The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is anticipating that the outcomes of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Global Conference on Jobs and Inclusive growth for Sustainable Tourism, in Jamaica later this month, will provide the data and context that will shape the bank’s future policies in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Therese Turner-Jones, General Manager for the Inter-American Development Bank’s Caribbean Country Department, revealed that following the conference, the IDB expects “to be in a better position to adjust and tailor our technical assistance and development lending services, which will in turn feed into our future corporate sector strategy”.

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Government of Jamaica, World Bank Group and Inter-American Development Bank Global Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism, will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, November 27 to 29, 2017.

The IDB is a conference partner, along with the Government of Jamaica and the World Bank Group.

The IDB General Manager said that Alexandre Meira da Rosa, Vice President for Countries, IDB, will participate in the discussion: Global Overview: Setting the Framework, with President and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Gloria Guevara; Global Director, World Bank Group, Cecile Fruman; and other international presenters.

James Scriven, CEO of the Inter-American Investment Corporation, a member of the IDB Group, will also participate in Plenary 4 session, Technical Assistance to Financing – The Multiple Dimensions of Tourism at MDBs. As a follow up to the conference, next year the IDB will host a Regional Policy dialogue with Caribbean Tourism Ministers.

Ms. Therese Turner-Jones underscored that this conference is a great occasion for the IDB. “Being a UNWTO conference partner also affords us the opportunity to engage with and support a diverse group of primary industry and wider stakeholders in dialogue about challenges, priorities, and strategic actions in the tourism sector”.

The IDB representative pointed out that her organisation is specifically interested in discussions during the conference that will address the identification and development of fiscal incentives for the tourism sector, tourism product development and the growth of natural and cultural public goods that are attractive to tourists.

Ms. Turner-Jones says the IDB will also be focusing on consultations about Tourism promotion and marketing; the development of regional tourism circuits; the fostering of improved linkages and social inclusion at local levels; as well as, the improvement of infrastructure and services for the sector.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Ed Bartlett said that the Montego Bay conference will be 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.

More than 500 international and local participants will be engaged in plenary sessions and workshops on a wide range of subject matters pertinent to tourism during the Montego Bay Conference. Heads of State, Tourism Ministers, Government Officials and representatives from the tourism sector worldwide are expected to attend.