The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) hosted a media appreciation party at the Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston last week where the members of the press were well feted.

The evening got underway with cocktails downstairs before one an all ascended upstairs for the main event.

Man of the hour, Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett was in good spirits that evening extending greetings to some of the country’s leading journalists.

In his address, he spoke about the recovery the industry has made since the COVID outbreak and that for the 2023 season, Jamaica is well on its way to bringing 4.2 million visitors to its shores netting the country US$4.4 billion.

Bartlett still remains Jamaica’s best performing minister bringing in much needed foreign exchange revenue at a time when remittances have dropped off. He’s always in good cheer and remains a tireless champion of Jamaican tourism. Hip, hip, hooray! 

Spotted at the party was Garwin Davis, who made his way down from his Ocho Rios bolthole; the ‘Grande Dame’ of tourism journalism, Janet Silvera; the Jamaica Observer’s top reporter Arthur Hall; the urbane Nationwide News deputy executive editor George Davis; and TVJ’s Javaughn Keyes.

Our Today wishes you all a Merry Christmas!

Here are highlights from the JTB party: