KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 24, 2017: Online marketplace and hospitality service Airbnb has committed approximately J$8.3 million (US$64,906.00 )to the Government of Jamaica, towards the staging of the UNWTO, GOJ, World Bank Group Conference on Jobs & Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism.

This makes the mega-technology company the first platinum sponsor for the conference, which is scheduled for November 27-29, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St. James.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett welcomed the sponsorship, sharing that it will strengthen the projected impact the conference will have on the future of Jamaica’s tourism sector.

“This conference will not only be the single biggest international tourism event ever held on local soil but is also going to be one of the most important events that is held in the country’s history. I am so happy to have Airbnb on board and look forward to working with them on a number of different projects which I am certain will benefit the people of Jamaica in the near future,” said Minister Bartlett. Airbnb’s Regional Director for Central America and the Caribbean, Shawn Sullivan, gave the commitment to Minister Bartlett during a meeting at his company’s California headquarters on August 23, 2017.

“Today was an excellent day for Airbnb. It was another step in us solidifying and making more prominent, our relationship with the Government of Jamaica. Airbnb sees Jamaica as a premier destination in the Caribbean and in the world,” said Mr. Sullivan.
Airbnb is a trusted community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book unique accommodations around the world online. It connects people to unique travel experiences, at any price point, in more than 34,000 cities and 191 countries.

The market for Airbnb in Jamaica is rapidly growing and is extremely lucrative. Their web site currently boasts thousands of active hosts and active listings locally. Jamaica also welcomed upwards of 32,000 visitors via Airbnb last year, benefitting many communities across the island, including Trench Town in Kingston, and generating income for many homeowners.

The Minister is currently in California, where he is also expected to engage in strategic meetings with American technology mega-companies Google, LinkedIn Corporation and Uber Technologies Inc. The meetings are in tandem with two of the five strategic pillars of the Ministry – building new products and fostering new partnerships; and will also be used to promote the UNWTO, GOJ, World Bank Group Conference on Jobs & Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism, scheduled for November 27 – 29, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

He is joined by Senior Advisor/ Communication Strategist, Delano Seiveright and Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to Los Angeles, Lorna Mae Johnson. He is expected to return to the island on August 27, 2017.
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Captions
(HMBartlett_Airbnb1) KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 24, 2017: Online hospitality service Airbnb has committed approximately J$8.3 million (US$65 thousand) to the Government of Jamaica towards the staging of the UNWTO, GOJ, World Bank Group Conference on Jobs & Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism, making them the first platinum sponsor for the event. The signing took place at their headquarters in San Francisco, USA, on August 24, 2017. Following the signing, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (seated left) shakes hands with Airbnb’s ‎Head of Global Policy and Communications, Chris Lehane. Sharing in the moment are (from left) Ministry of Tourism’s Senior Advisor/ Communication Strategist, Delano Seiveright; Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to Los Angeles, Lorna Mae Johnson; ‎ Airbnb’s Regional Director of Public Policy for Central America and the Caribbean, Shawn Sullivan; Airbnb’s Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Carlos Muñoz; and Airbnb’s ‎Partnerships Coordinator, Alison Jordan.

(HMBartlett_Airbnb3) KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 24, 2017: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (second right) addresses Airbnb executives during a recent meeting at their headquarters in San Francisco, USA, on August 24, 2017. Sharing in the discussion are (from right) Airbnb’s Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Carlos Muñoz; Airbnb’s Regional Director of Public Policy for Central America and the Caribbean, Shawn Sullivan; Airbnb’s Global Head of Strategic Safety Initiatives, Clark Stevens; Airbnb’s ‎Head of Global Policy and Communications, Chris Lehane; Ministry of Tourism’s Senior Advisor/ Communication Strategist, Delano Seiveright and Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to Los Angeles, Lorna Mae Johnson. During the meeting, Airbnb committed approximately J$8.3 million (US $65 thousand) to the Government of Jamaica, towards the staging of the UNWTO, GOJ, World Bank Group Conference on Jobs & Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism, making them the first platinum sponsor for the event. The conference is scheduled for November 27-29, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St. James.