Jamaican Caffeine Addicts Come Together for Festival of Coffee

Three days of coffee-infused festivities await caffeine addicts and entrepreneurs in Newcastle, Jamaica as the Caribbean island's Festival of Coffee opens this weekend.

RELATED: 

Cuba Honors Africa With International Documentary Festival

Hosted by the Tourism Linkages Network, the event showcases some of Jamaica's finest blends, including the ever-popular Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee.

"The festival is intended to create an event that attracts locals and tourists to the Blue Mountains; leverage the high quality and uniqueness of Blue Mountain coffee and the Blue Mountain experience, and promote export of coffee and coffee-related products," tourism officials said.

The event, running March 23 to 25, revolves around "all things coffee, packaged with food, entertainment, nature and culture in one weekend," said Senior Tourism Network Strategist Simone Harris.

"There will be presentations on different business development projects, information relevant to the farmers, and we will also be presenting on the agri-linkages exchange platform that is coming out of the Tourism Linkages Network."

Jamaica was also named first for 'Traveler's Choice: Best Destinations in the Caribbean' by Trip Advisor. The tropical island nation also ranked 16th in the world for vacation destinations.

"Jamaica is truly honored to once again be named the Best Destination in the Caribbean and to be listed in the top 20 destinations in the world," said Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett.

"This honor is particularly special because it is an honor bestowed on us by visitors who have ranked the services we provide them as exemplary."

Bartlett said that Jamaica's breathtaking beaches are a coveted get-away for more than one Hollywood celebrity.

"The Ministry of Tourism will do our part to ensure that Jamaica's tourism product is continuously strengthened and given the support it needs to better meet all the needs of our visitors. Most importantly, we will ensure that our destination remains safe, seamless and secure."