Jamaica’s Tourism Linkages Network Praised at World Trade Organization Forum

KINGSTON, Jamaica; October 05, 2018:  Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett says the innovative work being done by Jamaica’s Tourism Linkages Network, was recently commended during the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Public Forum session on "Innovation and Digital Transformation for Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism" which took place on October 3 at the organisation's headquarters in Geneva.

The presentation was specifically on programmes and initiatives of the Ministry of Tourism to drive the build out of linkages throughout the Jamaican economy, so that the benefits of tourism are spread farther and wider in a sustainable way to satisfy the best interests of the people of Jamaica.

“The feedback we have received from Switzerland was fantastic. I was truly honoured to share the work our country has been doing through my Ministry’s Tourism Linkages Network. We are undoubtedly a leading destination for adapting to and creating solutions for the digital transformation that is happening globally in the industry,” said the Minister.

As the Minister is currently in France on official duty, his message was delivered by Her Excellency Cheryl Spencer, Jamaica's Ambassador/Permanent Representative in Switzerland.   

According to official reports received by the WTO, the presentation was well received by the audience, “many of whom made references to it during the discussions and commended Jamaica for the pace-setting strides being made in its Tourism Linkages network, as well as its use of innovation and digital transformation within the sector.”

“The work my Linkages Network is doing should not only be noted as significant, but ground-breaking. We are working to ensure that tourism has deeper linkages which will allow us to attract more investors and stimulate small and medium entrepreneurial activities so that more people stand to benefit from this booming sector,” said the Minister.

Following the presentation, WTO Secretariat and Facilitator of the Session, Dale Honneck shared that Jamaica’s experience was the inspiration for having a session on Innovation and Digital Transformation for Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism.

The panellists for the session included: Gloria Guevara Manzo, President and Chief Executive Officer, World Travel and Tourism Council; Arancha Gonzalez, Executive Director, International Trade Centre; and Torbjorn Fredriksson, Chief- ICT Policy, UN Conference for Trade and Development.

It also included Franck Mwe de Malila, Minister of Tourism of the Democratic Republic of Congo; and Jaime Alberto Cabal Sanclemente, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization.  

The WTO is a global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business. It has 164 members, representing 98 per cent of world trade. 

Minister Bartlett is currently in France with the Director of Tourism, Donovan White and will return to the island on October 7, 2018.