MONTEGO BAY, St James — Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett reports that hotels between Trelawny and St James are reporting 100 per cent hotel bookings ahead of this month’s Jazz and Blues Festival.

“All the hotels have told me that they are fully booked and that is very good about it,” Bartlett disclosed during a launch of the annual music festival scheduled to take place at the Trelawny Multi-purposed stadium from Thursday, 27 to Saturday, January 29.

Bartlett underscored the financial benefits that the parishes of Trelawny and St James will derive from the staging of the event.

“But the key is that it will be generating some $3 billion of revenue and economic activity within the areas of Montego Bay and Falmouth,” Bartlett noted.

“You never ask me to say an endorsement word without indicating the value of festivals like these to Jamaica and particularly Jamaica Jazz and Blues because it is a high expenditure event that really calls for… a big heart and especially this year, a challenging year, I really want to commend Walter (Elmore) and the team for really making it happen,” he said.

The impressive line-up of artistes booked for the event includes Air Supply, Ron Isley, Maroon 5, Tavares, Diana King, Laura Izibor, CWV, Brenda Russell, Alison Hinds, Regina Belle and Committed.

Bartlett explained that at one point he was fearful that the promoters would not be able to stage the show this year.

“I must tell you there were moments when we thought that it might not happen simply because of how challenging putting together the resources at a difficult time like this has been. But the good thing about it is when it comes together as it brings great value to the destination,” he added.