KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica is being represented at the 45th staging of the International Tourism Fair (FITUR), which gets underway in Spain on Wednesday.
Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, the five day event described as one of the world’s leading travel and tourism tradeshows and provides a crucial platform for international tourism stakeholders to showcase their offerings, foster new business relationships, and explore future opportunities.
FITUR is known as the leading tradeshow for inbound and outbound markets in Ibero-America, including premier destinations in the Americas, attracting industry professionals, government representatives, and international media.
Bartlett said Jamaica’s participation will mark the beginning of the Ministry’s strategy for 2025, a year poised to witness continued growth and innovation in the sector.
Under the theme “Thrive in 2025,” Bartlett said the sector’s ambitious targets are to welcome five million visitors and generate five billion US dollars in earnings, further solidifying Jamaica’s position as a top-tier destination in the global tourism landscape.
“We are proud of Jamaica’s strong performance in 2024, achieving some 4.2 million arrivals and earning US$4.3 billion in tourism revenue, despite numerous challenges,” said Bartlett. “As we move into 2025, our focus will be on maintaining this momentum, with an eye on hitting the five million mark for arrivals and reaching five billion US dollars in earnings. FITUR is the perfect setting to position Jamaica for a successful year ahead, fostering partnerships that will help us reach our goals,” he added.
Bartlett said that he will engage in several high-level engagements aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s relationships with key international stakeholders, while in Spain and will participate in the official FITUR opening ceremony on Wednesday that will also be attended by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain.
He will also participate in an anniversary event hosted by UN Tourism before returning to Jamaica on Sunday.