IDB to use outcomes of UNWTO conference to shape policies for the region
THE INTER-AMERICAN Development Bank (IDB) is anticipating that the outcomes of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Global Conference on ‘Jobs and Inclusive growth for Sustainable Tourism’ in Jamaica later this month, will provide the data and context that will shape the bank’s future policies in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Therese Turner-Jones, general manager for the IDB’s Caribbean country department, revealed that following the conference, the bank expects “to be in a better position to adjust and tailor our technical assistance and development lending services, which will in turn feed into our future corporate sector strategy”.
The conference will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre from November 27 to 29.
The IDB is a conference partner, along with the Government of Jamaica and the World Bank Group.
According to the bank official, Alexandre Meira da Rosa, vice-president for countries, IDB will participate in the discussion on ‘Global Overview: Setting the Framework’, with president and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council, Gloria Guevara; global director, World Bank Group, Cecile Fruman; and other international presenters.
James Scriven, CEO of the Inter-American Investment Corporation, a member of the IDB Group, will also participate in the plenary four session, ‘Technical Assistance to Financing – The Multiple Dimensions of Tourism at MDBs’. As a followup to the conference, next year the IDB will host a regional policy dialogue with Caribbean tourism ministers.
GREAT OCCASION
Therese Turner-Jones underscored that this conference is a great occasion for the IDB. “Being a UNWTO conference partner also affords us the opportunity to engage with and support a diverse group of primary industry and wider stakeholders in dialogue about challenges, priorities, and strategic actions in the tourism sector”.
The IDB representative pointed out that her organisation is specifically interested in discussions during the conference that will address the identification and development of fiscal incentives for the tourism sector, tourism product development and the growth of natural and cultural public goods that are attractive to tourists.
Turner-Jones says the IDB will also be focusing on consultations about tourism promotion and marketing; the development, of regional tourism circuits; the fostering of improved linkages and social inclusion at local levels; as well as the improvement of infrastructure and services for the sector.
Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett said that the Montego Bay conference will be the first time in the history of the UNWTO that the private and public sectors will be working together, in collaboration with multilateral financial institutions, to stage an event of this nature.
More than 500 international and local participants will be engaged in plenary sessions and workshops on a wide range of subject matters pertinent to tourism during the Montego Bay conference.