KINGSTON, Jamaica – Efforts to boost cooperation between Jamaica and Cuba in the area of tourism have begun to bear fruit as both countries have agreed to solidify a multi-destination marketing arrangement along with the Dominican Republic.
Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett, on Wednesday (April 13) announced that the official Memorandum of Understanding should be agreed on by the countries in May, 2016. He said the move will see the introduction of a tripartite tourism agreement which will drive the growth of tourism in the region.
The announcement was made during a visit by Cuba’s Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Bernardo Guanche Hernandez to the Ministry of Tourism. “This is a very exciting moment for us here in the Caribbean. We are beginning to witness a seismic shift in the economic and social activities within our Caribbean space. The improved relationship between Cuba and the US has enabled us to begin to create a new architecture for tourism in the Northern Caribbean,” stated Minister Bartlett.
“Our dreams of establishing multi-destination marketing arrangements and greater economic collaboration are now becoming potent realities. The Ambassador and I discussed a number of critical issues that we can embark on together. Among them is a multi-destination marketing arrangement which will see cooperation between Jamaica and Cuba as well as the Dominican Republic in the area of tourism,” added Minister Bartlett.
The United States remains Jamaica’s largest market and with Cuba coming into the mainstream of economic activities within the region, the Minister believes that the timing is now perfect to formally implement this crucial partnership.
While emphasizing the potential of the agreement to boost the inflow of visitors to the region the Minister said “there is also the possibility of Russia becoming a part of this arrangement which will see airlift arrangements between Russia, Cuba, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.”
Ambassador Hernandez stated that he is pleased with the prospects of the arrangement. “Cuba will never forget the important role Jamaica played to help lift the embargo and open the door to Cuba. Secondly, we have the potential for every country in the area to have a very big market. There are many possibilities and I suggested that Minister Bartlett visit Cuba as soon as possible to have a meeting with our Minister Marrero Cruz in order to review the agreement and memorandum of understanding in order to further strengthen our relations in tourism,” he stated.
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