Edmund Bartlett, Opposition Spokesman on Tourism
Edmund Bartlett, Opposition Spokesman on Tourism, has added his voice to those expressing concern about the reduction in Caribbean Airlines (CAL) flights to Jamaica. The airline last week reduced service to the island as part of cost-cutting measures. Mr. Bartlett said last year CAL accounted for 50 per cent of flights to Norman Manley International Airport. He is therefore worried about the implications for Jamaica.
Mr. Bartlett wants Dr. Wykham McNeil, Minister of Tourism, to commence talks with his counterparts in Trinidad and Tobago to address this matter.
“CAL is interested in reorganizing itself. In fact they are going to appoint a new Board in short order; a Board that I’m sure we will have to have a representative on. And they want to relook at the routes and to determine how there can be collaboration between destinations and partners to ensure that some of these routes could come back,” said Mr. Bartlett.
He urged Dr. McNeil to have dialogue with his counterpart in Trinidad & Tobago to ensure that airlift security for Jamaica is secure.
Meanwhile, the Opposition Spokesman is also seeking answers from the Minister of Finance regarding casino gaming in Jamaica. Mr. Bartlett said although Dr. Peter Phillips announced during his recent budget presentation that there are six expressions of interest for casino operations, the regulations for the industry are not yet in place. He said this could have an impact on the level of investor interest.
“These regulations are necessary for the applicant to know the environment in which he is operating; for example, the operator will need to know the criteria for ‘fit and proper’; the operator would want to know what happens on the gaming floor; and most importantly, how will the local populace will interface with casino,” said Mr. Bartlett.
Mr. Bartlett was making his contribution to the budget debate on Wednesday.
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