The Minister of Tourism for Jamaica, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is taking part in the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which is starting from today. Before the opening, he attended a T20 “Meeting of Tourism Ministers” at which he submitted a policy brief on global mainstreaming of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises. For that, he received an overwhelming support.
Bartlett said that while the benefits and positive contributions of the tourism sector are well-documented and widely known, the tourism sector has not maximized its potential fully in order to contribute for sustainable development. This is due to heavy reliance on foreign imports within the sector, high rates of leakage, insufficient linkages with other segments of the economy and the conviction that tourism revenues remain heavily concentrated within the country’s major hotels. He said that he is committed to change this perception by placing greater emphasis on the role of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs) in promoting Jamaica’s tourism growth agenda.
SMTEs contribute to tourism development in Jamaica considerably. Jamaica’s tourism sector is dominated by a vast network of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMTEs) including artisans and craft vendors, attractions and tours, transportation, beauty shops and textiles, duty-free stores, restaurants and eateries, bed and breakfasts, guest houses, farmers and distributors of hotel supplies. This vast network of SMTEs comprise the backbone of the sector, contributing significantly to the authenticity and quality of the tourism experience, enhancing destination competitiveness and contributing to enhanced brand image. The SMTEs also help in building positive local networks and increased productivity.
Tags: Jamaica Tourism
