Business Social
The latest edition of the South Coast Confidence Tour was recently undertaken to highlight the progress being made by tourism stakeholders in restoring confidence across St Elizabeth and the wider south coast following disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa.
Led by Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, the initiative engaged a number of key operators and other community stakeholders across the parish in meaningful discussions focused on recovery, resilience and collaboration.
During the tour, which was used to underscore the importance of diversifying tourism beyond traditional resort centres, stakeholders stressed the need for stronger partnerships to support the parish’s ongoing recovery efforts.
A featured stop was a visit to the iconic Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience, whose reopening served as a tangible marker of operational recovery and workforce stability. The visit to the world-renowned attraction reinforced the role of heritage and experiential tourism in sustaining livelihoods, preserving Jamaica’s cultural assets, and rebuilding visitor confidence.
Business Social shares highlighted moments from the rich cultural experience.
Tourism and JWN stakeholders are photographed by the Appleton Estate sign during the recent South Coast Confidence Tour.Photos:Mohic Ferguson
J Wray & Nephew Limited General Manager Cecil Smith Jr (left) and Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett (right) participate in a mill crushing sugar cane demo.
Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett, for the first time, participates in a barrel-to-bottle experience at the Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience where he bottled and labeled his own premium blend.
Ministry of Tourism Edmund Barlett (fourth left) greets members of the J Wray & Nephew team upon his arrival at the Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience, which was staged as part of activities for the recent South Coast Confidence Tour.
Sharing the frame at the end of the tour are (from left) Chris Jarrett, president, JHTA; Donovan White, director of marketing at JTB; Jahnine Hanson Taylor, operations manager at Joy Spence Appleton Estate Rum Experience; Ed Bartlett, minister of tourism; Joy Spence, master blender; Dr Carey Wallace, TEF executive director; permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Jennifer Griffith; Wade Mars, deputy executive director, TPDCo; and Cecil Smith, general manager, J Wray & Nephew Limited.
Appleton Estate Master Blender Joy Spence is greeted with a tight embrace by Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett after being gifted with a copy of the book Appleton Estate: A History during the South Coast Confidence Tour.
