World News | forimmediaterelease.net

... press releases & Breaking World News

Minister Bartlett proposes tourism crisis communication strategy for the Caribbean… Global Resilience Centre to formulate

by

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says that the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre has been tasked with developing a tourism crisis communications strategy which will help Caribbean nations ‘build back better’ following a disaster.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a Tourism Crisis Communications and Disaster Risk Management event yesterday at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, the Minister said, “In responding to the call to build tourism resilience in the Caribbean, I am very proud that the region’s first resilience centre was recently established at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus Jamaica.

“The Centre is going to focus heavily on crisis communication and will develop an official Tourism Crisis Communication Strategy. We believe that we have established ourselves to provide part of the institutional framework and the physical capacity that the region needs to implement and to have actualised some of the outcomes which we seek to have from our efforts,” he added.

The facility, which is the first of its kind, will assist with preparedness, management and recovery from disruptions and/or crises that impact tourism and threaten sector-dependent economies and livelihoods.

It is focused on deliverables including the establishment of an academic journal on resilience and global disruptions, the drafting of a blueprint for resilience, the creation of a resilience barometer and establishment of an Academic Chair for resilience and innovation. This is in keeping with the Centre’s mandate to create, produce and generate toolkits, guidelines and policies to guide the recovery process following a disaster.

“Building resilience will require a system-approach based on strengthening collaborations at the national, regional and international levels among tourism policymakers, lawmakers, tourism enterprises, NGOs, tourism workers, education and training institutions and general populations to reinforce institutional capacity to anticipate, coordinate, monitor and evaluate actions and programmes to lower risk factors,” said the Minister.

While the Centre has been created to assist all tourism nations across the globe, the Minister shared that the Caribbean is particularly vulnerable because it is the most tourism dependent region in the world.

GOT NEWS? click here

possible to reach millions worldwide
Google News, Bing News, Yahoo News, 200+ publications

“The most recent economic data indicate that the livelihood of one in every four Caribbean residents is linked to tourism. While travel and tourism contributes to 15.2 % of the region’s GDP in general and over 25% of the GDP of more than half of the countries. In the case of the British Virgin Islands, tourism contributes to 98.5% of GDP.
These figures underscore the importance of developing strategies for mitigating potential hazards that can destabilize tourism services in the region and cause long-term setback to sustainable growth and development,” he said.

During his presentation, the Minister announced that the Centre’s physical space is about 90% completed but is globally linked.

“Next week we go to Kenya to launch at the Kenyatta University, the first satellite centre for the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre and then we will head to Kathmandu in Nepal on the first of January to launch the second one. There are also a number of others, which will be launched in 2020,” he said.

The two-day event is being hosted by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the IDB’s Environment, Rural Development and Disaster Risk Management (RND) Division and their Caribbean Country Department.

Over 50 local and regional experts in the field of tourism crisis management and communications and disaster risk management have participated in the event, which is taking place under the theme “Reinforcing Crisis Communication as a Critical Element of Caribbean Tourism Resilience and Disaster Risk Management.”

The event also forms part of part of the IDB’s series of consultations with authorities known as Regional Public Dialogue.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

Minister Bartlett bats for regional tourism investment

by

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has reiterated his call on tourism investors to look beyond developing hotels while batting for regional tourism investment.

In a jovial welcome to some 300 investors from across globe gathered for the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS) at Secrets Wild Orchid Resort Wednesday night [November 13, 2019], Minister Bartlett made a pitch for them to invest in the heavily tourism dependent Caribbean region, but more so in Jamaica.

He expressed happiness at having them “here in Jamaica for us to talk a little bit about investment but more so to leave some contracts behind. We want to make sure that some new properties are established in the region.”

He said given that the Caribbean is the most tourism dependent region in the world, “This meeting of investors is of tremendous importance to us because what you’re doing is helping to enhance the wellbeing of the Caribbean by forcing investment in the key area that is driving the economy of the region.”

Through such investment, said Minister Bartlett, they would be helping to create jobs, to enable stability but more so, build the capacity of the people of the region to offer more.

He anticipated the two-day summit being spent “looking carefully not just as investment in the traditional sense … but I want us to look beyond rooms because for tourism to become truly inclusive and to enable the development and the enrichment of the people of the region, we have to invest on the supply side.” He reinforced that unless there was a building of the capacity to absorb the demand that tourism brings, “then tourism will be a negative industry in the region.”

Minister Bartlett noted that the region was both a heavy driver of foreign exchange as well as a heavy user and “and unless we create the linkages to stop the leakages of foreign exchange then the region will be poorer for tourism instead of being richer and so investment discussions must be to enrich the Caribbean and to create for us the opportunities to realize our best selves and to earn and achieve prosperity.”

Meanwhile, President of JAMPRO, Diane Edwards said apart from CHICOS there was no other major event in the Caribbean that focusses on investment in tourism. She said the Caribbean has long been an outstanding tourism destination “but we have not focused so much on the business side of things and that would be done over the next two days.”

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon Audley Shaw also welcomed the CHICOS delegates, noting that there were linkages between his portfolio responsibilities and tourism.

Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and Minister of Tourism for St Lucia, Dominique Fedee and Bahamas Tourism Minister, Dionisio D’Aguilar also joined Minister Bartlett in wooing the tourism investors.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

Jamaica to host TD Jakes Caribbean Leadership Conference

by

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, says internationally acclaimed Bishop TD Jakes is looking at staging his flagship leadership conference in Jamaica next year.

The announcement was made at a special brunch, organized by Jamaica Vacations at Royalton Resort, for Bishop Jakes who docked in Trelawny with over 1800 guests as part of his Faith and Family Caribbean Cruise.

Thomas Dexter Jakes, more popularly known as TD Jakes, is a pastor, author and film maker. As pastor of the Potter’s House, Bishop TD Jakes’ conferences draw over 30,000 people.

“As Jamaica continues to diversify its product offerings to suit the passion points of our visitors, developing faith based tourism is high on our priority list. Many people travel for religious reasons.

I am therefore honoured that Bishop TD Jakes has indicated his interest to host his mega conference in Jamaica which will attract thousands locally and overseas,” said Minister Bartlett.

It is estimated by the World Tourism Organization, that 300 to 330 million people travel for religious purposes every year.

Bishop TD Jakes’ church services and evangelistic sermons are broadcast on The Potters Touch, which airs on lightsource.com, the Trinity Broadcast Network, Black Entertainment Television, the Daystar Television Network and the Word Network.

“We are excited about the possibilities of having some events in Jamaica that i think would be of interest not only to Jamaicans.

We are interested in leadership development, where business and faith can collaborate to create a more wholesome atmosphere,” said Bishop TD Jakes.

Minister Bartlett added that, “Jamaica will be the ideal location for this mega conference given the island’s Christian and religious culture.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

North America and Caribbean exhibitors bring their best to WTM London

by

From Canada to Tobago, and New York to California, exhibitors at WTM London – the global event where ideas arrive – will be highlighting new hotels, fresh campaigns and state-of-the-art tourism developments across North America, Mexico and the Caribbean. As well as established destinations and global brands, delegates at the event in ExCeL will be able to meet representatives of innovative attractions, boutique properties and exciting eco-tourism initiatives.

Executives from Destination Canada (NA400) will talk about the tourism agency’s uplifting new tagline, For Glowing Hearts, inspired by the words of the national anthem and imagery of the Canadian flag.

Ben Cowan-Dewar, chairperson of Destination Canada’s board, said: “The brand evolution is driven by the belief that travel should change you and Canada will leave a lasting mark on your heart.”

Also on NA400, the Canadian province of Ontario will be promoting its wealth of new upmarket hotels – such as Delta Hotels by Marriott Thunder Bay – and new air services, such as WestJet’s daily Dreamliner service from London Gatwick-Toronto, and Norwegian Air’s daily link between Hamilton and Dublin.

Just south of the border between Canada and the US lies New England, which will be in the international spotlight during 2020, as it marks the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower.

The Plymouth 400 Anniversary will highlight cultural contributions and traditions that began with the interaction of the Wampanoag people and English settlers in 1620.

Next year also marks the bicentennial of the state of Maine, which will see celebrations and commemorations. The regional tourism authority, Discover New England (NA165), represents five states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

South of New England is the Big Apple and this year WTM London welcomes four new exhibitors from New York, sharing the NYC & Company stand (NA300) along with more than 30 other attractions.

Other exciting exhibitors on stand, will be: New York Cruise Lines, which operates the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises; New York Philharmonic; Seaport District NYC, a shopping, dining and events neighbourhood; and Running Subway, which is creating a new attraction due to open in Times Square next spring, described as “part museum and part ride” and includes a flight simulation ride over the city’s landmarks.

Travelling further south brings visitors to historic Philadelphia, in the state of Pennsylvania.

The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (NA340) will highlight a host of new hotels – including the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, which occupies the top 12 floors of the 60-storey Comcast Innovation and Technology Center building – and the revamped Philadelphia Museum of Art, which will re-open in autumn 2020 following a $196 million transformation.

Even further south is the ‘sunshine state’ of Florida, where tourism is the mainstay of the economy, especially in the home of world-class theme parks, Orlando.

Planes, trains and self-driving buses are on the agenda for Visit Orlando (NA250), as it promotes quicker and easier ways for tourists to get around. A new terminal will open at Orlando International Airport in 2021; Virgin Trains will begin a service connecting Miami and Orlando from 2022; and driverless shuttle buses started running in some neighbourhoods, with plans to expand.

These developments, along with news focus on sustainability initiatives, will be discussed at WTM London by Visit Orlando’s Chief Executive George Aguel and the new mayor of Orlando & Orange County, Jerry Demings.

Meanwhile, Experience Kissimmee (NA330) in Florida will be showing delegates why the destination is known as the Vacation Home Capital of the World. It will also promote its ecotourism attractions such as wildlife reserves and birdwatching trails, plus activity centres for fishing, ziplining, hot air ballooning, horse riding, kayaking and airboat rides.

Visit Tampa Bay (NA240) will unveil its new cocktail book, Tampa with a Twist, at WTM London, showcasing cocktails created by local mixologists. Known for its hip hospitality, the Florida destination features a host of cocktail bars as well as craft breweries. The tourist board will also highlight new theme park rides such as Iron Gwazi – the fastest and steepest hybrid roller coaster in the world – which opens in spring 2020 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Overall, there are four new exhibitors from Florida, which include Isla Bella Beach Resort (NA200) set along the coastline of the Florida Keys; Orlando International Airport (NA250); Florida’s Northeast Coast (NA240), which represents five tourist boards along the Atlantic coastline; and CHM-Florida Resorts (NA240), which runs Sundial Beach Resort & Spa and the World Equestrian Center Hotel & Spa.

Nearby, is the island destination of Puerto Rico, which is on Stand NA100, part of the Brand USA Pavilion. It will be displaying a recent video collaboration with Lin-Manuel Miranda, the famous playwright and Hamilton composer, entitled ‘Discover Puerto Rico with Lin-Manuel’. The video series follows the Puerto Rican actor around his favourite locations to encourage visitors to discover the wonders of the destination.

Heading out west brings tourists to the Texan cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. Their tourist boards will be on stand NA350 to celebrate the forthcoming opening of several hotels – such as Virgin Hotels Dallas and Hotel Drover at Fort Worth’s Stockyards – as well as cultural developments, including major exhibitions at the African American Museum, and the recent opening of the Holocaust and Human Rights Museum.

Joining these exciting exhibitors at the Brand USA Pavilion are the attractions and entertainment specialist Legends Attractions (NA285); Noble House Hotels & Resorts, which features boutique properties in destinations across North America (NA200); Sahara Las Vegas, a hotel and casino with three distinctive towers (NA150).

Brand USA will also be using WTM London 2019 as an opportunity to promote their third big screen release – Into America’s Wild, scheduled to premiere in February. It will feature American trailblazers such as John Herrington, the first Native American Astronaut, and the Alaskan Pilot Ariel Tweto, who will take part in a cross-country journey of the United States and its iconic landscapes.

South of the US, there is a host of tourist attractions and hotels in Mexico and the Caribbean, which are sending delegations to WTM London.

The Mexican destination of Los Cabos will see its first ever, direct service from Europe launch on November 7, 2019. Holiday giant TUI will start the flights from London Gatwick airport, at the beginning of the winter season. Ten travel and tourism operators from Los Cabos (LA130) will share a stand at WTM London to highlight the region’s increased connectivity from the UK and Europe, as well as its upmarket attractions along Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Elsewhere, visitors to the Hard Rock Hotels stand (TA170) can enter a prize draw at WTM London to win a three-night stay in the new Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos. The all-inclusive resort will also be the place to see the debut of a new show, Bazzar, by Cirque de Soleil in January 2020.

Nobu Hotels (NA330) will be showcasing Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, which opened in April 2019, and Nobu Hotel Chicago which opens in early 2020. Meanwhile, on Mexico’s Riviera Maya is adult-only hotel UNICO 20˚87˚ (CA300). It has a new bar, Gin Time, and is launching more food and drink experiences, as well as wellness options and romance packages for 2020.

Heading eastwards from Mexico brings tourists to the Caribbean destination of the Dominican Republic. Bosses from the tourism ministry will be on stand CA300 to update delegates on the progress of the island’s first theme park, due to open in late 2020. Called Katmandu, Punta Cana, it will also include a 36-hole golf course.

Further east, where the Caribbean and Atlantic meet, is Antigua and Barbuda. Executives from the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (CA245) will be promoting the islands’ sailing, water-sports, romance and wellness themes. Highlights include the region’s biggest regatta, Antigua Sailing Week (April 25-May 1, 2020) and increased Virgin Atlantic services from London Gatwick to Antigua from 8 June, 2020.

To the south is the ‘Nature Island’ of Dominica. The Discover Dominica Authority (CA260) will be at WTM London to highlight its remarkable renaissance as the island continues its recovery from Hurricane Maria in 2017. Overall visitor arrivals for the first half of 2019 are up by 321% year-on-year, and overnight stays reached 43,774 – a 67% increase year-on-year. New luxury hotels include Jungle Bay Resort and Spa, Kempinski Cabrits Resort and Spa and Anichi Resort and Spa.

Meanwhile, in the southern Caribbean is Tobago, from where the Tobago Tourism Agency (CA250) will be bringing an eco-friendly message to WTM London. It will be promoting the island’s green initiatives and tagline: ‘Tobago Beyond: unspoilt, untouched, undiscovered’.

Next year will see sustainability projects come together under the Greening Initiative, as the destination works towards internationally recognised environmental standards. Furthermore, Styrofoam cups will be phased out and a new award will be given to the most environmentally sustainable resorts.

WTM London Senior Exhibition Director Simon Press said: “From the dramatic landscapes and buzzing cities of Canada and the US to the vibrant and varied destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean, we have an unrivalled selection of exhibitors with fresh tourism ideas and innovative concepts to share with our visitors.”

For more news about WTM London, please click here.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Julia Newbound – WTM Portfolio Press & PR Lead

E: julia.newbound@reedexpo.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 8910 7056 / M: +44 (0)7775 036 858

Nicole Smart – WTM Portfolio PR & Events Consultant

E: nicole.smart@reedexpo.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 8910 7032/ M: +44 (0)79 1955 5510

Tourism Resilience Centre to provide US$100,000 Towards Disaster Recovery Efforts in the Caribbean

by

Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett says his Ministry through the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), has allocated US$100,000 to support tourism-ravaged economies impacted by disruptions such as natural disasters and pandemics.

Speaking at a press conference today at the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Kingston office, the Minister noted that the announcement has stemmed from discussions he had with critical tourism partners at the recently concluded United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) 23rd Session of the General Assembly in Russia. 

“One of the key areas we looked at in Russia is how to deal with some of these disruptions that are affecting us… Coming out of these discussions, in collaboration with the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), we are providing US$100,000 in support of the tourism ravaged economies of the Bahamas and other areas in the Caribbean that may be impacted in the future,” said the Minister.

The JHTA has contributed US$20,000 to assist in relief efforts through the UNWTO and the GTRCMC.

The Minister noted that this fund is going to assist in relief efforts in hurricane-ravaged Bahamas but also towards the commissioning of a baseline study to assess the vulnerabilities of the Caribbean to major disruptions.

“A baseline study is being commissioned by the Centre to look at Caribbean vulnerabilities to disruptions of this nature. It is not just about hurricanes but other pandemics and epidemics. We are doing that, not just on the basis that is providing supplies but to build capacity. It is about the building of capacity to deal with disruptions,” said the Minister.

He also noted that, “This fund is going to look at a study in terms of understanding these phenomena but more importantly, how we build capacity to deal with them.” 

The Centre’s newly elected Executive Director, Professor Lloyd Waller and his team have been tasked with overseeing the process.

“We want to also acknowledge the work that the Sandals Foundation has done and is doing in terms of the recovery process in the Bahamas.  We are grateful for their partnership with the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, and the massive support they continue to give the Bahamas,” said the Minister.

The Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre’s mission includes assisting global tourism destinations with destination preparedness, management and recovery from disruptions and/or crises that affect tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods globally.  

MEDIA CONTACT:

Corporate Communications

Ministry of Tourism,

64 Knutsford Boulevard,

Kingston 5.

Tel: 920-4926-30,

Fax: 920-4944