Jamaica launches first-of-its-kind Artisan Village, aims to boost tourism

Prime Minister Andrew Holness opened the new Artisan Village in Falmouth, which is the first of its kind in Jamaica and the Caribbean

Tuesday, 23rd April 2024

Jamaica launches first-of-its-kind Artisan Village, aims to boost tourism (PC - Facebook)

Jamaica: Prime Minister Andrew Holness opened the new Artisan Village in Falmouth, which is the first of its kind in Jamaica and the Caribbean. He said that the village will provide a significant boost to Trelawny's tourism development. The village is designed to showcase the rich culture and creativity of Jamaica through the remarkable work of local artisans and the integration of augmented and virtual realities. PM Holness said that this rich cultural and authentically Jamaican experience promises an immersive experience for visitors that extends beyond our beautiful sun, sea, and sand. Through collaboration, innovation, and targeted support for SMEs, PM Andrew Holness said that the government is laying the groundwork for a future where every Jamaican has the chance to thrive and prosper in the tourism sector. During the ribbon cutting and official opening ceremony on Friday, PM Holness stated, "Where we will have the competitive advantage will be in our people and culture." He added that people create the culture, so the administration must invest in the people to continuously improve that culture because culture has value. Financed by the TEF – Tourism Enhancement Fund and managed by the JCTI – Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation in collaboration with the Port Authority of Jamaica, the Artisan Village is the product of policies determined by the Ministry of Tourism that seek to develop and diversify the country's tourism product while preserving its authenticity. Meanwhile, the Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, described the newly opened Artisan Village as a marketplace for the creative outputs of talented people. He said that the wealth of Jamaica lies in the authentic creative expressions that everyone can see on display in the Artisan Village. "This treasure trove provides a tangible example of how the implementation of the: 'Three Ps of Tourism sustainability' - Planet, People and Prosperity - is having an impact," he added. The tourism minister noted that the village is a space for the small and medium enterprises in the tourism sector and it constitutes around 80 percent of the tourism activity but only 20 percent of returns, in order to claim a higher percentage of the profits and enable them to become greater beneficiaries of the tourism value chain.