December 13, 2022
Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, has lauded the hard work and efforts of some key Ministries and individuals who have helped the recovery of the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was held last evening at the Jamaica Tourist Board’s annual Golden Tourism Awards, at the AC Hotel in Kingston.
“This is a crowning moment that defines the resilience of our people, who despite the uncertainties and unknown brought on by the pandemic, worked tirelessly to ensure that our borders reopened quickly. By June 2020, Jamaica was opened for business and has never closed. Since then, we were able to earn US 5.7billion and welcome over 5million visitors,” said Minister Bartlett.
Photo caption: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (L), hands John Byles, Executive Deputy Chairman of Chukka Adventures /Deputy Chair of the Jamaica Tourist Board, a special award for his contribution to the establishment and coordination of the resilient corridors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among the Ministry awardees were the Office of the Prime Minister; Ministry of Health and Wellness; Ministry of Finance and Public Service; Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development; Ministry of National Security; and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
“Jamaica continued its though leadership position throughout the pandemic and created innovative strategies to ensure a safe and seamless reopening. We were the first to establish a robust set of health and safety protocols that were acknowledged by the World Travel and Tourism Council. We also created the resilient corridors that had the proper COVID-19 infrastructure to support the movement of visitors and locals alike,” said Minister Bartlett.
Special acknowledgement was made to members of the COVID-19 Taskforce who were responsible for the establishment and coordination of the resilient corridors.
The awardees included Ms. Jennifer Griffith, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism; Dr. the Hon. Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman, Sandals International and Appliance Traders Group; Wayne Cummings – Chief Executive Officer, Arya Resorts Management Limited; John Byles, Executive Deputy Chairman of Chukka Adventures /Deputy Chair of the JTB; Ian Dear, Chairman TPDCo and Chief Executive Officer, Margaritaville Caribbean Group; Mrs. Nicola Madden Greig, Group Director of Marketing and Sales & President, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association; and Mr. Clifton Reader, Former President of the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA).
“Our recovery success is a true show of public private partnership at work, and we are grateful to have received this level of support and collaboration,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism.
Jamaica’s tourism is now at 90% of its pre-pandemic arrival levels and is 20% ahead of its earnings.