WESTERN BUREAU: Montego Bay’s iconic Jimmy Cliff Boulevard, popularly known as the Hip Strip, is poised for a major transformation. Mayor Richard Vernon announced plans to establish a Business Improvement District (BID) during a ceremony...
WESTERN BUREAU: It was a vibrant celebration of a remarkable legacy, one shaped by devotion to music, family, friends, and his beloved Jamaica. On Wednesday, Robert ‘Ducksie’ Russell’s farewell at the Montego Bay Convention Centre marked the...
WESTERN BUREAU: Inspired by their experiences of meeting former colleagues only at funerals, Mernett Foster-Stone and Janet McFarlane envisioned a space where memories could be shared in celebration, not sorrow. In the midst of industry turmoil and...
WESTERN BUREAU: Jamaica’s winter tourist season has begun with a bang, driven by strong demand resulting from 1.6 million secured air seats and an anticipated 80 per cent load factor. In just the first eight days, the island welcomed more than 125,...
WESTERN BUREAU: Long before ticket sales opened for the Vybz Kartel’s Freedom Street concert scheduled for New Year’s Eve, Kingston hotels were seeing strong forward bookings for December 31. Once the concert was announced, Kingston hoteliers told...
WESTERN BUREAU: After nearly a year of closure, Margaritaville Montego Bay has reopened its doors, and is now offering a preview of its revitalised features. Located on Montego Bay’s iconic Hip Strip, the entertainment hub’s reimagining marks a...
WESTERN BUREAU: Passengers departing Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (SIA) will soon enjoy a seamless travel experience with the introduction of biometric check-in and boarding, aligning with similar advancements for incoming...
WESTERN BUREAU: The Government of Jamaica is seeking to reform labour-market arrangements in tourism with a plan that would see the removal of taxes on tips and require that 100 per cent of gratuity be paid to workers in the hospitality sector,...
Western Bureau: Having undergone significant transformation, the five-star Riu Negril Hotel is now featuring fully renovated rooms, luxurious swim-up suites, and exciting new offerings, including the American Country restaurant and the much-...
WESTERN BUREAU: Jamaica’s top 50 travel specialists have once again proven their mettle, collectively selling an astounding 210,000 room nights in 2024, generating US$1.15 million (J$184 million) in revenue. This remarkable achievement underscores...
WESTERN BUREAU: Jamaica has lost one of its most iconic figures in the entertainment and hospitality industry. Robert ‘Ducksie’ Russell, one of the founding fathers of the internationally acclaimed Reggae Sumfest festival and owner of the popular...
WESTERN BUREAU: Jamaica’s Tryall Club in Hanover has unveiled its newest gem – Ooshan, a stunning beachfront restaurant that redefines elegance and Jamaican hospitality. This much-anticipated addition marks a significant milestone for the exclusive...
WESTERN BUREAU: The economic partnership between Jamaica and the Dominican Republic has reached unprecedented levels, with bilateral trade totalling US$134 million, Dominican Ambassador Angie Martinez said during a Diamond Gala reception last...
WESTERN BUREAU: The Jamaica Public Service (JPS) says it plans to invest J$17 billion in infrastructure upgrades in 2025 as part of its efforts to improve the country’s power grid. According to the light and power company, the investment will focus...
WESTERN BUREAU: Brian Jardim, whose journey across multiple industries has not only built an enviable career but also touched countless lives, is the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Leader Wall of Fame inductee for 2024....
WESTERN BUREAU: While luxury-branded residences flourish across Caribbean destinations such as St Lucia, The Bahamas and St Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica is only now entering this prestigious real estate segment. These developments, which pair elite...
WESTERN BUREAU: In a passionate address to the Senate on Friday, Senator Janice Allen, opposition spokesperson on tourism, painted a stark picture of Jamaica’s tourism sector, calling for decisive action to reverse what she described as neglect,...
WESTERN BUREAU: Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has etched his name in history as the first tourism minister to receive the prestigious Laureate-Gusi Peace Prize International, which was presented to him last Wednesday in Manila, in The...
WESTERN BUREAU: Michael Manley, the former Jamaican prime minister who championed social justice, education, and equality, would have celebrated his 100th birthday on December 10, 2024. As part of his centenary celebrations, Mia Mottley, the...
WESTERN BUREAU: Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines’ Chapter 11 bankruptcy is unlikely to significantly impact visitor arrivals to Jamaica, according to a number of the island’s tourism experts. Spirit Airlines, the biggest US budget airline, filed...
WESTERN BUREAU: At the recent Jamaica Rum Festival, an event renowned for showcasing the finest local spirits and culinary creativity, one vendor stood out with a burst of vibrant flavours and a tribute to national pride. Kadeen Harvey, the...
WESTERN BUREAU: In the heart of St James lies Flankers, a community often overshadowed by its reputation for crime and violence. Yet, from these very streets many talented entertainers have emerged. Artistes such as Nigy Boy, Tommy Lee Sparta,...
WESTERN BUREAU: In the early hours of the morning, the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex in Montego Bay was buzzing with anticipation. Reggae Sumfest 2024 had already seen a slew of incredible performances, but there was a palpable sense of...
WESTERN BUREAU: The Appleton Estate Rum Festival was an electrifying display of talent and energy, despite the wet and muddy conditions left by the rain. Amanyea Stine’s versatility in dance and music, along with the Grammy-nominated recording...
WESTERN BUREAU: When the Jamaica Rum Festival producers envisioned something fresh, ground-breaking, and distinctly Jamaican, they turned to Moses ‘Beenie Man’ Davis and the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JARIA) renowned orchestra. The...
