Spaniards honour Ed Bartlett

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

And so, our tourism minister, the seemingly indefatigable and eternally optimistic Ed Bartlett, has been bestowed with the Order of the Civil Merit of Spain. His Royal Highness King Juan Carlos of Spain bestowed the honour on Bartlett for his contribution to the enhancement of Spanish tourism interests in Jamaica.

On Friday, May 7, Spanish Ambassador Jesús Silva hosted a reception at his official residence to invest the minister with the award. The tourism sector is decidedly one of the only positive-trending sectors in the Jamaican economy, currently being buffeted by both internal and external factors and forces. And for this, Bartlett and his leadership of the ministry are deserving of mucho accolades.

Positive trend in tourism

Curiously, however, the positive trend in the sector is due, in part, to the influx of Spanish investors. They constructed some 13 hotels, adding nearly 6,000 rooms, representing a 30 per cent increase in available accommodation and making Jamaica a more attractive destination, not only to potential Spanish vacationers, but Europeans by and large. That Bartlett, despite his public protestations, has facilitated the continuing expansion of the 'Spanish invasion', with recent announcements of interest in constructing yet another Spanish hotel - in Font Hill - speaks to his savvy and commitment to diversification of the sector, as a means of sustaining growth in the industry!

The reception to honour Bartlett was a very warm and snazzy affair. It saw tourism public-sector bigwigs, out in full regalia, and a number of industry players out in support of the minister, his wife, the charming and beautiful Carmen, with two of his siblings by his side.

It was quite cosy, and Ambassador Silva, known for his fashionable parties, soirées and dinners, was the consummate host. His complement of staff nattily dressed, their uniforms emblazoned the crest of the Spanish Embassy, made for a most hospitable crew as they served up premium libations and delectable finger foods, as some finger-snapping, heart-warming music made for the perfect background.

Among those out for the occasion were former Prime Minister Edward Seaga and wife Carla; Transport Minister Mike Henry; junior minister Andrew Gallimore; St Aubyn Bartlett; Clive Mullings; Chief Justice Zaila McCalla and husband William; Ambassador Elinor Sherlock; Justice Glen Brown; former Director of Public Prosecutions Kent Pantry; honorary consul of Portugal, Paul Issa, and his Spanish wife, Oriente; honorary consul of Slovakia, Chris Issa; permanent secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffiths; director-general of the tourism ministry Carrole Guntley; chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board and Director of Tourism John Lynch; Deputy Chair Earl Jarrett; executive director of the Tourism Product Development Company Limited, Earl Patrick; president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Wayne Cummings.

Also out were the oh-so-elegant Dorothy Carter-Bradford; north coast powerhouses Winston and Denise Dear; Mark and Paula Kerr-Jarrett; Godfrey Dyer; Stafford and Marilyn Burrowes; Robert Russell; and the charmingly lovely Rosie Johnson, Danville Davidson; Janet Taylor; Ian Neita; the charming Joy Roberts; Delano Seiveright; the lovely Pat Nelson; Carol-Rose Brown; Spanish Embassy official Rodrigo de la Vina; Rafael