Tourism Minister Urges Increased Production to Meet Sector Demand

As visitor arrivals continue to grow, the Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is highlighting the need to increase the production of goods and supplies to meet the growing demand in the sector.

“A great demand is on us. The demand for agricultural goods, for manufactured goods, for services of all types is now escalating but the supply is an issue,” he noted.

He was speaking on the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Expo 2024 held recently at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Rose Hall, St. James.

The Minister noted that last year, Jamaica welcomed four million tourists who spent approximately US$4 billion. Since the start of 2024, close to 1.5 million tourists have visited the island’s shores, generating foreign exchange earnings of almost US$2 billion.

Minister Bartlett said that increasing local production is critical in enabling the country to retain a larger portion of the tourist dollar, ensure the sector’s sustainability and maximise economic benefits for the country.

“The supply side is where the wealth is in tourism. Jamaica should start looking at the supply side and how we can bring more food, bring more pots, pans, cans and kettles to be utilised in the service of tourism,” he emphasised.

“So, bring the supplies, manufacture everything you can, produce everything you can, we will consume it and make you wealthy,” he urged.

The three-day Expo was held under the theme ‘Future Forward: Shaping Tomorrow’s Business Today’.

More than 125 businesses showcased their products and services, fostering networking and collaboration among tourism industry players.