Owners, operators of tourism entities reminded to get licensed
ST JAMES, Jamaica — The Tourism Development Company Limited (TPDCo) is reminding owners and operators of tourism entities that it is illegal to operate without being licensed by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).
Speaking with JIS News, License Processing Administration Manager at TPDCo, Sheryll Lewis, said that several tourism entities are operating in contravention of the law, which is a breach of the JTB Act (1955).
“You can be prosecuted. The police will serve you a summons if you are found in breach of the law. You will go to court and…you could be found guilty, and you will pay the requisite fine,” she said.
“Under the JTB Act, persons are required, once they’re operating a tourism entity for example, a hotel, villa, guest house, watersports and attraction; if you are a contract carriage operator or a craft trader in one of the designated markets, then you’re required to have a JTB licence,” she explained.
To improve compliance, Lewis said the TPDCo is hosting a series of registration drives dubbed: ‘Bring Your Application Day’ at resort areas islandwide to facilitate on the spot licensing of tourism businesses.
The second in the series of events was held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St James on Thursday, June 2, where scores of tourism entrepreneurs turned out to register their businesses, as well as seek information about the licensing process.
“Another objective was to [link them with] the agencies that they will be required to get a permit or a certificate from,” Lewis said.
These include the municipal corporations, the fire department; the public health authorities, insurance brokers, the National Environmental Planning Agency, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and the Maritime Authority of Jamaica.
She said individuals were also able to sign up for the Tourism Workers Pension Scheme, which covers all workers in the sector, ages 18-59 years, whether permanent, contract or self-employed.
The next staging of the TPDCo registration drives will be held on June 14 at the Rayon Hotel in Negril, Westmoreland then move to the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston on June 24. This will be followed by a staging at Breds, Treasure Beach in St Elizabeth on July 12.
Just last week, it was reported that Jamaica Zoo Attractions Limited did not have a TPDCo licence to operate as an attraction, after the entity came under spotlight when an employee had his finger bitten off by a lion after taunting the animal, an incident which went viral on social media.
READ: WATCH: Visitors stunned after zoo attendant’s finger bitten off by lion at Jamaica Zoo
The zoo has since been ordered closed due to several breaches of the environmental permit.
