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Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett has painted a bright picture for Jamaica’s tourism industry

NEW YORK (JIS) – Tuesday, October 16, 2007 – Unveiling a 3 year master plan for sustainable tourism development in front of a well attended luncheon meting of the membership of the Jamaican American Chamber of Commerce at the 3 West Club, in midtown Manhattan on Tuesday afternoon, October 16, an upbeat Minister Bartlett said that he was reasonably optimistic about improved targets in stop over and cruise passenger arrivals, a near 50% increase in revenue from cruise passengers by the year 2010.

The Minister said that it was no idle pipe dream but the conclusion from very careful discussions with a wide cross section of stakeholders in the hospitality industry including the Jamaican Diaspora as clients and ambassadors.

“This is a large part of why we are here today, to do the team talk with Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica. You are the ones who know that Jamaica is the greatest little country on earth. You need to know how the brand grows, as we deliver on our promises to conquer new frontiers in tourism.”

Such a master plan, Minister Bartlett said would be constructed on the M-E-C-C-A principle, embracing an aggressive strategic marketing initiative to take the fullest advantage of the comparative and competitive edge, environmentally sensitive planning to avoid degradation of the natural product, cultural and heritage based attractions, community based development and an all- inclusive concept for income generation and wealth sharing.

Minister Bartlett said that each of the island’s six resort areas will soon be undergoing some design make over for a clear demonstration of its personality including enhanced security features using a mobile police station, thanks to the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF).

A hospitality college to train all levels of the work force is also part of the master plan, the Minister said.

Minister Bartlett noted that the new tourism Development Plan will not just put Jamaicans to work but will allow many of them to create their own jobs. And he warned that much of the success of the plan will depend on the collaboration with the culture and agriculture sectors and to a lesser extent, industry and commerce.

Declaring that Jamaica was again open for business, Minister Bartlett invited support and participation in the development plans, noting that, “there is a new wave of enthusiasm at home, signaled by the warm reception to our plans and the demonstrated dedication of our partners in the process.Minister Bartlett who will be in New York through Thursday morning, was accompanied by Basil Smith, Director of Tourism, Carole Guntley, Director General of the Tourism Ministry and Tony King, Regional Director-Tour Operators & Airlines, JTB/NY