Country to Build on Health Tourism

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the country will be building on the lucrative health tourism market, and  the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes will be a major focal point.

The Minister, who was speaking at the recent annual International Diabetes Conference at the Hyatt Ziva Hotel, Rose Hall, St. James, said research has shown that cannabis can be effective in fighting diabetes, and this is an area in which Jamaica could benefit.

“A research paper published by the American Alliance for Medical Cannabis suggests that the plant can help in stabilising blood sugars, preventing nerve inflammation and lowering blood pressure over time,” Mr. Bartlett said.

“The paper  also shows that it suppresses some of the arterial inflammation commonly experienced by diabetics, among other benefits. Therefore, the introduction of cannabis can, if proven effective, diversify options for the treatment of diabetes. Its introduction  will also play a role in diversifying the product that we market to tourists,” he added.

Mr. Bartlett  pointed out that there is every indication to suggest that there has been a steady rise in medical tourism over the past decade. He cites a report from the Global Institute, which shows that in 2013 wellness tourism was responsible for 600,000 trips to Jamaica, yielding expenditure of  US$716.9 million.

“Given the broad definition of wellness tourism, there will be overlap with tourism as we know it – sun, sand and sea.  But, imagine what those numbers would look like if we were to properly create a wellness tourism package for that new market,” he said.

Wellness tourism, the Minister  argued,  will enable  Jamaica to create new or modified products to offer this new market. These products, he said, will attract new investments in the tourism sector.

Mr. Bartlett added that wellness tourism will see the strengthening of partnerships among the relevant stakeholders – key players from the tourism, agricultural and health sectors, and regulatory and enforcement bodies.

“It will see new opportunities to penetrate the tourism market and the further development in our human capital. Our farmers will further develop their knowledge and skill in order to provide the quality of cannabis that is required for wellness and to be  competitive.”