Jamaican Tourism Minister Outlines Strategies to Fuel Growth of The Tourism Sector

  • Jamaica’s tourism sector is poised for continued growth, as global travel is expected to reach 1.5Bn travellers by the end of this year, with projections indicating nearly 3 billion tourists worldwide over the next two decades.
  • Minister Bartlett encouraged local tourism partners to embrace innovation and adaptability in response to emerging trends, stressing the importance of preparing for the increasing influx of travellers by building capacity and providing exceptional service. He highlighted the resilience of the tourism sector, which has consistently outpaced overall global economic growth, expanding at an annual rate of 3% over the past 30 years. However, the Minister also warned that Jamaica must remain agile and innovative to navigate the evolving global landscape.
  • In his presentation, Minister Bartlett unveiled a key strategy to expand Jamaica’s tourism market by increasing airlift from South America, starting with LATAM Airlines' new flights from Peru to Jamaica, set to begin on December 1. He also mentioned ongoing discussions with Azul Airlines to introduce flights from Belem, Brazil, and with Avianca regarding additional routes in South America, including Colombia. Minister Bartlett emphasized that enhancing airlift is essential for accessing new markets and further diversifying Jamaica’s visitor base.
  • Additionally, Minister Bartlett announced plans for a marketing blitz in India, one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with a roadshow scheduled for November. He also emphasized efforts to target Eastern Europe and the Schengen area, pointing out that these regions present significant potential for inbound tourism.
  • To bolster these initiatives, the tourism minister announced at the JHTA’s  63rd Annual General Meeting that the Jamaican government has allocated J$1Bn for tourism marketing through the end of the financial year. Minister Bartlett expressed confidence that, with these strategies in place, Jamaica’s tourism sector is well-equipped for sustained success.

(Source: Travel Daily News)