KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett is currently leading a powerhouse tourism team from Jamaica to the World Travel Market in London. He is accompanied by Director General in the Ministry of Tourism, Carrole Guntley, new Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, John Lynch and Director of Tourism Basil Smith.
Speaking at a team meeting this morning, Minister Bartlett expresses great optimism about the possible outcome of the mission, “Our European market has been growing steadily, and we are experiencing substantial buoyancy, especially in the UK.
The many meetings and discussions we will have over the next week are designed to shore up the advance bookings already in hand, while opening up new vistas for the uncommitted traveler. The value of this trip will take us through the upcoming winter season and well into the summer, as Europeans are typically long term travel planners”, he opined.
While in London, the Jamaican team will meet with key partners in the European market such as the tour operators and airlines (including Virgin and BMI) to address the gaps in airlift into the Caribbean.
The top four executives are complemented by a public-private sector delegation, which includes executives from the attractions, accommodations and ground transportation sub-sectors.
In pursuit of the government’s bullish approach to landing new and increased investments to the sector, the delegation also includes a team from Jamaica Trade and Invest (formerly JAMPRO).
The WTM, hosted every year at this time in London, is one of the two major travel shows in the World. The only other that approaches it in significance, size and scope is the ITB in Berlin, Germany.
The Ministry of Tourism will provide a daily summary of each day’s activities at the World Travel Market, starting Friday, November 9 to keep the Jamaican taxpayer in the loop as to their representation at this international forum.
