Jamaica, known for its radiant beaches and rich culture, has set its sights on drawing an increased number of Canadian tourists. Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, joined by his tourism team, has embarked on a five-day marketing endeavor in Toronto, one of Canada’s most vibrant cities. Their mission is to increase visitor count from the current 300,000 to a remarkable 500,000 by 2025.
Building strategic partnerships
Understanding the vitality of Canada as Jamaica’s second-largest tourist market, Minister Bartlett aims to revisit the high-water mark set in 2010, when 400,000 Canadian tourists graced the Jamaican shores.
To achieve this, Bartlett shared that the team is setting up discussions with major airlines such as Air Canada, WestJet, and Canada Jetlines, to enhance the frequency of flights from Canada.
Furthermore, following the recent JAPEX event in Montego Bay, Minister Bartlett continues his Canadian expedition by engaging with the academia at McMaster University and immersing himself in the richness of the Miss Lou Archives.
This aligns with his vision to tap into the potential of the Asian market, with a particular focus on countries like India and China.
More on Jamaica’s tourism
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- Jamaica tourism arrivals for October surpass pre-pandemic levels
- Jamaica’s minister of tourism announces one million visitor arrivals to date for 2023
A pivot towards the Asian market
As a testament to Jamaica’s commitment to broadening its tourist base, Minister Bartlett is set to be the keynote speaker at an exclusive event by Mandarin Holidays.
This event, which boasts the attendance of over 100 Chinese travel agents, aims to introduce the Caribbean allure of Jamaica to the vast Asian market.
Amplifying Jamaica’s appeal
Beyond meeting airline executives, Minister Bartlett’s packed itinerary includes interactions with travel agents, tour operators, and multiple media houses.
By reaching out to print, television, and radio mediums, he aspires to engrain Jamaica as the top travel choice for Canadians.
Global recognition awaits
Upon wrapping up his Canadian tour, Minister Bartlett will jet off to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to partake in the World Tourism Day 2023 celebrations on September 27.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) event, themed “Tourism and Green Investments”, recognizes the pressing need to invest holistically – in people, the environment, and prosperity.
Jamaica, under Minister Bartlett’s leadership, seeks to mirror this global focus.
In fact, the nation’s Tourism Awareness Week 2023 will echo the UNWTO’s theme, showcasing Jamaica as a paragon of resilience and sustainable, people-centric investments.
