THE world’s leading travel and tourism stakeholders, World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), is to collaborate with the Jamaican Government in the staging of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO)/World Bank Group Conference in Montego Bay in November.

During his recent trip to London, Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett met with the WTTC’s Senior Vice-President of Government and Industry Affairs Helen Marano, who expressed strong collaborative support for the historic conference being held in Jamaica.

This is in tandem with widening global support for the conference, including from the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank

“While it was important for me to ensure that Brand Jamaica was aggressively marketed in London during the IAAF World Championships, it was equally vital for me to meet with industry stakeholders to promote our upcoming conference and forge key partnerships that, I am certain, will benefit the people of Jamaica,” Bartlett told the Jamaica Observer recently.

The WTTC is an international organisation that brings together all major travel and tourism stakeholders, including presidents, chairs and CEOs of more than 150 of the world’s foremost companies spanning hotels, airlines, airports, tour operators, cruise, car rental, travel agents, rail, and the emergent sharing economy.

“I am proud of the strong partnership we have had with the WTTC in particular over the years. They are the movers and shakers in the travel and tourism industry, and I am positive that when the details of this collaboration are finalised it will strengthen Jamaica’s presence as a tourism powerhouse on the global stage,” Bartlett added.

According to the tourism minister, one of the key outcomes expected from the global conference is the Montego Bay Declaration.

“At the end of the conference there will be the compilation of the Draft Montego Bay Declaration. From this will flow an action plan for tourism destinations to follow, as well as the publication of the second volume of the UNWTO Global Report on Public/Private Partnerships,” he explained.

The tourism minister also announced that the conference would be used to pay tribute to current UNWTO Secretary General Dr Taleb Rifai, whose tenure ends this year.

“Although he will have his formal send-off in December, the UNWTO has allowed us to utilise this opportunity for the more emotional and ‘irie’ send-off,” Bartlett stated.

Another feature of the conference will be the presentation of the Caribbean Legends Awards, the first of its kind, which will be a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Tourism of Jamaica, the Caribbean Tourism Organization, and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, supported by UNWTO.

These awards in the categories of land, sea and air will be given to individuals who have made an indelible mark on the tourism industry, not just regionally, but globally, enhancing the Caribbean brand.

November’s global conference will also seek to identify successful models and future partnership initiatives that will contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the publication of the second UNWTO Affiliate Members Global Report on Public/Private Partnerships.

— Balford Henry