Newly minted minister of state in the Ministry of Tourism, Tova Hamilton, is bringing her legal expertise to her recently assigned portfolio with a focus on strengthening legislation and regulations in the hospitality industry.

Hamilton, a trained lawyer and second-term Member of Parliament for Trelawny Northern, was among 13 appointed ministers of state sworn into the Cabinet last Friday at King’s House in St Andrew.

She told local and international journalists at a media breakfast held at Jewel Paradise Cove on Tuesday, September 23, that she brings “practical experience and a strong commitment to governance, structure and advocacy”, to the post as state minister.

“My training as a lawyer has taught me to listen carefully, negotiate fairly and act decisively—skills that I intend to put into the service of our industry,” she continued.

In her support of Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, the second-term Member of Parliament for Trelawny Northern said that she shares the vision of having a stronger, more resilient and more inclusive industry. On this note, she commended Bartlett for setting the benchmark for innovation and growth in the tourism sector and committed to standing with him in “advancing Jamaica’s leadership [in tourism] on the world stage”.

“Equally, I’m committed to working with all stakeholders—large and small operators, hoteliers, transport providers, craft vendors, farmers, entertainers, and community tourism partners—because every single player in this industry matters. Our success must not only be measured by visitor arrivals but by the extent to which tourism uplifts our people and creates opportunities at every level,” Hamilton said.

In strengthening Brand Jamaica, the state minister said that the ministry aims to strengthen linkages with other industries in the Jamaican economy to ensure that the returns from tourism are shared with communities across Jamaica.

Legal and regulatory responsibilities

Responding to an Our Today question on the specifics of her portfolio, Hamilton stated, “I will be responsible for cruise, the legal and the regulatory arms of the ministry, and there is also an involvement in the artisan village and any other responsibility that the minister decides to place on me.”

“Well, so far I’ve been informed that there needs to be a total repeal of the JTB Act. I think that is on the immediate plans for the ministry to do, so I will have to hit the ground running, literally apprising myself of what is there and providing my input as to what may be deficient or necessary,” she added.

Another area Hamilton will review is the peer-to-peer short-term rental space that includes online platforms such as Airbnb and HomeAway.

“That sector has been unregulated, and I think we need to do something for that area just to incorporate and to ensure that there is safety, seamlessness and security. We need to know who the players are, and I think that is one of the areas we’ll have to focus on too,” the minister shared with Our Today.

Cruise and consultations

Over the next few weeks, the state minister will be engaging players in the tourism sector to identify further opportunities for linkages. She noted that one of the complaints she has heard about the Falmouth Pier, which falls within her constituency, is the lack of involvement of locals—an issue she will seek to address.

Moreover, she said there are more cultural assets in the parish of Trelawny that can strengthen community-based tourism linkages with the cruise pier. These include such places as the late Prime Minister Hugh Shearer’s house, Stuart Castle ruins and the Georgian architecture in the town of Falmouth.

“So we have assets. I remember coming here, I identified at least 20 products that we can develop before coming into the Ministry of Tourism,” she told Our Today.

Hamilton pointed out, too, that several cruise lines employ Jamaican citizens, and so she is looking forward to synchronising their employment practices with employment laws in Jamaica.

Addressing other labour concerns

On the matter of labour conditions, the state minister and MP said she will be working with Minister Bartlett to consult with local employers in the tourism sector to address salaries and emoluments for local workers.

“It is an area that we’ll have to address and that, of course, will require some amount of consultation with, you know, those partners. I think it is only fair for persons who are employed to be properly paid…so that it doesn’t create an imbalance,” Hamilton said.

When asked if trade unions could be introduced in the labour relations discussion, she said that they have been involved in the tourism sector in the past, but negotiations “have not ended well”.

“So I think maybe it is now for the ministry to see how they can advocate on their (employees) behalf,” Hamilton further reasoned.

She also pointed out that, given the expansion in the tourism industry, there are more opportunities for individuals to provide services, and so increase their earnings.