Ministers Speeches

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Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett

Mr. Speaker, permit me to begin my presentation this afternoon by first expressing my congratulations to you on being appointed Speaker. We benefit from your skill, leadership and astute understanding of our process, our personalities and our objectives.

I also want to express my gratitude to the people of Jamaica for their confidence in our team and to the Honourable Prime Minister for allowing me to serve my country in the capacity of Minister of Tourism.

I wish to also thank my Cabinet colleagues for their support. I especially want to thank those Ministries with which I collaborate on issues which impact tourism. I thank you for your kind support and willingness to create synergies for the benefit of Jamaica, land we love.

I want to thank the sector for the wellspring of goodwill and confidence they have reposed in me and my team and to affirm our commitment to live up to your expectations.

I also wish to commend my Permanent Secretary Mrs. Jennifer Griffith, Director General Ms. Carrole Guntley, and the diligent team of directors and staff throughout the Ministry and its agencies.

Let me acknowledge and thank the team of men and women who are leading the agencies. They are the Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board and Jamaica Vacations, Mr. John Lynch; the Chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Mr. Godfrey Dyer; the Chairman of the Tourism Product Development Company, Mr. Robert Russell; the Chairman of the Milk River Bath Hotel & Spa, Dr. Edward Wright, the Chairman of the Bath Corporation , Mr. Derrick Hamilton; the Chairman of the Devon House Development Company the Hon. Mrs. Carla Seaga and the Chairman of the River Rafting Authority, Dr. Carolyn Hayle.

I pay tribute to the Opposition and express my appreciation for the work that has preceded me. I value your support as we seek to grow this vital industry.

I must also place on record the support of my immediate family: my wife Carmen, my son and my brothers, who have been there for me while I have been out in the field, leading my team in my role as Chief Salesman for Jamaica.

Most notably, I thank my constituents, the people of East Central St. James, without whose support I would not have the honour of serving.

And above all, I thank God for giving me sustenance and strength.

Mr. Speaker, I crave your indulgence for a few moments to address the people of Jamaica.

LETTER TO THE PEOPLE

My Fellow Jamaicans,
We stand on the threshold of a new tourism, which has at its centre inclusiveness and partnership. By inclusiveness I mean that the new tourism offers each and every one of us a chance to benefit from this great industry; by partnerships, we mean that we are intent on inviting all the stakeholders to partner with us to make this industry deliver more for the country and the people of Jamaica.

At the Ministry of Tourism, my colleagues and I are mapping out a course of action which has you, the people of Jamaica, at the centre of our thinking, and at the centre of our decision making. The new tourism cannot be otherwise.

As tourism is the driving force of our economy, the growth and success of our industry is one of the most powerful factors in shaping the quality of life for every one of us, regardless of the work we do or the industry that provides our pay cheque at the end of each week or month. In the new tourism, each of us has a chance to use this powerful force to build a secure future for ourselves and for our children.

While Jamaica is known around the planet for contributing such amazing things to the world as our heady Blue Mountain Coffee, our fine Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum, the dramatic Dunns River Falls and our inspirational reggae festivals, the most wonderful thing we give to the world is you, the people of Jamaica.

As the captain of this vessel which contains the most precious cargo - Jamaica's tourism, I need all hands on deck - all of you, to ensure our safe arrival in that harbour of growth and prosperity.

I look forward to meeting you in your communities around Jamaica, as we transform our country into the premier tourism destination. And then the world will fully understand what we mean when we say, "Jamaica, Once you go, you know".

Sincerely,

Edmund Bartlett, M.P.
Minister of Tourism

SITUATION ANALYSIS

Mr. Speaker, the lure of world travel is irresistible. Travel is fun, adventurous, educational and inspirational. More and more people are travelling despite the challenges of long lines, increased security and issues of insecurity around the world.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), tourism is the world's leading business, worth more that 8 trillion US dollars in 2008 and increasing to 15 trillion US dollars by 2015. We aim to secure our slice of that business for Jamaica.

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