Bartlett named World Tourism Minister of the Year
TOURISM MINISTER Edmund Bartlett was on Thursday awarded Worldwide Tourism Minister of the Year by the prestigious Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) in Berlin, Germany.
“It is truly humbling to be recognised in this manner at such a major i nternational event. I accept this award, not for myself but for the people of Jamaica – it is clear that we have made our mark on the globe. The world now knows that Jamaica can host the biggest conferences and that we have some of the best attractions and hotels. No matter the passion point of our visitor, we can deliver,” said the minister.
During the ceremony, Jamaica also received the PAT WA International Travel Award 2017 for Best Destination for Adventure Tourism.
PATWA is a professional organisation of travel writers, which was founded in 1998 and works with both the public and private sectors t o support sustainable growth and improve the quality of travel and tourism. It adheres to the fundamental principles of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations (UN), and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). PATWA is an affiliate member of UNWTO.
LARGEST OF ITS KIND GLOBALLY
The awards were given at the ITB global tourism trade show, the largest of its kind globally, attracting around 109,000 visitors and 10,000 exhibitors. The trade show also has an audience of international travel and tourism leaders from around the world.
Bartlett was joined by Jamaica chargé d’affaires for Germany, Keisha K al Witter ; Direc tor of Tourism Donovan White; senior adviser/strategist Delano Seiveright, and Europe-based Jamaica Tourist Board ( JTB) officials.
Bartlett was recently awarded Caribbean Tourism Minister of the Year at the Caribbean Travel Awards 2017. He was also the recipient of the 2016 Caribbean Tourism Minister of Distinction award at the recent African Diaspora World Tourism Awards and World’s Leading Personality for Outstanding Services to Tourism at the 23rd World Travel Awards.
After I TB Berlin, Minister Bartlett travels to London to meet with stakeholders – such as tour operators, hotel representatives, market executives and travel-trade media representatives as part of JTB’s marketing plan to increase visitor arrivals from the country’s leading markets across the globe. He is expected to return to the island on March 14.
After ITB Berlin, Minister Bartlett travels to London to meet with stakeholders – such as tour operators, hotel representatives, market executives and travel-trade media representatives as part of JTB’s marketing plan to increase visitor arrivals …