Knowledge Network forum series to boost readiness for tourism comeback – Bartlett

In anticipation of the tourism sector making a timely comeback, the Ministry of Tourism and its public bodies are ramping up efforts to engage and empower stakeholders with the knowledge required to thrive in the post COVID-19 era.

To this end, the Tourism Linkages Network (TLN), a division of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), will kick off a five-part online forum series, spearheaded by the Knowledge Network, beginning on Friday, May 7, 2021. The series is aimed at sensitizing the public about a range of tourism related topics directly linked to the reopening of Jamaica’s tourism industry, such as the tourism supply chain.

“The series is helping to build capacity. Some of Jamaica’s inherent gems are yet to be fully leveraged and it is in these kinds of sessions that we are able to explore, collaborate and bring stakeholders together in a think tank setting, to share information that each tourism partner can build on and make progress, in particular areas of interest that they are seeking to develop,” explains Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett.

“The thought behind it is providing a diversity of offerings here in Jamaica that appeals to the distinct desires of travelers and fostering the growth of the tourism knowledge economy,” he adds.

Minister Bartlett says there is a growing market for people who travel for knowledge and we need to lay the foundation to capitalize on that opportunity. “People travel for the exchange of knowledge, whether it’s the specialized niche called the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) market or a meeting of the minds in fora on specific topics. So, we are preparing our stakeholders to tap into that market post COVID-19,” he said.

The first forum, on May 7, will run from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon and will explore the topic, “Tourism Diplomacy – Rebuilding Tourism Safely.” Participants in the panel discussion will include Minister Bartlett; Professor of Public Health, Epidemiology and HIV/AIDS, University of the West Indies, Peter Figueroa; General Manager of Jamaica Inn, Kyle Mais; President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Clifton Reader and Director of Tourism, Donovan White. The session will be moderated by Chairman of the TLN’s Knowledge Network, Omar Robinson.

The other sessions, which will be held from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, include: How Tourism has Impacted Other Sectors (Part 1), May 14; How Tourism has Impacted Other Sectors (Part 2), May 20; Cruise Homeporting: Benefits for our Destination, May 27 and Destination Weddings, June 11. The sessions will be livestreamed on TEF’s social media pages: @tefjamaica.

More news about Jamaica

#rebuildingtravel

Media contact:

Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Telephone: 920-4924,

Fax: 906-1729

Or

Kingsley Roberts

Senior Director, Corporate Communications

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Tel: 920-4926-30, ext.: 5990

Cell: (876) 505-6118

Fax: 920-4944