ST JAMES, Jamaica — Cabinet has approved $100 million for the Jamaica Tourist Board to increase advertising and marketing for the sector, as the state of public emergency (SOE) continues in the parish of St James, where the tourism capital of Montego Bay is located. 

According to a release from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett is currently leading activities and speaking with stakeholders.

OPM said Prime Minister Andrew Holness made the disclosure yesterday when he met with stakeholders from several sectors including members of the business, tourism, church, and civic communities.

The prime minister, who expressed satisfaction with the conduct of members of the security forces during the state of emergency, 

told players in the tourism sector that the Government has a comprehensive plan to limit any impact on the sector.

He also gave the assurance that the Government does not intend to have a permanent state of public emergency in the parish and is committed to restoring public safety and the rule of law order while dismantling the ecosystem of crime in St James and the wider Jamaica.

He said members of the security forces would assess and announce any changes to operational business hours in the parish.

The prime minister, who also visited the Freeport and Barnett Street lockups where detainees are being held in the parish, said he is satisfied with the conduct of the security forces operating in the state of public emergency in St James.

During his tour of the Barnett Street lock up, Holness met with some relatives of detainees and Public Defender Arlene Harrison Henry, who noted that her office has been receiving excellent cooperation from the security forces in executing her duties.

The prime minister said he expects the processing of detainees will be much faster in coming days but expressed that the violence producers must be caught.

He further appealed to relatives and residents who were at the Barnett Street lock up to tell what they know and help the security forces find illegal guns and criminals. 

Holness declared the state of public emergency in St James on Thursday, January 18. Since then, the security forces have captured several wanted men and seized five high-powered weapons.

Despite reports of potential visitors cancelling trips, the tourism minister insisted that industry players are satisfied that visitors are still coming to St James, despite the state of emergency.

“We haven’t seen any negative tendencies. What we have had is an increase (in visitors) and some skittishness in some areas, as is expected. The truth is, all the attractions are open and have visitors… they’re on the beaches and in their hotels,” he said on Monday.

Holness was yesterday accompanied by the Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Dr Horace Chang, Chief of Defense Staff Major General Rock Meade, the Commissioner of Police George Quallo and National Security Advisor Major General Antony Anderson.