Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism signs contract with the Jamaica National Group to manage logistics for the UNWTO conference this November

Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett and Mr. Earl Jarrett, chief executive officer of The Jamaica National Group (JN Group) yesterday, July 26, 2017, signed an agreement under which the JN Group will provide planning, management and execution services for mounting of the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development Conference, from November 27 to 29 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St. James.

Minister Bartlett was speaking at the signing ceremony, during the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference, at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston. The Tourism Minister said that this is 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 event is also of great historical importance because it signals the first time that the UNWTO will stage a world conference on tourism in the Caribbean or Americas.

“The conference in November will address an imbalance in the global funding of tourism activities and development,” Minister Bartlett underlined. “Despite 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.”

The World Bank Group and donor countries, through their specific investment arms, are participating in the conference through panels 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.
The Minister said the main outcome of the conference will be the Declaration of Montego Bay, which will inform the next millennial goals of the United Nations and form the basis of the next major publication of the UNWTO’s Sustainable Development strategies.

He congratulated The JN Group for the role that it has played in the growth and development of the Jamaican economy and acknowledged that the company will be responsible for managing the logistics of the conference.

Earl Jarrett said his company decided to undertake this project because JN is vested in the development of Jamaica. “The JN Group comprises 30 companies, one of which is the MCS Group, and our team of professionals has the experience, knowledge and skills to deliver a successful conference. We are proud to have been selected by the Ministry and are confident that our team will be equal to the task.”

Managing Director of the MCS Group, Ms Onika Miller, noted, “We welcome the opportunity to participate in this public-private sector partnership, working with the Ministry of Tourism and other government and tourism partners, who are serving on the many conference planning committees. Strong partnerships such as this can help our nation to meet growth targets and national development goals”. She pointed out that the JN team will be responsible for project and event management, communication, branding and coordination of volunteers.

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 JAMAICA NATIONAL GROUP
The story of The Jamaica National Group began in 1874 with the genesis of the pioneering organization 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; six Associate Members; and 500 Affiliate Members, representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.

IMAGES:

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Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett (left), exchanges a signed contract with Earl Jarrett, Chief Executive Officer, The Jamaica National Group, following a signing for the UNWTO, Government of Jamaica, World Bank Group Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Development. The conference is slated for Montego Bay for November 27-29. The Jamaica National Group will be providing services, including communication, project management, volunteer coordination, event planning and branding services to support the execution of the conference. Second from left is Jennifer Griffith, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Onika Miller, Managing Director, MCS Group, the non-financial arm of The Jamaica National Group. The signing took place at the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference, July 26 at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.

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Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett (left), signs a contract with Earl Jarrett, Chief Executive Officer, which will see The Jamaica National Group providing services, including communication, project management, volunteer coordination, event planning and branding services to support the execution of the UNWTO, Government of Jamaica, World Bank Group conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Development. The conference is slated for Montego Bay for November 27-29. Witnessing the signing is Jennifer Griffith, Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Tourism. The signing took place at the Jamaica 55 Diaspora Conference, July 26 at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.