Minister Bartlett to participate in major global tourism tradeshow FITUR

Sustainable tourism in the Caribbean is very high on the agenda in the Jamaica Ministry of Tourism office.

Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has been invited to participate in the series of high-level meetings and events in Spain, aimed at promoting sustainable tourism in the Caribbean. The events have been organized by CAF (Development Bank of Latin America) in alliance with the International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR), being held in Madrid, Spain, from January 18 to 22, 2023. Minister Bartlett will also meet with several global tourism investors and executives in a bid to further boost the development of the sector.

FITUR, one of the most highly anticipated events on the annual travel trade calendar, is the global meeting point for tourism professionals and the leading trade fair for inbound and outbound markets in Latin America.

CAF officially opened its Regional Office for the Caribbean in September 2022 and is intensifying its support for sustainable development, the climate action agenda and the economic recovery of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). This FITUR alliance allows CAL to further deliver on its commitment to provide increased development assistance to Caribbean countries and to facilitate new opportunities for the growth and development of the tourism sector in the region.

“This year’s staging of FITUR is critical as tourism destinations seek to fully recover from the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic. While Jamaica, the Caribbean and many other regions are rebounding nicely there is still room for significant growth. Events like this, which allow for the exchange of innovative ideas, experiences and best practices, will certainly help to further boost tourism recovery,” said Minister Bartlett.

The series of events in which Minister Bartlett will participate include a reception jointly organized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and CAF, where UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili and CAF Executive President, Sergio Diaz-Granados will sign an agreement between the two organizations to support Caribbean countries in the development of a sustainable tourism sector. In addition, there will be a round-table discussion with English-speaking Caribbean Ministers of Tourism on:

“What role can CAF play to support the development of sustainable tourism?”

While in Spain, Minister Bartlett will meet with key tourism partners as he seeks to promote the destination and encourage further investment in Jamaica’s tourism industry. This includes meetings with Mr. Gabriel Escarrer, CEO of Melia Hotels; Carmen Riu Güell, the owner of the RIU Hotels & Resorts chain as well as representatives of INVEROTEL, an umbrella association representing Spanish hoteliers and operators in Jamaica. He will also meet with executives from Viva Wyndham Resorts; Grupo Puntacana and Mastercard.

Mr. Bartlett pointed out that “Jamaica is top of mind and remains a prime destination for foreign direct investment (FDI).  We are taking advantage of the opportunities provided by FITUR to strengthen ties with existing partners while exploring  new investment opportunities for Jamaica, which will help us to build on our current successes.”

Minister Bartlett left the island today, Tuesday, January 17 and is set to return on Sunday, January 29, 2023.

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