Tokyo, Japan; September 21, 2018: Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett met, today, with the immediate past President of the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), Dr. Ryoichi Matsuyama, who is also the current Trustee of the prestigious International University of Japan, as part of his engagements with senior level officials of Japan’s Tourism Sector, to further deepen cooperation between Jamaica and Japan’s tourism, as well as forge partnerships in the establishment of the Global Centre for Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management in Jamaica. The meeting was convened in the margins of the 2018 Japan Tourism Expo, which is being held in Tokyo, Japan, from 20th to 23rd September 2018.

Minister Bartlett acknowledged the significant efforts made by Japan in promoting the country’s ever-growing Tourism product both regionally and globally, as well as reaffirmed Jamaica’s support during the recent series of natural disasters that have affected the island state.

Given the common geological vulnerabilities of Jamaica and Japan, the Minister used the opportunity to share Jamaica’s vision for the establishment of a Global Centre for Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management in Jamaica, with the former President of the JNTO, Dr. Matsuyama, during whose Presidency this important initiative received support.

The establishment of the Centre also featured as an important outcome of the recently concluded United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in November of last year, in its outcome document entitled the Montego Bay Declaration.

The purpose of the Centre, which willbe housed at The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus (UWI), Kingston, will be to assess, plan-for, forecast, mitigate, and manage risks related to tourism resilience and crisis management, through the following objectives: (i) Research and Development, (ii) Advocacy and Communication, (iii) Programme/Project Design and Management, and (iv) Training and Capacity Building.

Given the shared recognition of the importance of the Centre, the Minister highlighted the mutually beneficial opportunities for partnership with Japan in its establishment, which was equally acknowledged by Dr. Matsuyama, who in accepting the membership to the Board of Governors, noted that the Centre would be an important step towards increased resilience in Global Tourism Resilience.

Japan’s significance with regard to its partnership with the Centre resides in its leadership in global resilience building as reflected in its capacities to recover, quicker and better, from natural and man-made disasters as well as the many disruptions it has faced over the years.

The Minister will meet, tomorrow, Saturday 22^nd September, with Mr. Hiromi Tagawa, Chairman of the Board of the JTB Corporation, to continue discussions on the establishment of the Global Centre for Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management in Jamaica.

The Minister is joined in Tokyo by Director of Tourism, Donovan White and his Executive Assistant Anna-Kay Newell. They are expected to return to the island on Sunday September 23, 2018.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 19, 2018:  Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett departed the island yesterday, to attend the Tourism Expo Japan 2018 and VISIT JAPAN Travel & MICE Mart 2018, taking place in Tokyo from September 20 – 23, 2018.

The trip is being organized as part of the Ministry of Tourism’s efforts to re-engage the Japanese market, on a more sustained basis and grow visitor traffic to Jamaica.

“Two decades ago, Jamaica received upwards of 20,000 Japanese visitors per annum but that has since declined to roughly 2,000 per annum, due in part to a long economic slowdown in Japan and other factors.

Outbound connections that Jamaica has with Delta, through Naruto is significant. Delta has a number of rotations through Atlanta and they fly directly into Tokyo. That connection will help to re-engage this market,” said the Minister.

The Minister further noted that “with the world’s fourth largest economy offering up 17 million overseas travelers each every year, we want to take the opportunity to promote Jamaica as a premier vacation option for the Japanese traveler.”

Tourism Expo Japan is a premier event for travel brands serious about capturing a share of the lucrative Japanese outbound market. It is one of the largest travel events in the world and provides opportunities for travel professionals from over 130 countries to exchange travel information and conduct effective business meetings, while inspiring consumers through the power of travel.

The Japan Travel and Tourism Association (JTTA), Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) are organizing the event, under the theme, “Managing Sustainable Tourism for Community Development.”

It will feature presentations by industry leaders such as Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization and Gloria Guevara Manzo, President and CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council.

During his visit, the Minister will also engage in a series meetings with Japanese tourism stakeholders such as Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) and members of the Japanese Government.

The Minister will be joined in Tokyo by his Executive Assistant Anna-Kay Newell. They are expected to return to the island on Sunday September 23, 2018.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 18, 2018: The Ministry of Tourism, its agencies and industry partners will seek to further raise awareness about the importance of digital technologies in tourism, during its annual celebration of Tourism Awareness Week (TAW).

The weeklong celebration will be observed from September 23 -30, under the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) theme for World Tourism Day on September 27- “Tourism and the Digital Transformation”.

It promises to be an engaging week, with a series of activities highlighting the work the Ministry and its agencies are doing, to better utilize technology to improve entrepreneurship for Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises; create greater inclusion in the industry; improve resource management and data collection; and attract more visitors to the island.

“The Government of Jamaica, and by extension the Ministry of Tourism, recognises the value of technology and the potential positive impact it can have on revolutionising the lives of every Jamaican.  Rather than fearing the change, we have opted to use the way our modern-traveller depends heavily on technology, as an opportunity to engage them and reach a larger segment of the travel market. 

“It is for this reason, we have invested heavily in technology and are using information and communications technology to create a more seamless, safe and most importantly, sustainable tourism sector,” said Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett.  

According to the UNWTO, from 2016 to 2025, digitalization in aviation, travel and tourism is expected to: create up to US$ 305 billion of value for the sector through increased profitability; and migrate US$ 100 billion of value from traditional players to new competitors. Their studies also predict that it will generate benefits valued at US$ 700 billion for customers and wider society through a reduced environmental footprint, improved safety and security, and cost and time savings.

“My Ministry has been working on a number of initiatives, which utilise innovative technology to improve visitor experience and to connect local entrepreneurs with buyers in the hotels so that they have greater potential to increase their earnings. I am proud of the strides we have made as an industry thus far in joining the world in this metamorphosis that is taking place,” said the Minister.  

The slate of activities for Tourism Awareness Week will include a: public awareness campaign in print and digital media; social media competition; Tourism Action Club forum; and the annual Tourism Awareness Week Church Service, which will be held in Montego Bay on September 23.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 17, 2018: The Tourism Enhancement (TEF) has invested approximately $10 million in this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day initiative, which is spearheaded locally by Jamaica Environment Trust (JET).

Speaking at JET’s flagship site at the Palisadoes Go-Kart Track on September 15, TEF’s Executive Director Dr. Carey Wallace said, “Tourism relies on our coasts being clean and beautiful.  Therefore, we believe this programme is good value for money. We put $8 million into the International Coastal Cleanup Day. After that, we put another $2 million for our Ministry and its agencies to participate. We have been sponsoring for the past 10 years, and have spent approximately $50 million during that period.”

International Coastal Cleanup Day is coordinated globally by the Ocean Conservancy (USA) and locally by JET. TEF has been a major sponsor of the island wide coastal cleanup initiative since 2008. It attracts millions of volunteers in more than 100 countries who clean up beaches and waterways to raise awareness about marine pollution.

Last year, Jamaica had 9,675 volunteers at over 147 sites, which was the 12th largest ICC event in the world. This was also the largest ICC day turnout in the English-speaking Caribbean.

“As far as our participation in this event from a global perspective, we are doing extremely well.  It is very encouraging and heartwarming to see that as Jamaicans, we not only spend the time and energy to clean up our coastlines but we also demonstrate to the world that we are environmentally responsible. Last year it was 93 miles of coast that was cleaned up by the programme, “said Dr. Wallace. 

The clean-up activities took place days before today’s announcement by the Government of Jamaica to implement a ban on single use plastic bags, plastic straws and Styrofoam effective January 1, 2019.

The JET CEO, Suzanne Stanley, welcomed this decision and shared that she is excited about the future outcome.

“We are very excited about the announcement for single use plastic. We are looking forward to those strategies being implemented by the government, which on the legislative side, can address some of the problems. But we as Jamaicans also have a responsibility to dispose of our garbage properly,” said Stanley.  

She went on to share that, “It is very important that we raise awareness amongst our communities, about proper disposal of waste. Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica has been doing this for the past few years and we are really encouraged by the support that we’ve confirmed from the Government of Jamaica [TEF] and the private sector, via Wisynco Group, to continue with the programme for another 3 years.” 

The Ministry of Tourism’s clean-up activities took place at 15 beaches across the island by 487 volunteers from Destination Assurance Councils, Tourism Action Clubs, as well as members of staff.

International Coastal Cleanup is a fraction of the Ministry of Tourism’s partnership with JET through the Tourism Enhancement Fund, to protect the environment. In 2014, the Ministry expanded its commitment with a Clean Coasts Project. To date, TEF has given $146 million, including $25 million in 2018 in funding. The project includes environmental education for adults and children along with practical strategies for tackling poor solid waste management and marine debris in Jamaica.

OCHO RIOS, St Ann, Jamaica, September 17, 2018: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has lauded travel agents as “true partners for Jamaica” as the destination consistently attains record visitor arrivals, especially over the past two years.

The accolade was showered on the travel agents on Saturday night as the Tourism Minister delivered the keynote address at the Sandals 16^th Annual USA Travel Agent Golf Tournament Awards Dinner at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort. He told the 150 team members from North America that their being here provided “a wonderful opportunity for us to show off who our true partners are and who are the great producers for Jamaica.”

Minister Bartlett said Jamaica was “very serious” about honouring travel agents and tour operators “because we are perhaps one of the few countries in the Caribbean that actually gives national honours to our partners both in the distributive trade as well as in other areas of tourism relationships.”

He mentioned that travel agent Edith Baxter from the Edith Baxter Group was awarded the Order of Distinction “in recognition of the work that she has done for tourism in Canada on our behalf.” In October this year, two Americans will be honoured accordingly. Bill DiMaggio of Mark Travel who has brought visitors to Jamaica for 50 years is one and the other John Mullen, now retired from Apple Vacations.

Underscoring that the travel agents’ support and marketing of Jamaica has paid off, Minister Bartlett noted that 50 years ago 400,000 people visited Jamaica as tourists and spent US$87 million compared to 4.3 million visitors last year spending US$3 billion. Additionally, the tourist industry employed 119,000 Jamaicans last year against 9,000 50 years ago. “So you see that because of you, today over 53 percent of the foreign exchange generated by the country is directly from tourism,” he told them.

The Tourism Minister said according to STATIN and the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), tourism was the only industry that had grown as a percentage of GDP over the last ten years, moving significantly from 7.1 percent in 2007 to 8.4 percent in 2017. “The hardcore fact that these numbers are indicating is the economic value and impact of tourism today,” he said.

Minister Bartlett gave an assurance that Jamaica had grown over the years not just as a centre where people come to enjoy sand, sea and sun “but we have emerged to becoming a safe, secure and seamless destination.”

Minister Bartlett also commended the Sandals for its singular role in creating the world’s top hotel brand in Jamaica and the success of its travel agents golf tournament. He mentioned that as part of the Sports and Entertainment Network in the Tourism Linkages Network, a deliberate effort was being made to develop sports tourism and in that regard, discussions were held with a firm in Canada recently to bring golfers to Jamaica.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 14, 2018: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett urged more Jamaicans to embrace tourism as a cultural asset, in order  to improve the growth of the tourism industry as well as the country’s earnings.

Speaking yesterday at the closing session of the inaugural Tourism Resilience Summit of the Americas, the Minister explained that, “tourism is not a business, not a sector, but it is a culture. In order for us to build a culture of tourism, it must become a way of life for the Caribbean. This is how we are going to grow, as it is the essence of our economic being and any denial of that puts us in fantasy land.” 

“I want us to leave from this summit today fully empowered, not just with the knowledge, but also with the certainty that from this day, we are going to be advancing our culture through tourism,” he continued.

Recently released provisional data from the Jamaica Tourist Board outlines that gross foreign exchange earnings from the beginning of the year to July, increased by 6.3 per cent with approximately US$2 billion, compared to the same period last year.

The Minister believes that Jamaicans can further strengthen this strong performance by further embracing the industry as a major part of their lives and as an opportunity for generating a steady income.

He went on to share that “the facts are there to show, that tourism has been for more than 50 years, a mainstay of this Caribbean country. It has overtaken all other industries, no question about it – by way of: employment, foreign exchange generation, contribution of GDP and transformational activities of many of the resort areas.” 

The summit was a precursor to the official 2019 launch of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre which was one of the major outcomes of last November’s UNWTO Global Conference on Sustainable Tourism in Montego Bay. Its mission is to carry out policy-relevant research and analysis on destination preparedness, management and recovery from disruptions or crises that impact tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods globally.

During his closing remarks, the Minister also announced that former Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Dr Taleb Rifai would act as the Chairman Pro Tem  of the the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, to help guide the development of the Centre until it is launched in January.

Minister Bartlett noted that a blueprint is going to be developed in the upcoming months, using data garnered from the discussions at the Summit. This document will help to guide the world in discussing and treating with disruptions of the nature and type that we have indicate.

Under the theme of “Tourism Resilience through Global Synergies”, the summit forms part of the Ministry of Tourism’s efforts to build resilience in a world that is hyper-connected and, as such, is more susceptible to events that disrupt tourism, such as climate change, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism and cybercrime and natural disasters.

Headline speakers included Professor Lee Miles, Disaster Management Centre, Bournemouth University, UK; Professor Aldrie Henry-Lee, Director of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) and Dr Barbara Carby, Director of Disaster Risk Reduction Centre at the University of the West Indies.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 13, 2018: Speaking to the nearly 200 delegates attending the Tourism Resilience Summit of the Americas, Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness challenged them to commit to finding common solutions to tourism resilience through synergies to reduce the risks and diminish the threats to the tourism industry.

The Prime Minister was giving the keynote address at the inaugural summit today (September 13) at the University of the West Indies’ Regional Headquarters, Mona.

Noting that the Caribbean and the Americas remain the most tourism-dependent region in the world, the Prime Minister said that despite favourable visitor statistics the tourism industry remains one of the most vulnerable industries.  “Tourism is vulnerable not only to natural disasters but also to man-made disasters as well as a series of other external shocks.     Some of the main threats to the tourism sector include climate change, epidemics and pandemics, cybercrimes, political instability and terrorism,” he said.

He said that in light of these threats he was pleased to endorse the establishment of a Global Resilience and Crisis Management Centre to be housed at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus which is paramount to ensuring agile, coordinated and robust decision making, leading to focused and strategic implementation. 

Prime Minister Holness reiterated the need for “building our adaptive capacity as we recognize that tourists have the greatest adaptive capacity based on their money, perceptions, knowledge and time and will therefore choose to shift their timing and destinations as a result of the information they possess.   We must embrace the opportunity to show leadership in coherent policies so that we can overcome constraints and seize opportunities.”

In his welcome, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, who is the founder of the Global Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, said, “This is an exciting time for Jamaica and the tourism sector and I believe that the steps we are taking here today will help to shape the future of resilience building in the region.”

He added, “We live in a world of increasing transnational risks, systemic vulnerabilities, and environmental challenges. However, acknowledging that these disruptions is no longer enough if we are to ensure a resilient sector. In fact this is simply the first phase to a larger strategic action plan.”

The Tourism Minister noted that building and bridging resilience among our stakeholders through innovative strategies, training and capacity building; and communicating resilience are the critical next steps to responding to these disruptions.

“I believe that these initiatives will allow us to become innovative and through this innovation will not just adapt but thrive in the onset of these global disruptions,” he added.

Under the theme of “Tourism Resilience through Global Synergies”, the summit forms part of the Ministry of Tourism’s efforts to build resilience in a world that is hyper-connected and, as such, is more susceptible to events that disrupt tourism, such as climate change, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism and cybercrime and natural disasters.

Headline speakers on climate challenges and crisis management include Professor Lee Miles, Disaster Management Centre, Bournemouth University, UK; Professor Aldrie Henry-Lee, Director of the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) and Dr Barbara Carby, Director of Disaster Risk Reduction Centre at the University of the West Indies.

Other discussants are former United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary General, Dr Taleb Rifai; Director of the National Travel and Tourism Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, Isabel Hill;  and former UNWTO Executive Director Carlos Vogeler.

The summit is a precursor to the official 2019 launch of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre which was one of the major outcomes of last November’s UNWTO Global Conference on Sustainable Tourism in Montego Bay. Its mission is to carry out policy-relevant research and analysis on destination preparedness, management and recovery from disruptions or crises that impact tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods globally. 

Jamaica’s Stopover Arrivals Grow by 6% during Summer Season

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 05, 2018: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says the island experienced record-breaking stopover arrivals from May to August this year, with provisional estimates showing stopover arrivals up by 6 percent, over the same period last year.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Tourism’s New Kingston office today, the Minister shared that, “it has definitely has been our best summer ever. We had 884,324 visitors compared to the 834,292 from the period May to August in 2017.  These figures contributed to total visitor arrivals (May to August) of 1,312,494, which was a 4.4 percent increase over the same period last year.”

Data received by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), also indicate that an estimated gross foreign exchange earnings for the period January to July 2018 were US$1,935.8 million, up 6.3 percent over the same period in 2017, with stopover arrival earnings of US$1,821.5 million, up 6.2 percent and cruise passenger earnings US$110.1 million up 8.1 percent.

“The preliminary data also shows that earnings up to the end of August are over $2 billion. Expenditure from tourists for the first 8 months is $2.2 billion. We are trending well ahead of the 3 billion mark for the end of the calendar year,” says the Minister.

Provisional estimates indicate that between January and August of this year, the country welcomed 2,955,007 visitors, an increase of 4.7 percent over the same period last year. This figure comprised 1,714,060 stop over arrivals and 1,240,947 cruise visitors.

“The projections that we made for growth last year was for 5 percent per annum for 5 years. Last year we broke all of that because we got 12 percent – that is a phenomenal achievement. We are excited about that prospect and we are seeing that we are going to get to that mark,” said the Minister.

Minister Bartlett also disclosed that his Ministry intends to build on the successes of 2017, which saw 4.3 million visitors visiting the island.  This was a 12.1 percent increase over 2016, with US$3 billion in revenue.  It was also the first time in the country’s history that Jamaica welcomed more than 500,000 new visitors in a single calendar year.

“We do not want to take this success for granted and we are aggressively targeting new and traditional markets to attain double-digit growth and promote Jamaica as the ideal winter tourism destination,” said the Minister.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 03, 2018:   Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says his Ministry provided temporary employment for approximately 2000 youths this year, at a cost of $53 million, through summer internship programmes at the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo).  This was the largest number of interns to ever participate in the programmes.

The Minister made this announcement during the TEF Summer Internship Awards Ceremony, held recently at the Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston.

During his remarks to the 250 students in attendance, he went on to explain that “the investment was one of the best elements of investments that the ministry has engaged in for this budget year, because an investment in human capital, in the enhancement of human capacity, is perhaps the best investment that could ever be made.”

The TEF internship programme welcomed 650 summer interns in 2018, which is a 5.7% increase from last year’s numbers. This year, 87 companies signed on, which also represents an increase of 13%. 

The ceremony highlighted interns who excelled in the programme, as well as others who were offered permanent and part-time jobs, upon the completion of their studies.

According to the TEF, 5 interns received permanent job offers in institutions such as the Jamaica Observer, Stand Up for Jamaica (SUFJ) and Eden Gardens Wellness Resort & Spa. Three part-time jobs were also offered, as well 10 contract extension requests.

The TEF’s annual summer internship programme objective focuses on youths from ‘at risk’ communities by providing hands on work experiences, to allow interns to assimilate the correct appropriateness and work etiquette and most of all to provide financial aid.

It also supports goals outlined in Vision 2030, by targeting youths between the ages of 16 to 25 years who want to be a part of “Brand Jamaica”, providing them with skills, knowledge and employment during the summer period.

“What is going to make Jamaica a truly strong nation, is not the amount of FDI that we get or the amount of factories, hospitals or police stations we build. What will make us a strong nation is our ability to transform the knowledge that we have into material things,” said the Minister.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 22, 2018: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett says resilience building within the Caribbean region is needed now more than ever, given the increase in disruptions such as hurricanes and earthquakes. The Minister’s comment comes on the heels of the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Venezuela yesterday.

In reiterating how important resilience building has become, Minister Bartlett said, “Earthquakes can be unpredictable and devastating and can certainly wipe out an entire industry. We in the Caribbean are particularly vulnerable because our tourism industries are dependent in a number of infrastructure such as airports, hotels so structural integrity is important,

Also, having the technical know-how is critical. This is what the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, which will be launch January next year, is about: sensitizing the industry about these critical issues, building the capacities of stakeholders in the industry and monitoring these efforts.”

The 7.3 earthquake struck yesterday near Yaguaraparo, off the north-eastern coast of Venezuela and affected countries Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago. As it relates to hurricanes, last year, the region experienced devastation caused by two category 5 hurricanes, Irma and Maria. In fact, economic losses exceeded $100 billion, with GDP losses ranging from 10 percent to 224 percent in the case of Dominica. 

“We are relieved that there are currently no indications of casualties but recognize that we need to as a region step up our efforts to be better prepared for these disasters. As part of my ministry’s plans to build resilience, we will host the Inaugural Tourism Resilience Summit of the Americas under the theme, Tourism Resilience through Global Synergies, on September 13,

This is being done in collaboration with the University of the West Indies, Mona and will address the challenges of climate change; pandemics and epidemics; cybercrime and cyberterrorism which are affecting the tourism space globally,” Minister Bartlett added.

The Resilience Summit of the Americas will be the first of four such events and promises to provide a space for addressing these issues as well as the development of a global policy framework for tourism resilience. The summit also will provide an opportunity for participants to forge partnerships towards building global synergies.

Among the presenters will be representatives from Miyamoto International, a global technical leader in urban disaster risk mitigation and management that specializes in earthquake and structural engineering; project management and construction management, with 19 offices in 12 countries.