Government of Jamaica

Bartlett – Jamaica Secures 283,000 Seats Out of Canada – Well Ahead of 2019 Numbers

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Tuesday, November 15, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has reported success in increasing airline seats out of Canada, Jamaica’s second largest visitor market. “So far, we have been successful in commitments that will see the number of airline seats at a record 283,000 out of Canada to Jamaica this winter; 26,000 more seats than was recorded in 2019, pre-COVID-19,” he announced this afternoon. These are from major travel partners such as Air Canada Vacations, WestJet, Transat and Sunwing.

Speaking from Canada, Minister Bartlett said, “The marketing programme for Canada is now in full gear” and supported by Director of Tourism, Donovan White and the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Regional Director for Canada, Angella Bennett, “we are having meetings with our airline partners and tour operators.”

Mr. Bartlett’s working visit to Canada with a number of senior tourism officials will see them engaged in a series of activities between various segments of the market that take in Toronto, Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal and Ottawa and, he has reported, “we are satisfied that the market has bounced back post-COVID.”

He said the 283,000 seats, “will go a long way in bringing us back to our levels of over 300,000 visitors that we had during the immediate pre-COVID period but the objective is to get to 400,000 where we were in 2010.”

The visit is also being used to launch the JTB’s new “Come Back” campaign and Minister Bartlett contends that “with added inventory coming in Jamaica and a new thrust in terms of the quality product and recognition of the value proposition that Jamaica offers, we are optimistic that in 2023/24 we will see a full recovery of the Canadian market to the levels that we were in the best of times in 2010.”

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Bartlett To Meet With Travel Partners And Investors In Canada

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Monday, November 14, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett and a team of senior tourism officials will meet with travel partners and investors in Canada, Jamaica’s second largest visitor market, in an effort to increase arrivals to the destination and foster further investment in the tourism industry.

“While Jamaica’s post-pandemic tourism recovery has been remarkable and we are anticipating a strong winter season, we cannot take our current successes for granted.  We are therefore doubling down on our efforts to increase arrivals out of our main source markets like Canada by engaging our major travel partners like Air Canada Vacations, WestJet, Transat and Sunwing,” said Minister Bartlett.  

“We are also strengthening our marketing effort with the launch of the Jamaica’s new advertising campaign, which will heighten Brand Jamaica’s profile in the tourism space,” the Tourism Minister noted. To this end, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) will launch its new “Come Back” campaign to tour operators, travel agents and trade media  in both Toronto and Montreal.

While in Canada, Minister Bartlett will participate in meetings with key tourism investors as well as give the keynote address at the Jamaica Tourism Investment Forum, which will be held at the Toronto Trade Board Centre on November 16. The event, which have presentation on Jamaica’s tourism outlook and  investment opportunities, will be attended by Canada’s A-list of bankers, real estate brokers and industry companies looking at investment opportunities internationally.

Minister Bartlett noted, “Jamaica’s tourism is ripe for investment with a myriad of opportunities in various areas, including accommodation, attractions, travel technology, agro-tourism, green projects, nutraceuticals, manufacturing as well as supporting infrastructure that improves the visitor experience. We are therefore encouraging players in the international market to explore the many investment opportunities available in the  industry.“

On November  17, Minister Bartlett will attend a  Global Tourism and Resilience Management Forum at Carlton University in Ottawa, which will be attended by university’s faculty and post graduate students.   The engagement is an opportunity to explore the establishment of a satellite centre of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) at the university similar to the one established at Toronto’s George Brown College.

Minister Bartlett left the island today, November 14, 2022, will return on Saturday, November 19, 2022.

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Bartlett - Arajet Paves Way For Multi-Destination Tourism

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Friday, November 11, 2022:  Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett’s dream for the development of multi-destination tourism travel within the Caribbean is now being realized with the inauguration on Monday, November 14, of direct non-stop air service between Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

The region’s newest airline, Arajet, will take to the skies with direct flights between Santo Domingo and Kingston as of Monday, reducing airfare from an average US$800 to US$252 round-trip and travel time from more than 20 hours (via Miami) to under two hours.

Welcoming the service, Minister Bartlett described it as “a real milestone achievement of air connectivity,” adding, “the importance of this is the fulfilment of the hope of what true multi-destination tourism is all about. It’s a dream that we have had.”  He was speaking today at a press briefing at the offices of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) in New Kingston,

He singled out founder and chief executive officer of Arajet, Victor Pacheco, for enabling the linkage with Jamaica and other Caribbean islands with an affordable and timely air service. Mention was also made of the roles played by a number of government ministers and other interests in fulfilment of the new air service.

“The decision to enable improved connectivity between the Dominican Republic and Jamaica is part of a broader and wider strategy of integrating the Caribbean more and also of creating backward connections between Central America and South America. We have been working at bedding that market for the last 15 years,” said Minister Bartlett as he named other airlines that have been engaged in discussions.

The Caribbean dream is shared by Mr. Pacheco and the Dominican Republic’s Ambassador to Jamaica, H.E. Angie Martinez.  Speaking on the Zoom platform from his office in the Dominican Republic, Mr. Pacheco said Minister Bartlett’s vision of a multi-destination framework was correct and urged him to continue promoting this concept “because this is the only way that we can truly democratize air travel.” He also stated that “I like the Minister’s vision so much, I might explore setting up a base there.”

He said he believed the service being offered by his company “will be very important for tourism growth, commercial growth and also to support entrepreneurs in the new age that the world is living in. He said Arajet was the first company in Latin America to be launching an airline with the new, most technologically advanced 737 MAX airplanes with 40% less pollution, more fuel efficiency and significantly reduced emissions of carbon monoxide.

The airline plans to launch 54 routes out of Santo Domingo and while starting in Jamaica with twice weekly flights to Kingston, Montego Bay will be added subsequently. “In the next 30 years, we’ll be in the middle of the biggest air traffic growth that the world has seen and we need to take advantage of it,” he argued.

Ambassador Martinez termed the new air service as “truly a game-changer in our bilateral relations with Jamaica." She said the connection between both countries was both a necessity and a dream come true.

She believed the cheap airfare and significantly reduced travel time will result in an uptick in visitors moving between both countries, which share similar cultures.

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Bartlett Say Tourism Investor Confidence Driving Aggressive Recovery

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Friday, November 11, 2022: As the global marketplace wrestles with the 40% GDP loss in tourism and travel brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has called for a new tourism investment thrust to recover from the fallout.

His call comes against the fact that prior to the pandemic outbreak in 2019, tourism accounted for 10% of global GDP, provided 11% of jobs and more than 20% of foreign direct investment (FDI), especially in highly tourism-dependent regions like the Caribbean.

However, in 2021, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) estimated tourism’s contribution to GDP had fallen to 6% and jobs down 333 million from approximately 400 million.  Tourism expenditure was US$9 trillion resulting from 1.4 billion tourists travelling across the world for vacations.

In one of his several presentations to major tourism and travel stakeholders at the International Tourism Investment Conference held in the margins of the annual World Travel Market (WTM) in London on Wednesday (November 9), Minister Bartlett indicated that more than 70 million jobs were lost, and investment will assist greatly in restoring and creating new ones.

He referenced his home destination, Jamaica, as a country which has recovered very well in visitor arrivals and stopovers, with increased revenue intake. His argument was further emboldened by the fact that Jamaica currently is on the verge of harnessing new investments from more than 12,000 new hotel rooms over the next three years, which together with new attractions, will bring sustainable growth to the local economy.

Minister Bartlett also called for industry investment to focus more on the supply side of the tourism equation, such as food and beverages, household goods, cultural products, furnishings and renewable energy, citing these as keys inputs which drive the consumption patterns of tourism and enable a higher level of earnings retention in the local economies.

He posited that the new tourism investment thrust must impact the environment, the social development of community and the economic well-being of the country. This he contends, is the formula for sustainability and resilience in the very important tourism sector.

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Paradigm Shift Needed To Address Tourism Staff Shortages

LONDON, UK, Tuesday, November 09, 2022:  A “paradigm shift” in the way the global travel industry attracts, retains and adjusts staff amid post-COVID-19 shortages is being urged.

To this end, a tourism workforce initiative underpinned by a charter focusing on the growth and retention of employees has been unveiled in a bid to combat declining workforce numbers.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett unveiled the cross-sector collaborative group at World Travel Market (WTM) in London, United Kingdom (UK), at a time when hospitality, cruise and aviation are being affected by a “significant number” of 44 million global tourism workers not returning after the pandemic.

The working group believes there is a need to increase the annual growth rate to more than 30%.  It will focus on key areas such as wages, working conditions, career paths, empowerment and communication that need immediate improvement.

Quantifiable annual targets will be set as well as “steadfast” sector commitments towards funding the activities.  Enhanced global mentoring and employment programmes may be provided through a global portal.  

Minister Bartlett noted, “The tourism industry needs to recover its attractiveness to workers and should undergo a deep and thorough analysis as to the factors which gave rise to this situation. Tourism, pre-pandemic has not been the best employer and many view our sector as low paying, low skilled and seasonal, offering little job security and social security. Hence, the need for a new charter to reimagine the labour market relations, the re- architecture of the social contract between the workers and the employers of the industry.”

The negative employment is threatening the integrity of the promise to offer a seamless and exceptional experience for visitors to destinations, according to Bartlett.

Spearheaded by Travel Weekly parent Jacobs Media Group (JMG)-backed Resilience Council, which Bartlett co-chairs, and the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), the cross-sector collaborative working group is being formed with participants across the industry.

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Jamaica's Bartlett & Cuba's Garcia Connect On Regional Tourism Priorities

LONDON, UK, Tuesday, November 09, 2022: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett met with Cuba's Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García Granda and other senior Cuban officials at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, United Kingdom (UK), on Tuesday (November 8) to discuss the continued push to reimagine Caribbean destinations and move to cement multi-destination tourism.

This as more and more destinations seek to promote experiential travel and optimize visitors’ experiences. Multi-destination tourism is a unique approach to tourism that enables a tourist to visit and enjoy the offerings of multiple destinations during one trip, at one cost.

Beyond that Minister Bartlett noted that he will be leading a delegation of Caribbean tourism ministers to Saudi Arabia later this month to engage in a series of high-level discussions with major airlines and other leading travel and tourism investment stakeholders in the Middle East as part of efforts to broaden the scope and horizons of Caribbean tourism.

This forms part of activities surrounding the 22nd World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit which will take place in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 28 November – 1 December 2022. The Global Summit is a leading event in the travel and tourism sector, bringing together the most powerful voices within the arena to address and redesign the priorities for the future. The summit will provide an opportunity to engage with the leaders of the sector as well as to highlight national policies in support of a sustainable future for tourism.

Jamaica is represented amongst thousands of participants in the annual WTM London, which showcases offerings from the biggest travel destinations, accommodation suppliers, airlines and tour operators. 

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UK IS FASTEST GROWING RECOVERY MARKET FOR JAMAICA

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 8, 2022 – On the heels of the destination welcoming 2 million stopover arrivals last month, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has announced that the United Kingdom (UK), is the fastest growing recovery market for the island. Speaking yesterday at the launch of the new advertising campaign dubbed ‘Come Back’, Minister Bartlett said the market was trending ahead of 2019 figures.

“In 2019, we did 225,000 visitors and right now we are trending to make in excess of 230,000 visitors and earn 326 million pounds. This means the market is set to earn ten percent more than 2019 when we earned 295 million pounds.

So, the UK market is good, and we are happy for that, and I would like to thank the team, lead by our Regional Director, Elizabeth Fox, for helping our recovery efforts greatly,” said Minister Bartlett.

The Minister was speaking to travel agents and participants at World Travel Market in London, one of the largest travel and tourism shows in the world, with approximately 5,000 exhibitors from 182 countries and regions and more than 51,000 participants.

“The growth we are seeing is phenomenal and is being reflected in both arrivals and earnings and is taking us into 2023 with a strong destination position,” added Minister Bartlett.

“We could not be more pleased to highlight this positive milestone for this important market for the destination. It speaks to the dedication and hard work of our team here in the UK,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica.

Created by the Jamaica Tourist Board’s advertising agency, Accenture Song, the campaign showcases Jamaica’s picturesque natural attractions and its friendly, welcoming people working together to help visitors live their best lives

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Bartlett Lauds Adam Stewart on Receiving Honorary Doctorate of Laws

KINGSTON, JAMAICA, Sunday, November 6, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has showered commendations on the Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), Adam Stewart, on the latest honour bestowed upon him by the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona.

The SRI Chairman was conferred with as Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, for his work as an entrepreneur and philanthropist at yesterday’s (November 5) UWI, Mona graduation ceremony.

Minister Bartlett, who sent his commendations to Dr. Stewart from London where he has gone to participate in the annual World Travel Market (WTM,) said, “I could not let such an important event pass without expressing how profoundly pleased I am for Dr. Adam Stewart and offer my congratulations to this young champion of Caribbean Tourism.”

Minister Bartlett said Dr. Stewart and Sandals “have played a pivotal role in enhancing hotel development and tourism growth in Jamaica, his homeland, and throughout the Caribbean. Not only has he so ably carried the mantle passed on by his late father, Hon. Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, but he has been taking the leading hotel chain in the Caribbean to even greater heights.”

Mr. Bartlett noted that Dr. Stewart had brought to bear on Sandals a level of innovation that has made it stand out not just in the Caribbean but internationally in the world of tourism.

Dr. Stewart serves as Chairman of the Tourism Linkages Council of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, a public body of the Ministry of Tourism, a major driver of the local industry, and Minister Bartlett has pointed to “the yeoman’s service he has been giving in that capacity as a shining example of the outstanding benefits that can accrue to the country through public-private sector partnerships.”

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Jamaica Hits Two Million Stopover Arrivals For 2022

New York, NY, November 4, 2022 – As the destination continues its strong tourism recovery, Jamaica has welcomed over 2 million stopover arrivals for 2022 as of October in line with previous projections.
 
“It is truly gratifying to see our arrivals numbers returning to growth in recent months,” said Minister of Tourism, Jamaica, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett. “Having posted our best summer ever on record in 2022 and with arrivals now pacing well through fall, it is a clear demonstration that Jamaica’s tourism sector is indeed resilient and has a lasting appeal among consumers. While we are a small nation compared to many others in the world, our naturally beautiful landscape, unique culture, and variety of attractions and accommodations keep Jamaica at the top of travelers’ preferred places to visit.”
 
“We are extremely pleased to be among the destinations leading the world in tourism recovery,” added Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board, Donovan White. “Since reopening in June 2020, we have been making a strong marketing push to ensure that Jamaica remains top of mind among our traditional and emerging source markets. Reaching this new milestone for 2022 is a testament to the success of our efforts and excellent relationships with our travel industry partners.”
 
For full year 2022, Jamaica is projecting that it will welcome over 3 million stopover arrivals and receive total earnings from tourism of over USD $3.7 billion. The destination is also expected to return to 2019 pre-Covid arrivals levels in 2023 and remains on track to welcome 5 million visitors by 2025.
 
To further support the tourism sector’s recovery, both Minister Bartlett and Director White visited New York from November 2-4 to officially launch the island’s new ‘Come Back’ advertising campaign via a series of television appearances, media appointments, meetings, and more encouraging people to come back to their best selves in Jamaica.

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Jamaica pushes for Global Tourism Resilience Day

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Friday, November 4, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, and UN Ambassador Brian Wallace met to discuss the progress of Global Tourism Resilience Day.

Minister Bartlett was briefed by the Jamaica permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Brian Wallace, on the progress of Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ call for the declaration of February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day.

Minister Bartlett also updated the Ambassador on the plans by the Ministry of Tourism of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre along with the Caribbean Tourism Organization and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association to host the first observation of the day at the University of the West Indies in Mona, Jamaica, on February 17, 2023.

The ambassador indicated that the resolution which is to be placed before the UN, is being drafted and support is being generated for its successful passage.

If successful, Prime Minister Holness would be the second Jamaican Prime Minister to have the UN declare an international day, the first being the most Hon. Hugh Lawson Shearer, Prime Minister of Jamaica from 1967 to 1972.

Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Bartlett explained that the need for the creation of a global tourism resilience initiative was one of the major outcomes of the 2017 Global Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism under the  esteemed partnership of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Government of Jamaica, the World Bank Group, and the Inter-American Development Bank(IDB).

“We have continued the charge in developing this much-needed initiative in the form of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC).  The ultimate goal of the Centre is to assist destination preparedness, management, and recovery from disruptions and/or crises that affect tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods globally,” Minister Bartlett stated.

The minister further explained that the GTRCMC will specifically be tasked with creating, producing, and generating toolkits, guidelines, and policies to assist with preparatory and recovery efforts of tourism stakeholders affected by climatic, pandemic, cyber-crime and cyber-terrorism related disruptions.

This centre is of particular importance in the region, because of the vulnerability of the Caribbean to climatic and other disruptions. This is primarily because tourism industries in the region are dependent on a variety of infrastructure such as airports and hotels, so structural integrity is important.

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