KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett says that public-private partnerships (PPPs) will have to play a key role in Jamaica’s tourism growth strategy.

“Given our government’s policy to make the private sector the engine of growth, it is critical for the tourism ministry and its support agencies to pursue PPP arrangements that ultimately redound to Jamaica’s benefit. It is an ultimate win-win situation”, Bartlett said.

He made the statement during a courtesy call on him by Managing Director of Red Stripe Ricardo Nuncio on Wednesday. Nuncio spoke with Bartlett about Desnoes & Geddes’ planned investments in its operations over coming years, including the return of the production of Red Stripe to Jamaica and the prospects for partnership with the ministry.

Nuncio noted that Red Stripe will be expanding further into specific international markets, which include key source markets in which the tourism ministry is actively involved.

“The potential for partnership in promotions for Brand Jamaica and Red Stripe looms large and makes an excellent opportunity that we can’t ignore,” Bartlett said. “Tourism will undoubtedly be the largest contributor to the growth agenda and, as such, no effort should be spared in promulgating initiatives that would drive increased tourist traffic and increased revenues,” he added.    

Balford Henry