Bartlett Says Jamaica Is Positioning Itself as a Center Of Tourism Innovation

Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett, announced yesterday (July 30, 2024) that Jamaica is positioning itself as a global center of tourism innovation, highlighting the remarkable success of the Tourism Innovation Incubator program.

Speaking at the official Meet and Greet Event for Cohort 2 of the Tourism Innovation Incubator at the AC Marriott Hotel, Minister Bartlett underscored the program’s pivotal role in revolutionizing Jamaica’s tourism industry.

Launched by the Tourism Enhancement Fund, a public body of the Ministry of Tourism, in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tourism Innovation Incubator aims to identify and nurture groundbreaking ideas that can transform Jamaica’s tourism sector. This year, the program received an astounding 222 applications, marking a 553% increase from the 34 applications received in its inaugural year in 2022.

“This exponential growth is not merely a statistic; it’s a resounding vote of confidence in the program’s potential and a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit that runs deep in the veins of every Jamaican,” Minister Bartlett emphasized.

From this impressive pool of applicants, 22 innovators were carefully selected to join the 2024 cohort. This diverse group, comprising 12 women and 10 men ranging from 19 to 68 years old, represents a cross-section of Jamaica’s parishes. Their innovative ideas span a wide spectrum, including immersive underwater experiences, authentic cultural immersions, cutting-edge augmented and virtual reality tours, sustainable transportation solutions, and pioneering applications of artificial intelligence and blockchain in tourism.

Minister Bartlett, who conceptualized the incubator initiative, stressed that the Tourism Innovation Incubator is more than just a program; it’s a bold statement of Jamaica’s commitment to becoming a global thought leader in the tourism industry. He called upon stakeholders to embrace these innovations and invited potential partners and investors to seize the myriad opportunities for collaboration and investment.

“We are not just adapting to the future of tourism – we are actively shaping it.”

Minister Bartlett added: “We are crafting experiences that will not only attract visitors but leave an indelible mark on their lives. We are building a tourism industry that is sustainable, authentic, and quintessentially Jamaican.”

The Tourism Innovation Incubator is poised to generate significant job opportunities, particularly for youth, while enhancing visitor experiences and laying a solid foundation for sustainable tourism development in Jamaica. As these innovative ideas move from concept to reality, they promise to reshape Jamaica’s tourism landscape, touching the lives of millions of visitors and Jamaicans alike.

SEEN IN IMAGE:  Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left), engages in conversation with (from second left) Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Dr. Carey Wallace, and Tourism Innovation Incubator participants Wayne Thompson, Dr. Duane Chambers (winner of Cohort 1), and Dr. Joshua Daye. The occasion was the official Meet and Greet Event for Cohort 2 of the Tourism Innovation Incubator, held at the AC Marriott Hotel on July 30, 2024. – image courtesy of Jamaica Ministry of Tourism