The Montego Bay Declaration to come from tourism conference – Bartlett

TOURISM MINISTER Edmund Bartlett has said that a segment of the upcoming conference will highlight the viability of community tourism, to ensure that all sectors benefit from the industry. He said, too, that a key outcome of the global conference will be the Montego Bay Declaration.

“From this declaration, an action plan will flow, with measurable goals for tourism destinations to pursue and the second volume of the UNWTO Global Report on Public Private Partnerships will also be published,” he said. “We are also collaborating with Caribbean Tourism Organisation and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourist Association to establish the groundwork for a more sustainable tourism future.”

Bartlett explained: “Another element of the conference includes tours of community tourism projects for development and commercial bank representatives, with a view to advising how to build out a truly sustainable tourism product which will create jobs and generate income, while protecting and preserving heritage and cultural practices.”

He pointed out that representatives of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) will also participate in the conference to highlight access to financing for industry participants. The TEF has committed more than $1 billion for well-needed SMTE loans to boost the sustainable growth of the sector. These loan facilities are administered by National Export-Import Bank of Jamaica (EXIM Bank) as well as JN Small Business Loans.

Gillian Hyde, general manager, JN Small Business Loans, which has been supporting small entrepreneurs in tourism enterprises, is optimistic that the conference will benefit SMTEs and the Jamaican economy.

“As a company which provides support for members of the sector through the Tourism Enhancement Fund, we believe that the UNWTO conference will provide opportunities for SMTEs to be accommodated and to showcase their products and services,” she stated.

Hyde also noted: “From a policy standpoint, it will help to prepare us for the future, as SMTEs become one of the dominant players in the industry, which can only augur well for the sector and the Jamaican economy.”

The November conference is said to be the largest international tourism conference that will be held in the region.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Community tourism has been earmarked as one of the areas that is important to sustainable tourism. Here, Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett (left) discusses details of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to provide funding to residents of Treasure...