Minister Bartlett Urges Stronger Partnerships to Drive Tourism

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has highlighted the importance of stronger partnerships across government, communities and the private sector to build a more competitive, inclusive and resilient tourism industry.

“Tourism succeeds only when everybody shows up,” he said.

“The real infrastructure of tourism is not concrete, it is cooperation. The strongest asset in Jamaican tourism is not a building, it is trust. The greatest resource we possess is not our beaches, it is our people and the most important investment we can make is in relationships,” he added.

Minister Bartlett’s remarks were read by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Jennifer Griffith, at the Tourism Product Development Company Limited’s (TPDCo) 30th anniversary Stakeholder Awards Ceremony held on Thursday (Oct. 15), at The Garden Hotel in Mandeville, Manchester.

The ceremony brought together tourism leaders, government officials and industry partners to celebrate three decades of transformation in the sector and recognise stakeholders whose contributions have helped advance Jamaica’s tourism product since TPDCo’s establishment in 1996.

Among the stakeholder organisations identified for recognition were the Jamaica Tourist Board, Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Enhancement Fund, Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, Jamaica Constabulary Force, Jamaica Information Service, Jamaica National Heritage Trust, National Environment and Planning Agency, National Works Agency, Port Authority of Jamaica, Jamaica Vacations Limited and several municipal corporations, along with organisations spanning transportation, environmental management, heritage, community development, emergency services and other areas.

Minister Bartlett in commending the award recipients, said that the strength of the industry extends beyond hotels and attractions, pointing to Jamaica’s communities, heritage sites, attractions, transportation systems, public health services, culture, entertainment, safety and public spaces as integral parts of the tourism product.

He noted that stakeholders across these areas contribute to the visitor experience, regardless of whether tourism features in their official titles.

Minister Bartlett said that Tourism 3.0, which aims to reposition the destination for sustained growth, recognises the importance of these partnerships by prioritising inclusion, community engagement, sustainability, innovation and creating value for Jamaicans.

Mr. Bartlett urged stakeholders in the sector to strengthen their commitment to sustainable tourism, noting that the next chapter must focus on ensuring that communities play an active role in tourism development and benefit from the opportunities it creates.

He commended TPDCo for 30 years of contribution to product development, destination assurance, stakeholder engagement and community empowerment.

He thanked the award recipients for their contribution to environmental protection, heritage preservation, safety and security, health standards, cultural promotion and community development.