Assamba

It gives me tremendous pleasure to write this congratulatory message for Hospitality Jamaica.

The underlying reason is R-E-S-P-E-C-T (according to a popular oldie). This robust two-year-old has become a reliable partner in the diverse tourist industry, winning critical acclaim in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

This publication is happily neutralising a culturally entrenched Jamaica tendency to avoid documentation. While we treasure Jamaica's diverse oral history, documentation is a hedge against the possibility of distortions in the future, especially where the process is inclusive and critical.

The words of Jamaica's first National Hero, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, come readily to mind:

'A people without a knowledge of their history is like a tree without roots'.

Every fortnight, Hospitality Jamaica helps the industry deepen our roots by documenting the history of this critical sector, cementing its place as the nation's key economic driver.

One Love!
Aloun N'dombet Assamba, MP
Minister of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture

Accurate, interesting, informative

Morrison

In its two short years of existence, Hospitality Jamaica, has earned a strong reputation for consistently and professionally bringing to readers accurate, interesting and informative reports of happenings in Jamaica's tourist industry.

The magazine's main focus is naturally on local developments and the last two years have been exciting with several new investment projects being launched that will not only expand the number of rooms but will raise quality and make more diverse our tourism product. It has, nonetheless, kept a keen eye on regional and international factors that are shaping the industry and influencing the market in which we must compete. And so we are constantly being reminded of the challenges that the local industry must overcome in order that we can advance the island's mission of being the Caribbean's premier destination.

That tourism is about people has been a key message of Hospitality Jamaica and this has been expressed in the many human interest stories which highlighted the indispensable role of our workers in the success of the industry. We dare not ignore this message as we move to rapidly expand the industry for our visitors constantly tell us that the warmth and hospitality of the Jamaican people are our most endearing qualities.

I am confident that the producers of the magazine will continue to find creative means of keeping this message relevant and so broaden the interest of the Jamaican people in what is our number one industry. I therefore wish to congratulate those who have worked tirelessly to make Hospitality Jamaica a high quality vehicle for promoting the tourist industry and commend them for playing an important part on Jamaica's tourism team.

Dennis Morrison
Chairman, Jamaica Tourist Board

A valuable source of news

Smith

I welcome this opportunity to celebrate this anniversary with Hospitality Jamaica, having been aware of the difficulties that were encountered at the onset.

In addition to the usual rigours involved with launching a new publication, there was scepticism that the venture would succeed where other attempts had failed. Yet, thanks to the tenacity of its editor, Janet Silvera, Hospitality Jamaica has firmly established itself as a valuable source of news, information and ideas for Jamaica's tourism and hospitality sectors.

Now that it has identified its niche and so clearly established its role, I expect that Hospitality Jamaica will continue to grow in stature and substance. It has already embraced the opportunities presented by the Internet to serve a worldwide readership, giving members of the Jamaican diaspora and other interested parties the opportunity to keep current with developments in Jamaica's number one industry.

I wish the publication continued success and offer hearty congratulations on its achievements to date.

Basil H. Smith
Director of Tourism