Highlights from the Charles Town Maroon Conference and Festival

PORTLAND, JAMAICA – Monday, June 27, 2022 - The Maroons honored their ancestors at the 14th Annual International Charles Town Maroon Conference & Festival in a weeklong celebration from June 21-25, 2022, in Charles Town, Portland.

It was hosted under the theme, “Sankofa and the Healing of Indigenous Peoples, Lands, and Cultures”. This event also commemorated the 8th year of the Enstoolment of spiritual leader and “Queen of the Maroons”, Gaamang Gloria Simms, by the Okansi Surinamese Maroons in the person of Gaamang Johannes Ballong.

This has been the first face-to-face hosting since the lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak. There were a series of events that took place at the Asafu Yard in Charles Town, which includes the Ancestor Quao Spanish River, and online on Zoom.

Events included rituals, greetings, and cultural and academic presentations from various stalwarts in Jamaican history. Participants involved in the celebration included Acting Colonel Marcia Douglas of Charles Town, Charles Town Drummers and Dancers, Rastafari warrioress, Mama Fiyah, Reggae princess, Pam Hall, multiple Jamaican Festival Song competition awardee, Roy Rayon, and Dr Dave Gosse, Institute of Caribbean Studies of the UWI. The general theme was that of acknowledging the past and its importance in directing the future of the Jamaican people.

Ian Fleming International Airport - Boscobel, St. Mary

The first scheduled commercial flight into Ian Fleming International Airport since its renovation in 2011 was welcomed yesterday by an official delegation.

As the destination’s tourism sector continues its strong recovery, Jamaica is pleased to welcome the inaugural weekly flight from Providenciales, Turks & Caicos (PLS), into Ian Fleming International Airport (OCJ) in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, by Inter Caribbean Airways that arrived yesterday, June 16. The new route marks the first time a carrier is offering scheduled commercial air service into the airport since the completion of its renovation in 2011.

The Jamaica Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, who was on site to welcome the flight, added: “Air connectivity is the single most important factor in growing visitor arrivals and building tourism. Therefore, this partnership is key to creating the infrastructure needed to make Jamaica an aviation hub while simultaneously beginning a new chapter in the development of this region of our island.”

In addition to Minister Bartlett, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board, Donovan White, and select local dignitaries were on hand to mark the celebratory occasion.

Tourism Minister of Jamaica - Edmund Bartlett Credit: Rudolph Brown

WESTERN BUREAU:

Jamaica seems set to equal its 2019 tourist arrival figures, with June and July giving strong indications of what Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has tagged as a “strong recovery”.

June 2022 has seen 224,721 stopover visitors to the island, surpassing June 2019, which had registered 222,448 visitors, Bartlett told The Gleaner Saturday, hours after returning to the island from the Sustainable Coastal and Marine Tourism event in Lisbon, Portugal.

This is the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic closed the country’s borders, decimating arrival numbers, that any month has exceeded 2019 numbers.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left), makes a point of interest to H.E. Badr Al Badr (second right), deputy minister for investors outreach – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia while looking on are (from second left) Alok Jain, chairman of Port Authority of Jamaica; Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism and Senator Aubyn Hill, minister of industry, investment and commerce at the Jamaica

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the world's top twenty largest economies. They have a G.D.P of Eight Hundred billion US dollars, which positions the country to always be seeking out new investment opportunities. On Friday, July 8, 2022, Saudi Arabia Deputy Minister of Investors Outreach H.E. BADR Al BADR led a small delegation on a special visit to Jamaica, after his trip from the Dominican Republic to discuss investment prospects in Jamaica. He stated that the Caribbean has become a priority zone for investments and business partnerships for Saudi Arabia and Jamaica as the third-largest economy put them on the top of the list. 

He was among an eighty-member delegation of government representatives and investors from Saudi Arabia that came to Jamaica on Friday. The visit comes a day after the Saudi-Carib investor's forum in the Dominican Republic.  Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica's Minister of Tourism, states that the visit comes as a result of two and half years of discussion with the kingdom of Arabia. The Prime Minister of Jamaica posits that Jamaica is placed to receive a ray of investment. The contingent is particularly interested in tourism, business processing outsourcing, technology, and warehousing.  H.E. BADR Al BADR also stated that they are looking for attractive incentives. He pointed to the concession that they receive in other countries for twenty and thirty years. If they could get like fifty years in Jamaica, it would open other opportunities like access to skilled laborers and health care workers for Jamaica. The government also stated that they will be seeking out other investment opportunities despite the threat of a global recession.  

Source: TVJ News

Prime Minister Andrew Holness (left), makes a point of interest to H.E. Badr Al Badr (second right), deputy minister for investors outreach – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia while looking on are (from second left) Alok Jain, chairman of Port Authority of Jamaica; Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism and Senator Aubyn Hill, minister of industry, investment and commerce

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the world's top twenty largest economies. They have a G.D.P of Eight Hundred billion US dollars, which makes the country always open to investment opportunities. On Friday, July 8, 2022, Saudi Arabia Deputy Minister of Investors Outreach H.E. BADR Al BADR led a small delegation on a special visit to Jamaica, after his trip from the Dominican Republic to discuss investment prospects in Jamaica. He stated that the Caribbean has become a priority zone for investments and business partnerships for Saudi Arabia and Jamaica as the third-largest economy put them on the top of the list. 

He was among an eight-member delegation of government representatives and investors from Saudi Arabia that came to Jamaica on Friday. The visit comes a day after the Saudi-Carib investor's forum in the Dominican Republic.  Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica's Minister of Tourism, states that the visit comes as a result of two and half years of discussion with the kingdom of Arabia. The Prime Minister of Jamaica posits that Jamaica is placed to receive a ray of investment. The contingent is particularly interested in tourism, business processing outsourcing, technology, and warehousing.  H.E. BADR Al BADR also stated that they are looking for attractive incentives. He pointed to the concession that they receive in other countries for twenty and thirty years. If they could get like fifty years in Jamaica, it would open other opportunities like access to skilled laborers and health care workers for Jamaica. The government also stated that they will be seeking out other investment opportunities despite the threat of a global recession.  

Source: T.V.J News

Benin-Presidential-Palace

The Prime Minister of the State of the African Diaspora has been invited to Benin by President Patrice Talon for the inauguration of an exhibition linking the treasures of the past with the works of art of the present.

For more than a hundred years, these cultural goods that had been stolen and looted in the colonial context had been illegally detained by France. It was the treasure of Abomey, and in particular the throne of King Ghézo, the throne of King Glèlè, the recades, the royal statues and the sacred doors of the palace.

As you may recall, a few years ago, Dr. Louis-Georges Tin launched the campaign for the return of these treasures. He had pressured France, threatening the government with a resounding legal action, and under pressure, Mr. Macron had finally accepted this request. That is why the Prime Minister of the State of the African Diaspora was invited to Benin on November 10, 2021, when the treasures arrived in Cotonou. But they were still in boxes.

Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett and Kenya’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Najib Balala at the 2022 UN Ocean Conference: Sustainable Coastal and Marine Tourism Launch Event held today (June 29) in Lisbon, Portugal.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; June 29, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has given his support to the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy’s (Ocean Panel) vision of accomplishing a viable tourism economy in less than 10 years.

He was giving the keynote address at the 2022 UN Ocean Conference: Sustainable Coastal and Marine Tourism Launch Event in Lisbon, Portugal, today (June 29).  The Ocean Conference is being held under the theme “Scaling up ocean action based on science and innovation for the implementation of Goal 14: Stocktaking, partnerships and solutions”.

During his address, Minister Bartlett pointed out that “Jamaica fully endorses the goal of the Ocean Panel to achieve a sustainable tourism economy by 2030.”

In reiterating his support, Mr. Bartlett stressed that “the health and sustainability of our oceans are critical to the survival of the tourism industry”, adding that “the role of healthy marine and coastal systems in promoting sustainable tourism is especially worthy of recognition.”

NDTC dancers

Preparations are in earnest for the 60th anniversary season of the National Dance Theater Company of Jamaica (NDTC).

The season which will run over four weekends (Friday to Sunday) from July 22 to August 14 — will showcase works from the group’s repertoire over the past six decades as well as new works specially choreographed for the commemorative year.

Artistic director Marlon Simms told the Jamaica Observer that patrons will be excited by the old favorites which have been revived for this signal anniversary, as well as new works which represent the growth and continuity of the company, co-founded by Rex Nettleford and Eddy Thomas in 1962, the year Jamaica gained independence from Great Britain.

“The preparations and rehearsals are intense at this time. Having been off the stage at this level for the past two years due to the pandemic means that there is a level of relaxation among the members of the company, which is understandable. So I have to meet them where they are, and encourage them to get to desired levels, because the truth is there has been no need to demand this level of rigor on their bodies over the past two years. We have to awaken the spirit and get them to that level,” Simms shared.

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.

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

Tourism minister welcoming first commercial flight at the Ian Fleming Intl Airport

KINGSTON, Jamaica— Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, says a single-visa regime among Caricom member countries should be the next critical consideration in rationalising entry protocols in the region.

“[This is] for touristic purposes and can be provided for visitors coming into your space for 30 days or three days… a simple platform that allows everybody and anybody to apply for a Caricom visa that allows you entry into all the Caricom countries,” the minister said.

He was speaking at the inauguration of scheduled commercial flights into the Ian Fleming International Airport, at Boscobel, St Mary, on Thursday, June 16.

Bartlett said the region needs to adopt a new approach to air transportation and develop new ideas about collaboration, using the support of today’s technology.

Lopesan Costa Bavaro Resort Spa & Casino in the Dominican Republic

I’m taking an evening walk through a winding, palm-lined avenue.

I walk by a cinema and a French brasserie, a luxury goods shop, a cigar and rum lounge and an artisanal coffee shop. Families and couples stroll by as a DJ spins Latin music for the evening. 

This could be the Bal Harbour Shops, or a Spanish village, or a high-end shopping plaza in Palm Beach or California. 

But it’s not. It’s in the heart of an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana. 

Carnival in Motion. Photo Credit: Russ Ensley

All it took was one quarantined pandemic for people to acknowledge their need for diversity regarding entertainment options. With stage shows, parties, and concerts being halted, the need arose to use the abounding online world to provide entertainment that would not worsen the global situation. This highlighted the resilience of the Caribbean people, in using a popular Jamaican proverb, to “tek yuh han tun fashion”.

Caribbean culture has been spread through online platforms mainly with the use of social media. Some of these platforms are Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and the key one being TikTok. Aspects such as language, music, and dance, have lit up a world that seemed to go dull at the onset of the pandemic. Although there are some tenets that we would not want to be highlighted, others have taken these taboo and ostracized beliefs to formulate trendy and appreciated content.

The potential of Caribbean culture to “take over the world” is unquestionable, however, it needs to be encouraged by the various government agencies and given a considerable level of priority. By using our strengths to receive profit, we secure a sustainable economy which benefits the region financially and otherwise. When we tap into the vast potential that lies within the Caribbean streets, then we will recognize that we possess all we need to enhance our situation.

Source: Alethia Campbell

Mandeville, Jamaica. December 23, 2021.   The announcement of Minister of Tourism, The Honourable Edmund Bartlett, on December 3, 2021 at the 24th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly in Madrid, Spain, of his intention to invest and promote Village Tourism in Jamaica is welcomed by all Community Tourism partners.   Delegates who approved the Redesigning Tourism for the Future Task Force agreed that this was a big victory for World Tourism.

BRAND Jamaica is known for being the home of the fastest man and the fastest woman on planet earth, Usain Bolt and Elaine Thompson-Herah, Reggae, Bob Marley and its first National Hero, Marcus Mosiah Garvey.  Jamaica is also the HOME OF COMMUNITY TOURISM, having given it birth some 47 years ago and been so branded in 1994 by Dr. Louis D’Amore, founder, International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT).  The title has since grown to include the Caribbean Region.  Community Tourism has in turn given birth to Villages as Businesses, a world recognized and acclaimed programme created in Jamaica and implemented and exported locally, regionally and internationally with a focus on community economic tourism.

The Tourism Minister’s announcement is in fact an award-winning decision based on the following truth: it is endorsing the passion, philosophy and commitment of Diana McIntyre-Pike, tourism pioneer, which has earned her and Villages as Businesses some 25 awards spanning 40 years. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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”.

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.