By Claudia Gardner:
The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) provided significant financial support to entertainment and community initiatives in Negril in 2025, with the largest single allocation directed towards the town’s Emancipendence celebrations.
Details of the funding were presented by Dr Carey Wallace, Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, during a meeting in Negril on October 22 that was commissioned by Tourism Minister Hon Edmund Bartlett. Dr Wallace outlined projects undertaken by the fund in the resort town and the level of investment made to support events, capacity building and community-based economic activity.
Additional funding was allocated to several established annual events held in and around Negril over the last few years.
These included Negril Fireworks on New Year’s Eve, the Reggae Marathon, the Westmoreland Curry Festival and the Rotary Donkey Races and Family Fun Day. According to the presentation, combined spending on major events amounted to more than US$13 million.
Dr Wallace also reported on initiatives focused on skills development and professional training within the entertainment sector. Through the Tourism Linkages Network 2025 and its Sport and Entertainment Network, TEF supported the DJ Academy Jamaica programme, which began in February 2025. Nine full-time DJs from Azul Beach Resort participated in the training, with City and Guilds certification scheduled for later in the year.
In January 2025, TEF also staged the Event Playbook Workshop at the James Hunter Event Center in Negril. That workshop attracted 47 participants and addressed areas such as branding, sponsorship, safety, innovation and regulatory requirements. The session also facilitated engagement between event promoters, the Jamaica Tourist Board, private sector brands and regulatory bodies.
Dr Wallace outlined several programmes planned for Negril during the 2026 period. These include a Speed Networking initiative aimed at connecting local manufacturers with the hospitality sector, demand studies for gift shop products designed to link artisans with tourism retailers, Health and Wellness Network initiatives, with a focus on cosmetics and personal care products.
