The hosting of the inaugural United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Global Conference on Tourism Development and Sustainability, in Jamaica this November, takes place at a time when tourism around the globe is outperforming growth recorded in the financial and business services, manufacturing, public services, retail and distribution, as well as, transport sectors.

“The conference will address the imbalance in the global funding of tourism activities and development,” Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, stated. “And, given the powerhouse impact that tourism is having on the world economy, there is a disproportionate flow of funding and financing, and this is happening, although 80 percent of tourism is driven by small and medium countries.”

He pointed to statistics from the World Travel & Tourism Council, which indicate that the sector generated US$7.6 trillion, approximately 10.2% of global GDP; and 292 million jobs in 2016, equivalent to one in 10 jobs in the global economy. And, travel and tourism accounted for 6.6% of total global exports and almost 30% of total global service exports.

In addition, locally the travel and tourism industry generated $4.5 billion to GDP last year. This represents 30% of Jamaica’s GDP, which is larger than the impact of every other sector on the Jamaican economy; and twice the size of the contribution made by the Jamaican banking industry.

The Tourism Minister noted that it was the first time in the history of the UNWTO that the private and

public sectors will be working together, in collaboration with multi-lateral financial institutions, to stage an event of this nature.

The World Bank Group and donor countries, through their specific investment agencies, will participate in panel discussions that will explore various areas of sustainability; and, how projects and financing can be generated for small and medium players in the global tourism sector.

“This event is also of historical importance, because it signals the first time that the UNWTO will stage a world conference on tourism in the Caribbean or Americas,” Minister Bartlett said.

The planning, creative and communication entities of The Jamaica National Group, a Jamaican mutually-owned global business, will provide management and execution services for mounting of the conference.

The conference will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St. James, from November 27 to 29, 2017; and, it is projected that close to a thousand delegates from 157 countries will attend.

ABOUT THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

The Ministry of Tourism is responsible for the management and promotion of Jamaica’s tourism product. The Ministry has adopted the “New Tourism” approach to its long-term vision, which will create a government entity that is more adaptable to the ever-changing environment facing world tourism. At the core of this concept is a coherent partnership between public and private sectors; and the Jamaican people, to ensure benefits for large and small industry stakeholders. The Ministry is leading the charge to strengthen the linkages between tourism and other sectors, such as: agriculture, manufacturing and entertainment. It will encourage Jamaicans to play their role in: improving our tourism product; and sustaining investment; as well as, modernizing and diversifying the sector, to foster growth and job creation for our fellow Jamaicans.

ABOUT THE JN GROUP

The story of the JN Group began in 1874s with the genesis of the pioneering organisation that was later to become Jamaica National Building Society, JNBS. Committed to its code of “mutuality,” its mission is to improve the financial strength of its membership. Propelled by insightful leadership, mergers and acquisitions, The JN Group has evolved to meet the diverse and growing needs of Jamaicans locally and throughout the Diaspora. Today, the JN Group serves with excellence. Each company operates in accordance with the regulations of its region and industry. All companies offer a variety of innovative, high value products and services; and are numbered among the most successful in their respective sectors.

ABOUT UNITED NATIONS WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION

The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. As the leading international organisation in the field of tourism, UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability; and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide. UNWTO generates market knowledge, promotes competitive and sustainable tourism policies and instruments, fosters tourism education and training, and works to make tourism an effective tool for development through technical assistance projects in more than 100 countries around the world. UNWTO’s membership includes 157 countries; 6 Associate Members; and 500 Affiliate Members, representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.

Contact: Ms. Jennifer Grant, Communication Consultant
The Jamaica National Group – Tel:( 876) 322-1381 – email: [email protected]