For Immediate Release | Official News Wire for the Travel Industry

Where press releases are breaking news

Jamaica Tourism Rebounding from the Impact of COVID-19

by

As the tourism sector seeks to rebound from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jamaica Tourist Board’s ‘Rediscover Jamaica’ campaign is being hailed as a major success in helping to drive this process. In highlighting the positive contribution of the campaign, Jamaica Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett said it “has been a great success, with some hotels reporting up to 50% to 60% occupancy from local bookings.”

Minister Bartlett, disclosed this recently as he welcomed the reopening of the 49-suite Zoetry hotel in Montego Bay, following a seven-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr. Bartlett expressed confidence that “this initiative will continue to reduce the impact caused by the fallout from a decline in international tourism receipts and ensure continued buoyancy of the sector until some semblance of normalcy returns.”

He also noted that currently Jamaica is enjoying the highest booking rate in the region with more bookings directly rather than through travel agents. If current levels of interest are maintained, “we are potentially looking at over one million visitors by year end, which would be a fairly impressive achievement, given the current environment,” stated Minister Bartlett.

Regarding investments, he said investors continue to show confidence in the Jamaican market, adding that 90% of previously planned projects are still on target, despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Among those slated to come on-stream are a 1700-room hotel in St. James, 2,000 rooms in Green Island, Hanover, and tourism development programs for Kingston and Port Royal.

“This show of confidence in Jamaica by investors has helped to boost our image as a leading tourist destination,” said the Minister as he noted that these investments are creating job opportunities and further fueling the expansion and diversification of the tourism product.

For its part, government was working to create an environment that attracts and fosters premium investments in the sector and to this end, “we are investing in infrastructural development, including the modernization and expansion of the two international airports, improvement of the road network, and expansion and development of our cruise ship piers,” disclosed Minister Bartlett.

He noted that as the country recovers from the current COVID-19 crisis, there was little doubt that the future growth of the nation must be through tourism.  “If tourism’s recovery is to be responsible and sustainable, we must look beyond investments in accommodation and encourage investment in experiential marketing arrangements that will keep Jamaica competitive and cutting edge at all times,” the Tourism Minister said.

Zoetry is one of several properties operated in Jamaica by AMResorts, including the 700-room Secrets Resort, and Breathless Resort, which also reopened its 150-room property recently. Secrets has been back in operation since August 8.

Associate Director of Sales, Kaylia Harrison disclosed that a day after reopening, Zoetry hosted a wedding and most prior bookings had rebooked for October, “so the occupancy is not looking badly at all. This weekend we will be in the 50s and 60s percentage wise, so that’s good.”    

More news about Jamaica

#rebuildingtravel

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

Fraport Brings More Temperature-Sensitive Transporters for Frankfurt Airport

by

Fraport, the owner and operator of Frankfurt Airport (FRA), will be using two additional state-of-the-art refrigerated trailers for the transportation of temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products. This will take Fraport’s total fleet for cross-apron transportation up to 20 temperature-controlled transporters.

“The two new refrigerated transporters will give us maximum flexibility when it comes to handling temperature-sensitive goods. We have profound expertise in this area, and our customers benefit from this. It means that we can offer ideal infrastructure conditions together with our partners at Air Cargo Community in Frankfurt,” said Siegfried Pasler, Head of Ground Handling Services at Fraport AG. The new dollies are called “cool boxes.” They allow pinpoint transportation of temperature-sensitive products in a range of between minus 20 and plus 30 degrees Celsius. Each transporter has two cabins, which can be accessed efficiently from both sides. Each cabin is also fitted with an individually adjustable cooling system. Even when the engine is switched off and the outside temperature is 30 degrees Celsius, the cabin will remain at the set temperature for over 60 minutes. The transporters also have an electronic temperature monitoring system and a tracking system, which enable them to continuously transmit up-to-the-minute loading information.

“Last year, we handled 120,000 metric tons of pharmaceutical products at Frankfurt Airport, making us Europe’s leading pharmaceutical hub. The expansion of the fleet significantly underpins our status even further, particularly with a view to the upcoming transportation of the coronavirus vaccine,” explained Max Philipp Conrady, Head of Cargo Infrastructure and Development at Fraport.

Fraport has been using state-of-the-art, high-performance temperature-controlled transporters for over twenty years now, giving the airport operator a long track record in this area. Frankfurt Airport currently has around 12,000 square meters of temperature-controlled handling capacity available for pharmaceutical products. Another 2,000 square meters are about to be put into operation. Over 75 percent of the airport’s transport routes are certified in accordance with international and European CEIV1 standards.

Media Contact:

Christian Engel

Corporate Communications

Media Relations

Telephone +49 69 690-30713

c.engel@fraport.de

Fraport AG Begins Construction of New Truck Parking Lot in CargoCity South

by

Today, Fraport AG began construction of a new truck parking lot at Frankfurt Airport’s CargoCity South. The roughly 14,500-square-meter lot is located within the airport’s operational area near Airport Gate 32 in the southern part of Frankfurt Airport (FRA). The new lot will provide space for another 61 trucks, bringing the total truck parking spaces available at CargoCity South to 135. The plans also include state-of-the-art sanitary facilities with shower rooms for the drivers. The parking lot will take around one year to build and is set to be operational by the end of 2021.

Max Philipp Conrady, head of Fraport AG’s Cargo Infrastructure and Development unit, said: “The dedicated truck parking area will further expand parking capacity in CargoCity South. It will provide ample space and modern facilities, as well as improve cargo processes for all partners in this busy area. The coronavirus pandemic has once again demonstrated that CargoCity South is an important transshipment hub for vital goods. We believe that the airfreight sector will continue to be pivotal for the distribution of key products from around the globe. This is why we wish to quickly put in place the additional parking spaces so we can offer our customers even better service.”

Shipping and logistics companies sometimes have to wait for their truck time slot until they can access the relevant logistics warehouse in CargoCity South. In the future, they can bridge the time either at the existing truck parking lot close to Airport Gate 31 or at the new parking lot now under construction at Airport Gate 32.

This parking facility will be equipped with five barrier gates for vehicles entering or exiting. The sanitary rooms will be free to use for parking lot customers. The overall construction cost is expected to be in the low single-digit million euro range. In addition to the truck parking spaces, the new lot will also provide 23 spaces for cars and 2 for buses. These spaces will be separated from the truck area by a fence in order to allow access from the public area of CargoCity South.

Media Contact:  Christian Engel, Corporate Communications, Media Relations, Telephone +49 69 690-30713, c.engel@fraport.de

Jamaica Carnival Postponed Until Next Year

by

Jamaica Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett today announced that Carnival in Jamaica organizers will forgo its annual road march and related activities until April 11, 2021.

“As the country enters the community transmission phase of the COVID-19 virus, we strongly believe it is in the best interest of our people, to forego hosting our annual carnival celebrations for this year,” Minister Bartlett expressed.

“We are mindful of the significant economic loss this will have on our country, as this event generates billions annually, with many small and medium sized enterprises benefitting from the celebrations. However, the Government of Jamaica must continue to put strong measures in place to prevent unnecessary exposure of our people and visitors to the deadly disease,” said Minister Bartlett.

The road parade originally scheduled for Sunday, April 19 was first postponed to Sunday, October 25, due to the threat of the spread of the novel coronavirus. The decision to forego hosting the event in 2020 was made after consultation with event organizers and members of Government and is in keeping with current containment measures.

“Based on all of the professional healthcare advice, taking into account that carnival is not only a local but also an international tourism entertainment product, we have no choice but to reschedule the staging of our Carnival in Jamaica Road Parade from October 25th 2020 to April 11th 2021.  This will allow us the time to do what we need to do to have a safe and enjoyable Carnival in 2021,” said Chairman of the Carnival in Jamaica stakeholders committee, Kamal Bankay.

He further noted that all of the bands and fetes will honor all tickets and costumes purchased in 2020 for the 2021 staging.

A revised Carnival in Jamaica calendar, including all the major fetes will follow in the coming days.

More news about Jamaica.

#rebuildingtravel

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

New School Water Harvesting Systems Set to Combat Drought and Improve Sanitation in new COVID-19 Era

by

Ahead of the start of the 2020/2021 academic year, work is far advanced to improve the drought management strategy and enhance the sanitation systems within seven infant and primary schools across St. Ann, Hanover, St. James and Westmoreland.

In January, long before Jamaica recorded its first coronavirus infection, the National Education Trust, with the support of the Sandals Foundation embarked on implementing its “Water Harvesting and Sanitation for Schools” project as part of efforts to mitigate drought conditions, implement sustainable water harvesting systems, and improve sanitation facilities for over 200 children across the 4 parishes.

The activities are valued at more than J$7 million and is made possible through an ongoing partnership between the Sandals Foundation and Coca Cola.

Shirley Moncrieffe, Director of Education Donor Projects at the National Education Trust, says the water and sanitation program is crucial in enhancing the social, economic, and health realities of students.

“The lack of water has a harmful effect in the quality of life for our children as it not only causes various diseases, but it contributes to poor sanitation and hygiene and retards education outcomes.”

Through this project, Moncrieffe said, “We aim to ensure that children ages 4 to 12 years old have access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitary toilet and hand washing facilities, and minimized exposure to mosquito infestation and diseases.”

Benefiting schools are Cocoon Castle Primary & Infant School as well as Success Primary & Infant School in Hanover, Holly Hill Primary & Infant School, Kings Primary & Infant School in Westmoreland, Lime Hall Primary & Infant School in St. Ann, and Farm Primary & Infant School in St. James. The seventh school will be completed in the coming weeks.

Now, as the island’s academic year seeks to resume in a new reality characterized by the global COVID-19 pandemic, sustainable water and sanitation systems are even more greatly needed.

“These systems will complement the sustained efforts of teachers and parents to develop healthy sanitation habits amongst children,” said Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation.

“The infant and primary school years,” Clarke continued, “are critical stages of a child’s personal and educational growth. The Sandals Foundation is committed to ensuring that children are not denied class time because of the unavailability of water, so by strengthening the external resources that are provided during this crucial time, we can help keep our children healthy and create a strong foundation that sets them on a positive trajectory.”

Clean Water and Sanitation as well as Good Health and Wellbeing represent goals number 6 and 3 respectively of the Sustainable Development Goals for which Jamaica is a signatory and an active partner in implementing.

The Sandals Foundation executive welcomes the program of the National Education Trust noting that “as Jamaica charts forward with its national targets to achieve these Sustainable Development Goals, it is imperative for every capable stakeholder to do what we can to promote the health and well-being of persons of all ages and to increase access to clean water.”

The National Education Trust’s Water Harvesting & Sanitation for Schools Project seeks to install systems within 344 schools that have been identified by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information to be in critical need of water storage facilities.

More news from Sandals

#rebuildingtravel

MEDIA CONTACT: 1-888-SANDALS, info@sandals.com

“Chill Like a Jamaican” is the island’s invitation to the world to slow down and enjoy

by

Jamaica has long-held an outsized influence on global culture through entertainment, cuisine, sports and beauty. Always in search of larger-than-life experiences for its visitors, Jamaica has created an exciting new way to enjoy the island and visit its iconic spots. The content series “Chill Like a Jamaican” is the island’s invitation to the world to slow down and enjoy island time, first digitally and then by visiting Jamaica.

With consumers needing a break from this quarantine, Jamaican celebrities and local tourism leaders have come together to show fans how to “chill” with a Jamaican twist on food, fitness, cocktails, and more. The series follows Olympic Gold Medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price, Master Blender Joy Spence of Appleton Estate, Pepa of the Grammy award-winning duo Salt-n-Pepa, Miss Jamaica World and Miss Jamaica Universe Yendi Phillips, and dancehall artist, BayC as they “chill.” 

“Each Chill Like a Jamaican video showcases Jamaica’s iconic offerings, reminding locals and visitors alike of their favorite experiences,” said Donovan White, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism. “Our vibrant culture takes center stage displaying what makes Jamaica the Heartbeat of the World.

The “Chill Like a Jamaican” video series is currently live across the Jamaica Tourist Board’s  Instagram and Facebook social media channels.

Jamaica opened its borders to international visitors for rest and relaxation on June 15. The island has implemented a comprehensive set of health and safety protocols to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. While on island, travelers can expect an enhanced experience at hotels including digital check-in, hand sanitizer stations, elimination of self service at buffets, digital or single use menus, social distancing markers throughout the property and much more. To learn more, go to: www.visitjamaica.com/travelupdate   

About Jamaica Tourist Board 

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and Mumbai.  

TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #1 Caribbean Destination and #14 Best Destination in the World in 2019. Also this year, the International Council of the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) named Jamaica the Destination of the Year and TravAlliance Media named JTB Best Tourism Board, and Jamaica as Best Culinary Destination, Best Wedding Destination and Best Honeymoon Destination. Additionally, the JTB has been declared the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board by the World Travel Awards (WTA) for thirteen consecutive years between 2006 and 2019. Jamaica also earned the WTA’s award for the Caribbean’s Leading Destination, Leading Cruise Destination and Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2018 for the Montego Bay Convention Centre. Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that have won several awards throughout the years.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB’s Web site at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422).  Follow the JTB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.islandbuzzjamaica.com.  

More news about Jamaica

#rebuildingtravel

MEDIA CONTACT:

Paige Bryan / Natalia Lopez

Finn Partners

Jamaica@FinnPartners.com

Multipurpose Courts at Buckfield Playfeld Renovated to Serve St. Ann Residents

by

The basketball and multi-purpose playing courts at Buckfield Playfield, located in the heart of Ocho Rios in Jamaica, have received a major facelift and renovations to better serve residents across the parish of St. Ann. Following an approximately US$50,000 investment from the Sandals Foundation, the center is better than ever.

The center has been a safe space for youths to spend their time and a major hub for hosting friendly games, sports competitions, and entertainment events. The upgraded facility now boasts a resurfaced basketball and multipurpose court with accompanying netball equipment, newly-constructed spectator stands, installed lights to improve night events and security, fencing, and colorful murals to brighten the space.

Director of Operations at the Sandals Foundation, Karen Zacca, says the project commenced in 2019 and has been a labor of love aligned with the Foundation’s commitment to community development and engaging youth through sports.

“Spaces that encourage sports bring residents together to play, build relationships, develop lifelong skills, and are important to the health of a community. Outside each of our immediate families, our communities help give us a sense of belonging, and the Sandals Foundation will always give high priority to creating safe spaces for our communities to thrive.”

Public Relations Manager at Sandals Ocho Rios Resort, Lyndsay Isaacs, who coordinated logistics says the team ensured to employ the skills of local contractors and laborers to execute the renovations.

“Projects that serve the community must also employ the services of the community. As much as is possible, the Foundation engages local professionals to engender a sense of ownership in the development process as well as to help support the livelihoods of those who are employed.”

The multiple murals, strategically positioned across the sports field, were drawn by local artist Zara and painted by Sandals Resorts guests and team members who volunteered during outreach activities before the onset of the coronavirus.

“This is a family affair for us, and the Sandals Foundation is the vehicle through which our resort guests, team members, travel agents, and partners get an opportunity to serve the communities in which we operate. I am very happy with the outcome of this project and have no doubt the people of St.  Ann will use it well.”

Ocho Rios resident basketballer, Dehalo Sappleton, says the renovated courts will help the local teams earn their stripes on their home ground.

“This kind of donation is greatly appreciated, and we will treat it like it’s our own. Some of the most talented basketballers come from Ocho Rios, and we often go to Kingston and Montego Bay to make our name. This renovated court now gives us the opportunity to make our name in our hometown.”

And, Kurt Dale, Sports Officer for the parish of St. Ann with the Institute of Sports, says the renovated facilities will help budding netballers hone their skills and develop the level of participation in the sport.

“We find that up to 50% of persons do not want to further their skills in netball, because they do not have facilities to play. A number of the girls have to travel a long distance to be able to play, but with courts like this readily available, it will be much easier for them to go out and participate.”

More news about Sandals

#rebuildingtravel

MEDIA CONTACT: 1-888-SANDALS, info@sandals.com

WTM London creating a safe forum

by

WTM London – the event where Ideas Arrive – and Travel Forward – the travel and hospitality technology event co-located with WTM London – are working closely with partners and experts to ensure a safe and successful experience at ExCeL London (November 2-4, 2020).

Detailed plans are being made for every aspect of the shows, which is set to be one of the first major exhibitions to take place globally since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

The preparations were given a boost earlier this month when British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave the green light for conferences and exhibitions to resume in October.

WTM London’s Senior Director Simon Press announced the live shows’ highlights during a virtual press conference which combined more than 200 pre-registered journalists and digital influencers from nearly 30 countries.

WTM London – November 2-4 at ExCel London

UNWTO, WTTC & WTM Ministers’ Summit Expands into New Territories

Tourism leaders from around the world will once again come together for the Ministers’ Summit – the largest annual meeting of tourism ministers – at WTM London to set out a roadmap for a safer, greener and smarter future for the sector.

Given the unprecedented scale of the challenge facing tourism, the UNWTO and WTM will partner with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which is representing the global travel and tourism private sector at the event for the first time in its history, making it the UNWTO, WTTC & WTM Ministers’ Summit. The summit will feature a day-long think-tank on Monday, November 2, during WTM London.

WTM London partners with ITIC to launch investment summit

WTM London and ITIC will come up together to host a tourism investment summit that will help recover businesses and restore travellers’ confidence after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conference aims to explain the financial mechanisms that allow travel companies to recover and rebuild. Investment experts will also give guidelines on how to prepare for any other future global disaster.

Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman of ITIC and former Secretary-General of UNWTO said: “It is a great honour and a privilege for ITIC to partner with WTM, the greatest and most impactful Tourism Trade Show in the world. It will focus to prepare a comprehensive tourism recovery plan, to rebuild destinations, encourage innovation and investment, and rethink the tourism sector.”

Ibrahim Ayoub, Group CEO, MD and Organiser of ITIC said: “We are thrilled to partner with WTM for our third tourism investment conference where Ministers, Policy Makers, Tourism Leaders and Projects Owners will engage with Investors and Private Equity firms to discuss and explore new financial mechanisms and alliances in sustainable investments in the industry and readying for market recovery in the post COVID-19 era.”

New Marketing Conference and Master Class Workshop in partnership with The Five Percent

WTM London will partner with The Five Percent to launch Marketing Conference and Master Class.

The Five Percent will be hosting a one-day workshop with globally acclaimed paid traffic, branding, and marketing experts who will be sharing their knowledge on what is working right now across the businesses they work with.

The agency brings over 20 years of business training experience and due to its influential management team, it has rapidly become renowned for creating highly actionable content for entrepreneurs to improve their marketing, sales, leadership, and financial skills.

Simon Press said: “We’re looking forward to a long-lasting partnership with The Five Percent and our continued commitment to up-level and bring the world’s leading experts and expertise to our clients, partners and visitors.”

Enhanced WTM Buyers Club Program

In 2019, WTM Buyers’ Club programme was revamped to create a new and exclusive experience for buyers, exhibitors and visitors. This year the programme will be even more exclusive.

“More than ever before, WTM London will refine products in order to give attendees the best experience possible. Our exclusive approach to the Buyers’ Club will produce fantastic results, making WTM London the location for the world’s top buyers to do business and to enhance the global travel industry,” said Simon Press.

WTM Speed Networking New Format

WTM Speed networking will deliver a new format in line with new physical distancing procedures. There is a huge demand to gain access to speed networking from both exhibitors & buyers.

The new format will deliver better connections and more meetings all in a safe environment with plans being announced by the organisers in the coming weeks.

New Customer Experience

WTM London’s organisers have been liaising closely with Public Health England, the UK Government, ExCeL London and the Association of Event Venues to enable the safest possible experience in November.

Simon Press, WTM London’s Event Director, said: “This year’s event might be slightly different but visitors can expect the same great WTM experience.

“We’re working with partners to ensure we are confident in the safety measures they have in place for getting WTM and TF attendees to and from Excel. We’ll carefully manage the capacity of the venue, and make sure all protocols to allow physical distancing will be followed.

“There will also be hand sanitiser points, hygiene screens and increased cleaning schedules and every system.

“We’ll use contactless technology for interactions such as scanning badges and payments at catering outlets, and food and drinks will be pre-packaged.

“It’s exciting to think that, in just three months’ time, we will be welcoming professionals from around the world to the event where Ideas Arrive – to help our industry recover, rebuild and innovate.”

Click Here to Watch The Video

About World Travel Market

World Travel Market (WTM) Portfolio comprises six leading travel events across four continents, generating more than $7.5 billion of industry deals. The events are:

WTM Global Hub, is the new WTM Portfolio online portal, created to connect and support travel industry professionals around the world. The resource hub offers the latest guidance and knowledge to help exhibitors, buyers and others in the travel industry face the challenges of the global coronavirus pandemic. WTM Portfolio – the parent brand for WTM London, WTM Latin America, Arabian Travel Market, WTM Africa, Travel Forward and other key travel trade events – is tapping into its global network of experts to create content for the hub.

WTM Global Hub Home

WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. Around 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media visit ExCeL London every November, generating over £3.71 billion in travel industry contracts. http://london.wtm.com/

Next event: Monday, November 2, to Wednesday, November 4, 2020 – London #IdeasArriveHere

eTurboNews is a media partner for WTM London.

#rebuildingtravel

Media Contact:

Natalia Hartmann – WTM Portfolio Press & PR

E: natalia.hartmann@reedexpo.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 8439 5535/ M: +44 (0)7775 036 858

Sandals Resorts and Beaches Caring for Seniors Amidst Coronavirus

by

The food and health needs of some 50 shut-ins and senior citizens in five adjoining Black River communities were recently supported with the careful coordinated delivery of care packages by members of the Crawford Community Development Committee (CDC).

The packages which included sanitizers, toiletries and groceries were purchased by the Sandals Foundation from the Lasco Chin Foundation, through members of the Sandals South Coast Resort team. The items offer relief to the social needs emerging from the current Corona virus pandemic and subsequent island-wide stay at home policy.

Benefiting from the delivery were residents of Fustic Grove, Crawford, Hill Top, Dalintober and Sandy Ground in St. Elizabeth.

Garnett Smith, Vice Chairman of Crawford CDC says it was important to mobilize help for the residents who were experiencing challenges moving around.

“It was a challenge for many residents to get to the grocery store and purchase the items they needed. The communities are in hilly areas with limited amounts of taxis. With a mandatory restriction on the number of passengers that can be carried in a car and the nightly curfews, we knew that we had to do what we could to help.”

Recipients, Smith noted, were between 60 and 80 years old and are dependent on family members to care for their needs.

In preparing the care packages, Adrian Whitehead, General Manager of Sandals South Coast and Sandals Foundation Ambassador affirmed, “It is our duty as a company to support members of the communities in which we operate.”

The global health crisis, he noted, “calls upon each of us to look around and see where we can all lend a helping hand and ease the needs of our neighbors and the most vulnerable. The resort and the Sandals Foundation will continue to look for avenues where we can be of service so we can recover from this pandemic even stronger.”

More news about Sandals.

#rebuildingtravel

MEDIA CONTACT: 1-888-SANDALS, info@sandals.com

Jamaica Tourism Minister Addresses UNCTAD Report of COVID-19 Fallout

by

Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says that a report published today by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) outlining the projected fallout for the global economy and in particular countries like Jamaica, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism, further underscores the need to restore the sector by reopening on a phased basis and in a safe manner. 

The report outlines that the “world’s tourism sector could lose at least US$1.2 trillion or 1.5% of the global gross domestic product (GDP), having been placed at a standstill for nearly four months due to the coronavirus pandemic.” It further indicates that “the loss could rise to US$2.2 trillion or 2.8% of the world’s GDP if the break in international tourism lasts for eight months, in line with the expected decline in tourism as projected by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).”

The report also lists Jamaica as the country which stands to suffer the greatest economic fallout, with an estimated decline of 11% of GDP, ahead of Thailand (-9%), Croatia (-8%), Portugal (-6%) and the Dominican Republic (-5%), to name a few.

The Minister noted that “as I recently indicated in Parliament, restoring our tourism sector is a matter of economic life and death. The reality is that Jamaica’s economy is dependent on the tourism industry. It contributes 50% of the foreign exchange earnings of the economy and generates 354,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs.” He added that: “Sadly, most of our tourism workers have been displaced due to the pandemic. So, the UNCTAD report underscores the fact that we have to restore the sector as quickly as possible to reverse the impact of COVID-19 on the country’s GDP.”

He explained that “the report also comes against the background of our own projections that Jamaica is expected to lose JA$146 billion from April 2020 to March 2021, due to the downturn in tourism caused by COVID-19.”

Minister Bartlett emphasized that: “The month of July, which promises to show the strongest surge of recovery, must be managed well and the new protocols that we have introduced are designed to enable a more seamless entry of Jamaicans and visitors alike.” He said that “the appointment of a new Resilient Corridor management team, led by Mr. John Byles, further underpins the surveillance and compliance of entities along the corridor and is an added step as we seek to secure the integrity of the process and continue to safeguard the health and well-being of our people.” 

More news about Jamaica.

#rebuildingtravel

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