Jamaica’s Tourism Awareness Week to spotlight sector and green investments

Jamaica’s Tourism Awareness Week (TAW) is set to take place from September 24 to 30 with the World Tourism Day theme: ‘Tourism and Green Investments’.

The week-long observance focuses on the crucial need for investing in three pivotal areas: people, the planet, and prosperity.

Prioritizing earth and its inhabitants

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett shared with JIS News that the heart of this year’s TAW theme is the emphasis on responsible tourism practices. Such practices are essential to ensure the planet’s well-being and the welfare of its people.

He added that earth’s caretakers, humans have a profound duty to protect its rich tapestry of natural, economic, and social resources for the sake of the coming generations.

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister given lifetime achievement award — Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett.

A packed agenda for awareness and action

Minister Barlett shared a slew of activities that underline its commitment to its theme. Among these are:

Daily advertorials spotlighting the Ministry of Tourism’s initiatives that resonate with TAW’s focus.
A church service dedicated to tourism awareness.
Tree-planting drives and handover sessions at Tourism Action Clubs (TAC) dotted across Jamaica.
Engaging Speaker Series aimed at students in TAC schools.
A Youth Forum scheduled on World Tourism Day, September 27.
Visionary symposia and instructive workshops.
Comprehensive tourism stakeholder engagement activities.

Sustainable tourism

The minister further shared that each individual can influence the course of sustainable tourism.

“Whether we are travelers, tourism stakeholders, industry workers or policymakers, we have the power to make a difference. Let us continue to work together to build a more resilient and inclusive tourism industry that not only drives prosperity but also safeguards our environment and empowers our people and their communities,” Minister Bartlett told JIS News.

Reimagining tourism post-pandemic

He further noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a reevaluation of the tourism sector, offering a unique chance to remodel tourism, making it more equitable, sustainable, and resilient.

“The good thing is that Jamaica had a head start, as the fundamental pillars of our tourism growth strategy have always centered around strengthening linkages with other sectors of the economy; increasing the benefits derived from tourism by residents and communities; promoting broader participation by all Jamaicans through training and certification; and ensuring the safety, security and sustainability of the natural and built environments,” he said.