Montego Bay, Jamaica - The Caribbean Travel Marketplace 42, the largest tourism gathering in the Caribbean, has successfully concluded at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. During this important event, Jamaica not only had the honor of hosting but also highlighted its prominent role in the global tourism industry. In an exclusive interview, Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica's Minister of Tourism, shared his reflections on the event and the future of tourism in the region.

Human Capital in Tourism

Bartlett emphasized the importance of human capital in the tourism industry, highlighting that workers are fundamental to the sector's growth and prosperity. "Tourism is about people, and it is the people who are the driving force behind the energy of tourism," he stated. During the event, the need to invest in the training and development of workers to ensure high productivity and performance was underscored. "Our number one concern should be the workers in the tourism industry. It is crucial to include them in the recovery process and help them develop career paths within the sector," he added.

The Importance of Latin America for Jamaica

Regarding the expansion of connections with Latin America, Bartlett revealed ambitious plans to strengthen tourism links with the region. "Next month, we want to visit Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Colombia. We are in talks with Avianca, Azul in Brazil, and of course, Copa, our long-standing connectivity partner," he explained. Bartlett noted that these airline partnerships will facilitate better connections between South America and Jamaica, which is essential to attract more visitors and establish Jamaica as a preferred destination in the region.

Key Tourism Data in Jamaica

During the press conference at the Caribbean Travel Marketplace, Bartlett highlighted the flourishing state of tourism in Jamaica. According to the Minister, Jamaica is experiencing unprecedented growth in tourism infrastructure development and visitor arrivals. For the 2023/24 fiscal year, gross tourism earnings are projected to reach US$4.38 billion. In the first four and a half months of the year, the country has welcomed approximately 1.8 million visitors, comprising 1.1 million stopover tourists and 733,000 cruise visitors.

"By the end of May, Jamaica will, for the first time in our history, record 2 million visitors in stopover and cruise, in the first five months of the year," Bartlett announced enthusiastically. This sustained growth aligns with the Ministry's goal of attracting 5 million visitors in five years, generating US$5 billion in revenue by 2025.

Bartlett concluded by highlighting Jamaica's privilege and pride in being selected as the host of Caribbean Travel Marketplace 42. "The return of Caribbean Marketplace to Jamaica is a big event for us. This event is not just about showcasing our tourism assets but also about generating ideas and thinking of new and exciting ways to enhance tourism and add value as we move forward," he remarked. The event provided a crucial platform to discuss important topics concerning the future and current development of tourism.

With over 1,000 delegates from more than 40 countries and media coverage reaching over 400 million people, the Caribbean Travel Marketplace 42 reaffirmed Jamaica's importance as a leader in the Caribbean tourism industry. The vision and leadership of Edmund Bartlett continue to drive growth and innovation in the sector, solidifying Jamaica's place on the global tourism map.