KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett departed the island yesterday to attend ITB Berlin, a tourism tradeshow in the world in Germany.

The ministry said in a release this afternoon that it is the largest tourism tradeshow in the world and Bartlett will seek to promote Jamaica as a destination and encourage investment in the country’s tourism industry while there.

Bartlett was quoted as saying “ITB Berlin will provide an excellent environment to network with some of the industry’s leading travel and tourism influencers across the globe. It will be the perfect opportunity to market brand Jamaica so that we can continue our mission to boost our arrivals and tourism earnings while also encouraging investment in the destination”.

The tradeshow, which runs from March 8-12, showcases hotels, tourist boards, tour operators, airlines among other aspects of the travel industry.

While in Germany, the ministry said Bartlett will also attend the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) from March 6 – 11. 

“ITB Berlin and IHIF are the perfect platforms for us to promote our Shovel-Ready initiative, which allows investors to easily get the support they need to build properties in our accommodations and attractions sub-sectors. If successful, the investments will not only be a tool for generating new capital and jobs, but also a tool for marketing Jamaica, because wherever you have new investments the visitors will follow,” the minister reportedly said.

He will then visit the United States, to attend the Seatrade Cruise Global Conference in Fort Lauderdale on March 14 before returning on March 15. He is being accompanied by senior advisor and communications strategist at the Tourism Enhancement Fund Delano Seiveright, Director of Tourism, Paul Pennicook, and Deputy Director of Tourism – Marketing, Marcia McLaughlin.