A More Sustainable Tourism Product is the Sector’s Future

• Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett, has called on industry stakeholders to play a critical role in promoting a more sustainable tourism sector. He noted that travellers, industry workers and policymakers all have the power to make a difference.
• The Minister made the call in a speech delivered by the Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, David Dobson, at the Tourism Awareness Week (TAW) Thanksgiving church service held at the Montego Bay New Testament Church of God, St. James on Sunday (September 24).
• While the COVID-19 pandemic provided an unprecedented opportunity for Jamaica to reimagine tourism for the future, a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient model needs to be developed.
• He noted that the country is ahead of the curve, with a tourism growth strategy that is centred on strengthening linkages with other sectors of the economy, increasing benefits for residents and communities, promoting broader participation through training and certification, and ensuring the safety, security, and sustainability of the environment.
• Jamaica’s tourism sector has emerged as a key driver of the country’s post-pandemic economic recovery and maintains its dominance as the largest generator of foreign exchange, a major contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and a significant source of employment. Jamaica welcomed 3.3 million visitors and generated US$3.7 billion in earnings in 2022, and the trend has continued into 2023, with 2.77 million visitors and US$2.93 billion in revenue between January and August.
• The country is on course to meet projections of 3.8 million visitors and foreign exchange earnings of US$4.1 billion by year-end which bodes well for the industry and by extension, the overall economy.

(Source:  JIS News)