Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett (centre) with (from left) Deputy Director of Tourism, Americas Philip Rose, Acting Chief Consulate General of Jamaica in New York Ariel Bowen, Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations Brian Wallace, and District Sales Manager-Northeast USA Victoria Harper at a special reception for the JTB’s travel specialists.
KINGSTON, Jamaica--Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has expressed heartfelt appreciation to the island’s travel specialists for their outstanding efforts in driving tourism recovery following Hurricane Melissa. According to a press release from the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), through their dedication and tireless work, travel agents have secured more than 23,000 room nights valued at approximately US $8 million, marking a significant milestone in the destination’s return to normalcy.
Speaking to over 100 travel specialists at a reception in New York earlier this month, Minister Bartlett said, “Without you, tourism couldn’t happen. You represent a huge part of tourism, and even though you are away from Jamaica, your work is essential. In the face of unprecedented challenges brought by Hurricane Melissa, you have worked tirelessly to restore confidence in our destination and deliver results that exceed our most optimistic projections.”
The minister emphasised the profound multiplier effect of tourism, noting that it takes at least 175 economic and social activities to satisfy one tourist. “The 23,000 room nights you’ve secured represent not just numbers on a page, but livelihoods restored and businesses revitalised,” the minister stated. “Each tourist engages over 175 skill sets and touch points – from airport operations to hotel services, from transportation to attractions – and at each point, income flows to Jamaicans.”
The $8 million in secured bookings represents a critical injection of revenue into the local economy, supporting the countless tourism-dependent businesses and workers impacted by the hurricane.
“Many times, we overlook the true contribution of tourism. While tourism may appear as 10% of [gross domestic product – Ed.] GDP in statistics, it really represents 34% or more of our economic activity. Tourism is not a definable economic activity – it is a confluence of many economic and social activities that secure the well-being of Jamaica and Jamaicans.”
The minister explained that travel agents play an indispensable role in this ecosystem, “It starts when the idea is born that someone wants to travel. Without you making that one tourist come to Jamaica, none of the economic multiplication happens. You are the catalyst for everything that follows.”
The JTB has been working closely with travel agents through familiarisation trips, regular updates on infrastructure restoration, and collaborative marketing initiatives to support their sales efforts.
“This milestone of 23,000 room nights is just the beginning,” the minister added. “With continued collaboration and your unwavering commitment, I am confident that our tourism sector will not only recover but emerge stronger than ever before. My thanks to you is about that one tourist that you made come to Jamaica – so that over 175 skill sets and social and economic touch points could be engaged, and at each point money flows into our economy.”
