GOING OUT
With a strong culture, rich food heritage, and global music, Jamaica has an array of offerings for locals and visitors to the island.
What activities do you provide for Jamaicans and tourists alike?
IAN DEAR Margaritaville is our foundation brand and that experience is all about coming in and enjoying the natural environment of the Caribbean. We encourage people to spend the day with us, and while they are on the island, we offer them a day-long entertainment experience alongside great food and beverage services. In 2006, we broadened our focus to provide multi-branded food, beverage, and entertainment experiences for major transportation hubs throughout the Caribbean. At Sangster International Airport (MBJ), we entered into a long-term agreement to provide all the post-security F&B offerings and have 23 different locations onsite. We also recently signed with Starbucks in a joint venture partnership with Adam Stewart and opened our first store at Doctor's Cave Beach in Montego Bay. We plan to roll out more locations.
ROBERT RUSSELL I have a long tradition of being involved with music and business. There has been an evolution of music in Jamaica, and now there is a shift back to reggae. We had a concert with an up-and-coming reggae act called Chronixx that was so popular we had to turn people away. In Jamaica, the dancehall still reigns supreme because it is a reflection of our culture. Our music has also had an impact on hip-hop in the US, and now it is having an effect on our music. We keep abreast of the market. Every Friday we have a party and play different types of music to judge reactions and popularity. The audience is a mix of tourists and Jamaicans, and it keeps our finger on the pulse.
What is your outlook for Jamaican tourism in the coming years?
ID Jamaica has seen tremendous growth in tourism numbers. Our operations were seasonal for a long time; however, in the last two years we have seen business become more constant. Hotels are full and retain their rates all-year round. For various reasons, Jamaica has become primarily an all-inclusive destination. However, we have not done as great a job at developing and maintaining areas outside our resorts. There are opportunities to create and develop our out-of-resort experiences. If we can upgrade the destinations and experiences, we will start to see a new element of tourism here. People will be encouraged to come out of their all-inclusive resorts, have a great experience, and get a true sense of Jamaica.
RR 2017 will likely be our best year for tourism ever, and 2018 will be better. We avoided a great deal of the damage that a number of other islands suffered in the hurricanes, and people rerouting to our islands benefited us. Jamaica has more attractions than all the other islands combined, and we will continue to do well. There is a great deal of diversification in the Jamaican tourism product, and our attractions are excellent. I would like to see health tourism develop more in Jamaica. Attracting medical tourists would be a major boost to the economy, and it would mean development in a number of areas.
What are your future plans and projects?
ID We are constantly evaluating and seeking to understand the evolution in the marketplace. The younger traveling customer base seeks unique immersion experiences, and we have to adapt and create a product to meet this demand. We have to ensure our business model continues to fit with what our customers want. We are constantly seeking to create new partnerships that are relevant to our customer base and brands. There are more opportunities and the Jamaican government and the Ministry of Tourism are leading the country in the right direction.
RR A number of people are asking about franchising. We look to open another location in Jamaica as well as franchises overseas. There is one in London and possibly one in the Cayman Islands soon. We also plan to take reggae on an American tour. We recently entered the hotel business as well. We were able to organize an attractive deal with the bank as it owned the mortgage. The hotel was recently refurbished, and its location is excellent. Occupancy has been high.
GOING OUT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister, Jamaica
TBY talks to the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, on efforts to foster sustainable and inclusive growth, the main challenges ahead for the nation, and its key successes in improving the business environment.
read articleInterview
Diane Edwards, President, Trade & Investment Jamaica (JAMPRO)
TBY talks to Diane Edwards, President of Trade & Investment Jamaica (JAMPRO), on making investments throughout the whole value chain, becoming a regional distribution hub, and boosting niche agricultural output.
read articleInterview
Courtney O. Campbell, President & CEO, Victoria Mutual
TBY talks to Courtney O. Campbell, President & CEO of Victoria Mutual, on the origins of financial inclusion in Jamaica, helping people get a start on their property journey, and assisting young businesses to exploit a positive business environment.
read articleInterview
Raymond Walker, Founder, Chairman & CEO , Caribbean Assurance Brokers Ltd. (CAB)
TBY talks to Raymond Walker, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Caribbean Assurance Brokers Ltd. (CAB), on fighting for its clients, using environmentally sound methods to drive down costs, and continuously driving innovation.
read articleInterview
Emanuel DaRosa,, President & CEO, Jamaica Public Services (JPS)
TBY talks to Emanuel DaRosa, President & CEO of Jamaica Public Services (JPS), on pursuing common goals in the best possible way, utilizing Jamaica's most abundant natural resources, and satisfying half of Jamaica's energy needs through renewables.
read articleInterview
Winston Watson, Group General Manager, Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ)
TBY talks to Winston Watson, Group General Manager of Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ), on keeping a hand in both green and black energy, helping the government reach its 2030 Energy Vision targets, and educating people on the importance of conservation.
read articleFocus: LNG Investments
Light My Fire Jamaica
The Jamaican government is pushing private investment in liquefied natural gas (LNG) to provide cheaper and cleaner energy to households and businesses. Through partnerships with local and international companies, New Fortress Energy is leading the way to ignite this sector.
read articleInterview
Gordon Shirley, President & CEO, Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ)
TBY talks to Gordon Shirley, President & CEO of the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ), on the country's developing role as a logistics hub, attracting more cruise ships, and his outlook for the economy at large.
read articleInterview
Fritz Pinnock, President, Caribbean Maritime University
TBY talks to Fritz Pinnock, President of Caribbean Maritime University, on capitalizing on the rising power of the global south, customizing goods before they reach the final consumer, and leveraging Jamaica's geostrategic location to create added value.
read articleInterview
Winston Adams, JP, Executive Chairman, University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC)
TBY talks to Winston Adams, JP, Executive Chairman of the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC), on the university's illustrious history, its upcoming strategies, and Caribbean Knowledge City.
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Michael Williams, Acting Executive Director , Mona School of Business and Management
TBY talks to Michael Williams, Acting Executive Director of Mona School of Business and Management, on maintaining quality across its programs, its achievements in the Caribbean, and the school's research-based approach.
read articleFocus: Downtown Kingston Revitalization
Drinking from the Fountain of Youth
Although the subject of much talk, downtown Kingston has been relatively neglected for many years while surrounding areas of the city attracted more real estate developments. A series of public and private investments indicate that the trend is finally reversing.
read articleInterview
Timothée F. Delebarre, Country Manager, VINCI Construction Grands Projets (VCGP)
TBY talks to Timothée F. Delebarre, Country Manager of VINCI Construction Grands Projets (VCGP), on diversifying their business lines, expanding Kingston's Port, and developing innovative financing mechanisms.
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Dittie Guise, General Manager, Montego Bay Convention Centre (MBCC)
TBY talks to the late Dittie Guise, General Manager of Montego Bay Convention Centre (MBCC), on marketing the convention center, creating an integrated tourist experience, and preparing for more events and visitors.
read articleFocus: Linking Tourism
Lifting All Boats in the Rising Tide
Although significantly contributing to the economy, tourism in Jamaica suffers from an inadequate level of linkage with other sectors. The government, in partnership with private actors, is launching a number of initiatives to ensure that international tourists meet local businesses.
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Natalie St. Louis, Founder, CEO & Managing Director, Strategic Konnections & Management Services Limited
TBY talks to Natalie St. Louis, Founder, CEO & Managing Director of Strategic Konnections & Management Services Limited, on working with businesses to further their goals, the importance of engaging with consultants, and goals for the coming year.
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