Order of Jamaica for Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Edmund Curtis Bartlett, CD will receive the Order of Jamaica (OJ) award for invaluable contribution to the field of Tourism promoting Human Resource Sustainability & Climate Resilience. He is also being recognised for 40 years of service to the Jamaican government. One of eight to be lauded for their contributions to the country, the Order of Jamaica is ranked fourth in the order of preferences.

“I am truly humbled that my efforts are being honored at this level. My heart and spirit are always with the island and people of Jamaica, and it’s an incredible honor to work alongside our tourism partners in efforts to supply an authentic, vibrant experience for every visitor and support the livelihood of our people. Tourism is one of the largest drivers for our economy, and it has been a tremendous honor to keep Jamaica at the forefront alongside other key players in the industry,” said Minister Bartlett when asked about the importance of such recognition.

RESILIENT

He is also being conferred with an honorary doctorate from the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean for his stellar work in tourism. In a conversation with Caribbean Today, Bartlett emphasized that these awards are not just about his efforts. It is his hope that they will inspire meaningful dialogue about the critical importance of tourism to other industries, and other countries in the region.

“I believe that this recognition will open up more conversation around the impact of tourism on economies and the importance of tourism-dependent countries to leverage the value chain of this great industry. I hope it will be a beacon of hope for individuals and destinations to work towards making tourism more resilient.”

In fact, Jamaica’s tourism industry has always been resilient, bouncing back quickly from natural disasters, Hurricane Beryl being the most recent. He noted that Jamaica welcomed over 200,000 stopover visitors as of mid-August. Indeed, the Ministry of Tourism announced an 11 percent increase in arrivals in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same quarter in 2023. The Ministry is also projecting 5 million visitors by 2025.

It is the warmth and friendly hospitality that exudes from our people that makes all visitors feel right at home, said Bartlett, adding, “I believe this is the true focal point of our resiliency and why visitors come back year after year.”

Importantly, the Minister emphasised that Jamaica’s tourism is successful because all the sectors play an important role in ensuring that the Jamaican experience is a positive one, which plays a role in strengthening the economy.

“Today, it is currently one of our fastest growing industries, and it’s no surprise why,” Bartlett commented. “With a variety of nonstop flights from most major global cities, our sunny skies and beautiful beaches, variety of resorts and villas, and vibrant cultural experiences found through food, art and music make for a seamless, relaxing and memorable experience for travellers.”

LINKAGES

But, how does all this translate to the local population? How are they benefitting from the industry? The Minister stated that great efforts are being made to make sure that there is community and personal skills development from this industry.

He explained that the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation (JCTI) promotes training and certification for all tourism workers as well as high school and university students interested in the industry. As well, the programme encourages innovation and highlights many jobs that are outside of the usual, to stimulate the interest of workers and students.

“Tourism is so much more than serving, and is interconnected with many other crucial sectors to which our people can contribute significantly.”

Driving this home, Minister Bartlett has been a major force in the Tourism Linkages Network, a department under the Tourism Enhancement Fund and an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, which has been working to coordinate sector-wide cooperation to maximise the benefits for local communities.

“It increases our linkages with other important sectors like sports and entertainment, agriculture, health and wellness, shopping, and knowledge. The primary objective of the Tourism Linkages Network is to increase the consumption of goods and services that can be sourced locally. It also aims to create employment while generating and retaining the country’s foreign exchange earning potential,” the Minister explained.

Tirelessly working toward the advancement of education in the industry, offering opportunities for upgraded skills and job creation, Minister Bartlett has been a longtime champion of economic growth through sector cooperation, with tourism being his passion. He lives it, he breathes it. And when he finds the time to rest and rejuvenate, where does he go… to Jamaica’s tourism capital, Montego Bay!