Perspective: Minister Bartlett to Meet With Investors in Spain

January 13, 2017January 17, 2017 News Room

Tourism Minister to Attend Important UNWTO Meetings

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 13, 2017: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett will travel to Madrid, Spain tomorrow (January 14, 2017) to participate in several important engagements with strategic tourism partners, including major Spanish investors and attend key meetings of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Minister Bartlett, who also chairs the Board of Affiliate Members of the UNWTO, is expected to meet with his colleagues at the UNTWO before signing an important agreement for Jamaica to host a major UNWTO Conference to mark the 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. The event is the first of its kind as it will involve both arms of the UNWTO – the private sector and public sector – coming together to put on a global event.

“We are very excited that Jamaica has been selected to host such a prestigious event. It will see the coming together of some 157 tourism ministers from around the world as well as the participation of some 500 companies that are involved in tourism services,” said Minister Bartlett.

While in Madrid, the Minister will also meet with Spanish investors who are set to make a major announcement about a new property to be built in Trelawny.

“One of the five pillars of our growth strategy is securing new investments, so we are actively seeking to attract more and more investments to improve Jamaica’s tourism product. So I am very eager to meet with them to have in-depth discussions about the property,” he said.

The Minister will then attend FITUR, which is largest International Tourism Trade Fair for inbound and outbound Ibero American markets. There, he will have an opportunity to meet tourism suppliers and industry leaders from around the world to exchange ideas and best practices.

Minister Bartlett is scheduled to return to the island on January 21, 2017.

Commentary

It is no secret that the introduction of new players in the tourism sector, like the Spanish who have made our product more diversified. The Spanish hotels are uniquely designed and consumer friendly. The food is said to be well liked by tourists.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett must be commended for his focus on the growth of Tourism and related product and services.

Personally, I like the Spanish language, as it sounds rhythmic and i studied the language at school. New markets are opened and this brings a new type of visitor to Jamaica. Jamaica was once a Spanish colony, so a number of the places do have Spanish names … for example Rio Cobre, Ocho Rios, Sligoville, to name a few. Spanish Town got its name because we were once conquered by the Spanish in 1492.

Jamaica is a very historic and charming country to invest in.

It is therefore not surprising that the Spanish is attracted to Jamaica. They see some of their building designs, for example in the Spanish Town square, the former Capital of Jamaica founded 1534. The Spanish King and Queen visited Spanish Town and seemed proud to do so … they even donated a new ward to Spanish Town Hospital.

Investors like historic places to invest their hard earned cash.

We wish Minister Bartlett a successful trip to Spain.

Commentary by Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie who is senior international correspondent & Photojournalist for vision newspaper.