has provided scholarship support for students fleeing the
war in Ukraine.

Also, in Germany, the Ambassador helped the refugees to manage the situation in a context where they could not understand what they were asked to sign, because of the langage barrier, and some of them had their travel documents seized.  She advocated for the release of all seized documents, after several advocacies, the German government acknowledged they were wrong and returned all seized documents. As at today many of the refugees in Germany have been registered and they are currently receiving €350/month from the German government.

Left to Right : Melkamsera Fekadu, Keturah Amoako, Jasmin Rowe, Kemuel Guthrie at the African Union Headquarters

The 25^th May, 2022 marked World Africa Day 10^th Year anniversary of the Heads of State and Government, Representatives of the AU, the West Indies, Latin and South America and varied representatives from the African Diaspora who met during the Global African Diaspora Summit in Sandton, Joburg, South Africa and the historic adoption of the AU-African Diaspora Declaration concerning the Diaspora, 6^th Region of Africa.

The Diaspora Declaration can be read here :  30970-doc-global_diaspora_summit_declaration-e

The Roots-Synergy Roundtable which invited Pan-African organisations, civil society organisations, NGOs, CBOs, etc. has taken the initiative to come together to discuss and review 10 years after the Declaration was made and what decisive action or developments have been mobilised or achieved by the AU since its ratification.

The Pan-African Roots Synergy was initiated and spearheaded by Dr. David Horne of the Sixth Region Diaspora Caucus; Dr. Barryl A. Blekman of the AU African Diaspora 6^th Region FWG Europe; Dr Chidebere Anelechi Ogbu of African Diaspora Union and Mrs Grace Abena James of 6^th Region African Diaspora Alliance in Tanzania.

The Prime Minister of the State of the African Diaspora (SOAD) is pleased to announce the nomination of two new Ministers of Government.

The new Minister of Finance was already an Ambassador of SOAD. Coming from Morocco and the United States, he is an international expert in finance, global assets management, and currencies. He served as special advisor to the former UN Secretary General, Dr Boutros Boutros-Ghali, also as special advisor to the former President of the EU Parliament, Dr Enrique Baron Crespo, and he is currently CEO and Chairman of Titanium Capital Mining Corporation.

The new Minister of Youth was also an Ambassador of SOAD, she has been very active in supporting African students evacuated from Ukraine and relocated in Eastern Europe. She has travelled to Ukraine in April, visiting 11 Orphanages. She has successfully established a support network for several families there. She has worked for many years supporting and empowering young people and the disadvantaged in Nigeria and in UK. In 2019, Ambassador Ola was appointed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of United Kingdom as a Member of the Excellent Order of the British Empire MBE. She was also appointed by the Nigerian government as the First Diaspora Ambassador to Nigeria.

 -Source: SOAD News as SOAD ERS
  Caribnewsroom.com           

New York, USA; May 4, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett today called for a full debate at the United Nations and relevant agencies on the challenges to tourism recovery, with a focus on resilience-building through funding for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that are highly tourism-dependent but weakly resourced.  He noted that the issue of supply chain disruptions in terms of goods and services as well as human capital, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, had made the prospects of an equitable recovery challenging. Minister Bartlett was delivering his keynote address at the United Nations General Assembly Roundtable today under the theme “For People: Leaving No One Behind Through Inclusive Tourism”. It was part of the General Assembly’s High-level Thematic Debate on “Putting Sustainable and Resilient Tourism at the Heart of an Inclusive Recovery” held at the UN Headquarters, New York. The debate was organized in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

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SOAD-Emergency Response System, Panama, March 25, 2022.

The State of the African Diaspora (SOAD) Emergency Response System (ERS), has answered the call to rescue and evacuate African students and their families out of war-torn Ukraine.

SOAD is a borderless State formalized at the Africa Union Summit in Mauritania on July 1, 2018. It is responsible for the welfare of its citizens in the Diaspora and continental Africa.

The SOAD ERS, was created through a government decree and is comprised of Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, Organizations and Volunteers. The ERS is led by Melvin Brown, General Director of the Command Centers and President of SOAD Parliament.

The production team of Herbology Meets Rootsology & Queenology returns with an exciting collaboration between the Temple of Inner Peace, founders Sharon and Theo Chambers and ICAN Company, founding directors Denise Isis Miller and Cover Palmer dubbed "Herbology Meets Rootsology Greets Queenology”. Queenology is the study and Science of a Queen. The focus is “Queen Healing,” which is being staged during International Women’s Month building on the theme “Break the Bias”. Parris-Chambers said “We aim to shatter the Glass Ceiling with the showcase of seven phenomenal women and their unique experiences and contribution to Health and Wellness.” The programme is staged on March 27, 2022 at the Temple of Inner Peace in West Cliff Estate, Mt Airy, Negril.

Denise Isis Miller, the conceptualizer of the Herbology Meets Rootsology Meets Queenology showcase staged the first production Herbology Meets Rootsology Tour from February 4 to February 27, 2022 in association with Temple of Inner Peace Launch and Nature Ellis Revolution Choice Live Album Launch in an island-wide showcase.  

Seven Words Sounds tells the story of what will unfold when the seven women take to the stage: Passion, Healing, Cleansing, Clearing, Faith, Grounding and Transformation. It will be Magical, with the fire blazing & purifying everything in its path, when Seven women of Worth takes the stage on March 27^th the likes of: Nadia Brown, Tourism Stalwart & General Manager Zoetry Hotel Resort & Spa; Jackie Cohen-Hope, International Buyer of Ethnic Arts & Artifacts and Designer of Mutamba Fashions; Mama Fiyah, Nyabinghi Warrioress; Nadia Brown, Tourism Stalwart & General Manager Zoetry Hotel Resort & Spa; Mama RZion, Founder of RZion Foundation Camp; Claudette Kemp, Manager for Recording Reggae Artisté Capelton and Promoter; and Angella Whitter, CEO Whitter Group of Companies & Philanthropist.

Electrifying speakers will be on hand to stimulate and empower guests during the Queen Healing Showcase: Hope Heaven (Queen Healing In Mind Body & Spirit); SherIne Gayle (Healing with Food as Your Medicine); Mama Lily (Healing from Cancer), Sharon Oshun Chambers (Womb Healing). The programme will be hosted by Denise Isis Miller presenting opening remarks with Theo Chambers. The ambiance will be mystical with Saging for positive energetic flow, Drumming, Wholistic Massage and Reflexology. Delicious Vegan food will be available for sale and Vendors with Herbal and Wellness products, books, ceramics, wood carvings and more will be available to make this showcase truly memorable.

The first showcase entitled Herbology Meets Rootsology Tour was a tremendous success. The event was a novel approach in fusing a trilogy:  knowledge of herbs, grounding with nature and music. Herbology Meets Rootsology Tour showcased the Herbalists, the Herbs & Botanicals endemic to Jamaica and asked Jamaicans to return to using their traditional herbs and herbaceuticals particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Keynote Dr Sherrill Chong, played a pivotal and grounding role as anchor in most of the four sessions held at various venues from Temple of Inner Peace (Negril Hills); Kamila’s Kitchen & Skyline Levels (Jacks Hills); Countryfarm House (Kingston); with the finale at Bob Marley Beach (Kingston). Speakers comprised Moses Chybar, Diana McIntyre-Pike, Arlene McKenzie, Bongo Roach and others.

Herbology meets Rootsology was conceptualised to merge Denise Isis  Miller's  Rootsology program with the Indigenous healing plant culture of Jamaica.  With this in mind, a tour was born, to raise the  awareness of the populace, to holistic health, wellness and transformation. 

On Saturday, Feb 19, 2022 one leg of the tour merged beautifully with the launch of The Temple of Inner Peace Retreat conceptualised by Sharon Parris-Chambers and Theo Chambers, owner/operators. This Temple is a serene space in the woods of Mt. Airy, a little district on the tip of The Negril West End.

 Founded by Theo and Sharon Chambers, this place is designed to allow nature to assist in one's healing. So, there you can unwind and reconnect with your true self. It's a place where a food forest is being created within the natural flora of a rain forest Melodious birdsong and wind chimes serenade all day long in this tranquil space, dotted with hammocks  for relaxation. The earth is welcoming of your bare feet to ground and balance yourself. Steps built amidst rocks and greenery, lead  downwards to a large  firepit at the centre of the space. Beyond that  are more  trees and nooks to slip away and find your quietness in.

Saturday’s launch saw a lit firepit, to encourage one to burn away the sorrows, woes, and heavy energies that may assail. Saging of  guests by a  gracious hostess, Sharon Oshun Parris-Chambers. Drumming  by master drummers from the Indigenous Rasta Village. Entrepreneurs who use herbs, earth and roots  to offer healing products,  displayed  their wares. There were body treatments made from castor oil, charcoal and clay. Roots tonics from master herbalists. Vegan and raw vegan foods and fresh pressed juices  to nourish and delight.

After Hollywood in the USA, Bollywood in Bombay, Nollywood in Nigeria, a new movie city will be created in Zambia, and it will be called Zollywood. The project was initiated by Dr Ngoma, CEO of National Sugar Corporation (NSC), and he has invited the State of the African Diaspora (SOAD) to participate to the initiative.

The cooperation agreement stipulates: SOAD will help link up experts from Hollywood and Bollywood to join hands with NSC. A significant piece of land will be allocated by NSC to SOAD to create Zollywood City.

After signing the agreement, Dr Ngoma expressed his satisfaction to work with SOAD on this initiative:

“I am happy to join hands with the State of the African Diaspora, which has been long awaited. Through SOAD, Africa will be transformed. It is the best thing that has happened to Africa.  And I thank the leadership of the government for accepting to work with me on our Zollywood city”.

“Herbology Meets Rootsology” was coined, during the COVID Pandemic, by veteran broadcaster Denise Isis Miller, Host of Rootsology, a lively award-winning radio show heard on Roots 96.1FM 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Isis Miller indicated that while listening to a colleague journalist, Ka’bu Ma’at Kheru, speak on Jamaican herbs and their medicinal value in Jamaica, she realized, that Jamaicans were losing the knowledge and use of our indigenous herbs. Espousing the philosophy "Health, Wealth and Prosperity Are Our Natural Birthright!" she invited Sharon Oshun Parris-Chambers and her partner husband Theo Chambers, founders of the annual Caribbean Health Tourism & Spa Conference series, to join the Initiative and Herbology Meets Rootsology was born. Isis Miller also invited Nature Ellis who is scheduled to begin a tour of his new Album Revolution Choice (Ambassador of Choice Records) to join the Herbology team in search of the herbalists, producers of Natural herbal products and services across the island for the healing of the nation. 

The Herbology Meets Rootsology showcase, is produced by Denise Isis-Miller and Cover "Jah Stephen" Palmer representing their partnership ICAN Company in Association with Temple of Inner Peace, which is managed by Sharon and Theo Chambers. The Herbology showcase will feature well-known traditional herbalists such as Bongo Roche, Mama Lily; Dr Diane Robertson, Phytotherapist and Author; Dr Sherrill Chong, Minister of Family & Social Economy, The State of the African Diaspora and founder of Kingdom Shift Now; Chef Raymond Hansen, Sea Moss Specialist from London and others. 

The Showcase runs from February 4 through February 27, 2022. 

Ambassador Audrey Marks Welcomes Minister Edmund Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 28, 2021:  Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is encouraging members of the Diaspora to invest in the local tourism sector, which continues to drive Jamaica's economic recovery. 

Speaking yesterday during the 'Let's Connect with Ambassador Marks' online series, Bartlett noted that: "We have a Diaspora with enormous wealth, experience, capabilities, talent, skill, and connectivity with communities. We need to be investing in capital formation and new enterprises in Jamaica so that Jamaica can build its capacity to respond to the demand that tourism brings." 

He disclosed that one key sector that needs investment is agriculture. He also shared that Jamaica has not been able to produce the required agricultural supplies in the numbers, volume, consistency and at the price point required to supply the hotels. 

"The next element that we are moving in on very strongly is to build out the capacity of Jamaica in this current and post COVID-19 period to deliver more on the demand of tourism. We argue that tourism is an extractive industry because we have not been able to supply the agricultural demands of the industry," said Bartlett. 

Flights are scheduled to land in Montego Bay, St James, by TUI Belgium and TUI Netherlands by April of this year.

The development comes as Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett and a small team participates in FITUR, currently the world's largest annual international travel and tourism trade show in Madrid, Spain.

“These flights bring back the Belgian and Netherlands tourism markets to where we were prior to the pandemic which is really good news,” said Bartlett.

“We are truly appreciative of the work of our team members in keeping Jamaica front and centre in these challenging times. Whilst we are on a roller coaster for the last two years, we have sought to ensure that the work to keep Jamaica firmly in the minds of our critical international partners is constantly reinforced,” added Bartlett.

Hon. Edmund Bartlett (right) presents a special award to Chief Operations Officer

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Wednesday, December 22, 2021: Against the background of tourism being the backbone of the recovering Jamaican economy, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has made an impassioned plea for the protection of the industry. 

As the tourism industry strengthens its resilience against the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister Bartlett said Jamaica had been recognized as one of the fastest recovering countries in the world and the fastest-growing tourism destination in the Caribbean. 

Speaking today at a breakfast appreciation function for workers at Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (SIA), Minister Bartlett noted that there were ominous signs of COVID-19 variants and made an impassioned appeal for everyone to safeguard the industry and the national economy by helping to manage the pandemic by getting vaccinated and following the safety protocols. 

“I have travelled to more than ten of the largest and most important destinations for tourism as well as for trade and international financing in the last six months and in every instance the message is the same, vaccinate,” he said.