Long-Term Sustainable Development of Tourism

The Government is committed to the long-term sustainable development of tourism as it is expected to earn approximately US$2.835 billion, with total visitor arrivals of 4.188 million this year.

Delivering the 2017-18 Throne Speech in Parliament on February 9, Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, said tourism is one of the main drivers of economic growth in the country, adding that Jamaica will this year adopt the United Nations International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

In the meantime, he said the Spruce up Jamaica project, the Tourism Ministry’s flagship umbrella programme, was relaunched last month.

Spruce up Jamaica encapsulates various initiatives primarily geared at changing attitudes and creating integration among industries and programmes that impact the tourism sector.

Meanwhile, he said the development of the Centre for Hospitality and Tourism Innovation will aid the Ministry’s push to strengthen the island’s and, specifically, the tourism industry’s human capital.

He said the institution will cater to and produce supervisors, managers and hospitality professionals in areas such as Culinary Management, Spa Management and Hospitality Management.

The Governor-General informed that two artisan villages, one in Falmouth and the other in Ocho Rios, are slated for commencement during the new fiscal year.

“This one-stop shop facility will feature shops where craft and other indigenous products are manufactured and sold,” he said.