Tourism Ministry Focused on Growth

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the Ministry will be “going all out” in driving a programme to grow the industry and make Jamaica a first choice destination for visitors.

In a recent interview with JIS News, Mr. Bartlett said he is confident that “all hands will be on deck” in support of the growth agenda.

He told JIS News that he is “very impressed” by the positive attitude and approach coming out of meetings being held with various stakeholders and interests across the island.

 “So far, people are rearing to go,” the Tourism Minister said.

“They really want to achieve the higher levels of growth that we are talking about. These are really exciting times as the prospects do look bright. We just have to put our collective minds together and come up with creative ways to improve on what we have,” he said.

“We have to make sure…all of us…that when the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) goes abroad and speaks of our little paradise here we will do exactly what we say we will do whenever the visitors get here,” he added.

Mr. Bartlett, in the meantime, implored employers in the sector to invest in the development of their workers.

 “We have to train the workers. This is more than just giving them a pay cheque. We can get so much more out of the workers if we get them to buy into the vision…get them to believe they are a part of what is happening. This is critical in going forward,” he noted.