Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has outlined details of the Government’s planned J$50-million Tourism Entertainment Academy, to be located in the second city of Montego Bay in St James.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the development of the academy, on Montego Bay Convention Centre lands and financed by the Tourism Enhancement Fund, during his contribution to the 2022-2023 Budget Debate last month.

Making his opening contribution to the 2022-2023 Sectoral Debate in Parliament yesterday (April 5), Bartlett said the academy would be marketed as an attraction for visitors to experience Jamaica’s authentic cultural products.

In alignment with the Blue Ocean Strategy of the Ministry of Tourism, he added that the academy would ensure the provision of high-quality entertainment to the tourism sector in the following areas:

• Stage shows
• Festivals
• Theatre
• Dance recitals
• Art exhibitions
• Museums/installations/Galleries
• Street dances
• Gig economy – solo/group acts in hotels and attractions. For example, Silver Birds Steel Pan, Third World (Band), Mento Bands, Jamaican Folk Singers, etc.

Bartlett explained that “the programmes developed for the academy should ultimately increase the opportunities for employment for Jamaican artistes by strengthening their skills and providing exposure through showcases”.

Construction of the Academy will begin in this financial year.

Oversight of the project will be the responsibility of the Entertainment and Events Committee of the Tourism Recovery Task Force. The members include:

• Delano Seiveright (Chairman)
• Joe Bogdanovich, (SumFest Promoter)
• Andrew Bellamy (Events Promoter)
• Kamal Bankay (Chairman, Sports and Entertainment Network, TLN)
• Lenford Salmon (Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport)