Inclusive, responsible, profitable travel industry heralded

Jobs and inclusive growth target for destinations

Inclusive, responsible, profitable travel industry heralded

Jobs and inclusive growth target for destinations

The Montego Bay Declaration on, "Jobs and Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism," was announced by Jamaica’s Tourism Minister the Hon. Ed Bartlett and Carlos Vogeler, UNWTO Executive Director, at the final session of the recent UNWTO Global Conference.

The UNWTO, Government of Jamaica, World Bank Group and Inter-American Development Bank Global Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism, held at the Montego bay Convention Centre from November 27-29, was one of the largest conferences ever held by the UNWTO, with 1497 registered delegates.

The conference brought together the highest level of public and private partnerships in the world, with heads of Government, Secretary Generals, major multi-lateral entities, private sector associations, academia and media.

The International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development (IYSTD), aims to raise awareness globally, about the contribution of sustainable tourism to development; and encourages the UN system; as well as other stakeholders, to support sustainable tourism at all levels, while mobilising stakeholders to work together in making tourism a catalyst for positive change.

"The Multi-Destination Memorandum of Understanding signed between Jamaica and the Dominican Republic during the conference will help to finalise our efforts towards regional tourism integration," Minister Bartlett noted. The approach has already been agreed by the Cuban Government, with Mexico due to sign in January 2018.

"This will bring together four of the biggest tourism players in the region", stated the Tourism Minister, "working together to foster and harmonize legislation on air connectivity, visa facilitation, product development, promotion and human capital."

Another key recommendation outlined in the Montego Bay Declaration recommends that Governments, the private sector, donors and international and regional organisations support the establishment of a Global Tourism Resilience Centre in the Caribbean. This will include a Sustainable Tourism Observatory, which will assist preparedness, management and recovery of crises which impact tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods.

Dr. Taleb Rifai, former Secretary-General of the UNWTO, indicated that the travel industry must become more inclusive and responsible. He said a shift in mindset is needed.

Minister Bartlett called for governments and other relevant stakeholders to create an enabling environment for the private sector and provide incentives for businesses, placing the Sustainable Development Goals at the centre of their tourism policies, strategies, initiatives, projects and research."

Valere Tjolle