Tourism Outlook Seminar to focus on “Retooling for the New Decade”

Kingston-Preparations are in high gear for the fourth annual Tourism Outlook Seminar (TOS), which under the theme "Retooling for the New Decade… 2011 and Beyond," will play host to some of the industry's brightest minds, who will examine the way forward for the Caribbean's tourism industry. The seminar will provide valuable insight to tourism stakeholders and offer a strategic outlook on how to further develop and grow the tourism trade.

The two-day seminar is set to unfold in the next two weeks, from April 19 to 20, at the conference centre of the luxurious Half Moon, A RockResort in Montego Bay. The event is being staged by the Ministry of Tourism, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), and the Tourism Enhancement Fund in partnership with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Tourism Minister, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett says "with tourism being a major economic engine for the global economy, especially for countries like Jamaica where tourism is currently the main foreign exchange earner, the Tourism Outlook Seminar has been strategically designed to provide the kind of solutions that will assist players in the dynamic tourism trade in the Caribbean to overcome current challenges." Among the topics to be discussed are; Maintaining Tourism Competitiveness, Retooling Your Business in Today's Competitive Environment and Cruise Dynamics in the Caribbean.

Minister Bartlett adds that "this year's seminar promises to be very informative and crucial to the future of an industry which has been serving Jamaica and the Caribbean well over the years. I am extremely confident that it will facilitate the type of dialogue and provide the kind of solutions that will assist players in the tourism industry in the Caribbean to remain competitive. The main tenets of this insightful event are all connected to one main message – that tourism is one of the leading catalysts for global economic recovery and development."

Director of Tourism, and Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board Mr. John Lynch outlined that "the TOS will be used as the platform for positioning the industry in such a way so as to foster stronger relationships and create growth in all sectors of the industry. This timely event will address issues which are critical to survival in the increasingly competitive global environment, and thereby help to position stakeholders for success."

The first Tourism Outlook Seminar was held in Kingston in 2008. Over the years the seminar has brought together a gathering of outstanding tourism minds from several international, regional and local organizations including the UNWTO, Caribbean Tourism Organization, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, Florida Caribbean Cruise Association, Trip Advisor, Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, and JetBlu. These distinguished experts in their respective fields addressed critical issues relating to the tourism trade.  

This year the cadre of presenters will be equally impressive and insightful. They have been drawn from well recognized organizations worldwide, such as the UNWTO, the Inter-American Investment Corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Grace Kennedy Limited, Pan Caribbean Financial Services, PhoCusWright, and Exim Bank of Jamaica among others.

For further information contact:    

Kingsley Roberts
Director, Corporate Communications,
Ministry of Tourism,
64 Knutsford Boulevard,
Kingston 5.
Tel: 920-4926-30, ext: 5934
Cell: 322-9871
Fax: 920-4944