Connect with us

WalkboutLIFE

Jamaica Targeting Japan And India As The Country Continues To Expand Its Source Markets For Tourists.

Published

on

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, made the disclosure at a media briefing at the Ministry’s offices in New Kingston last week.
He noted that Japan was a very good market for Jamaica over 20 years ago, before varying factors affecting the Asian nation, including economic issues, resulted in a downturn in arrivals from that country.

But the Japanese economy rebounded and they are doing extremely well as their outbound market is over 20 million travellers and their appetite for Jamaica and the Caribbean is returning, he said.

The Minister said that Jamaica has forged flight arrangements out of Japan with United States-based Delta airlines, which has co-sharing connections with air carriers in Japan. American Airlines, he added, has similar arrangements.

Mr. Bartlett said that the Japanese market is lucrative, with the length of stay of the Japanese visitor being about twice that of tourists from the United States.

The average visitor spend, now, is somewhere in the region of US$125 and he expects that for the Japanese, it perhaps would be closer to US$200 and so he would be expecting a higher level of spend from the Japanese visitor.

In relation to India, Mr. Bartlett pointed out that in addition to the Asian nation being regarded as the fastest growing economy globally, it boasts, arguably, the best wedding market in the world.

Indian weddings are the envy of every destination because they are large and high-spending.

He pointed out that one of the good things about the Indians is that they are very family-oriented. so when there is a wedding, everybody comes for a long period of time and so you end up with a very large and reliable flow from that market.

Mr. Bartlett said Jamaica is seeking to tap into that market, noting that work has already started, partnering with some of the tour operators and travel agents there.

Adding that hopefully, come April next year, Jamaica will be able to participate in a mega event that is happening in India where, hopefully, they will be able to announce air and other connections that will start the flow of Indian tourists into Jamaica.

Business Events

Hundreds of Buyer Companies and Delegates Expected at CHTA Travel Marketplace

Published

on

More than 150 buyer companies and 1,000 delegates are expected to convene in Montego Bay for the 42nd staging of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace from May 20 to 23.

Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday (March 14), at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) in New Kingston, President, CHTA, Nicola Madden-Greig, said a special effort is being made to bring more new buyer delegates to participate in the event.

“We have expanded to target buyers from Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia,” said Mrs. Madden-Greig.

“We will also have for the first time a complete stand-alone MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) itinerary with 20 meeting planners attending the first ever CHTA Caribbean MICE exchange,” she added.

The CHTA President pointed out that the MICE market has “tremendous potential” for the region, with more than US$900 billion generated worldwide in 2023.

It is expected to double that revenue by 2032.

Mrs. Madden-Greig also indicated that 50 regional and international media representatives are expected on the island to engage with Caribbean delegates and “share the news of the richness and diversity of our region”.

The 42nd CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace will feature three components – the Business of Tourism (The Caribbean Travel Forum on May 20), the Marketing of Tourism (CHTA Travel Marketplace May 21-22) and the Community of Tourism (Responsible Tourism Day on May 23).

Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, said that the CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace is “a great moment of anticipation”.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett,

“It is not an event in the context of a singular activity, but it is a great opportunity for us as a Caribbean people, not just to showcase the strength and power of our assets but also provide leadership with innovation,” he added.

The Minister said that he is excited about the various components of the CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace.

“The region is ready to take a new perspective on itself in this post-COVID era, to grow tourism to another level and the three key points that [Mrs. Madden-Greig] dealt with, tourism and business, tourism and marketing, but responsible tourism is perhaps at the heart of the innovation that we speak about,” said Minister Bartlett.

Caribbean Travel Marketplace affords tourism suppliers the opportunity to meet face to face with wholesalers from around the world selling Caribbean vacation travel.

The main objective is for suppliers and buyers to conduct negotiations that benefit the region.

Only CHTA members can attend the event.

Continue Reading

Agriculture

Jamaica Well Positioned to Capture Share of Ethnic Food Market

Published

on

With the global ethnic food market expected to reach US$131.67 billion by 2030, Jamaica is well positioned to capture a share, thanks to the emergence of new trends at the HEART College of Hospitality Services (HCHS), at Runaway Bay in St. Ann.

This was noted by Managing Director of the HEART/NSTA Trust, Dr. Taneisha Ingleton, at the College’s Centre of Excellence Culinary Arts & Gastronomy Symposium and Open House, held on Wednesday, March 13.

To ensure that Jamaica is perfectly poised, Dr. Ingleton informed that the Trust has taken on the challenge of developing and implementing a Centre of Excellence in Culinary Arts and Gastronomy.

Its primary focus will be to develop, implement, and promulgate knowledge, best practices and skills in the art and science of preparing and serving food.

Referencing the 2023 report by Fortune Business Insights, Dr. Ingleton pointed out that persons, including future chefs, innovators and food enthusiasts, are being trained to tap into the market.

“We’re witnessing the birth of new trends at the HCHS. We’re witnessing new flavour profiles that will tantalise taste buds around the world and we are seeing incredible work happening in the research labs where local organic ingredients are being identified and celebrated,” she added.

The Managing Director further recognised the HCHS and the Cardiff Hotel and Spa, also at Runaway Bay, as two important pillars in Jamaica’s gastronomical and hotel experience.

“This college (HCHS) is the very best. I’ve done the analysis and I have not overanalysed. [It] is performing at the very highest level in the HEART/NSTA Trust [when we talk about] the quality of the training experience and the product that we continue to give to Jamaica,” she said.

“The team has been operating in purpose, and it is only when we operate in purpose that we get to a place like this and our fullest potential is activated,” Dr. Ingleton said.

As for the Cardiff Hotel and Spa, the Managing Director mentioned that its impact goes beyond just awards and certification.

“As a formidable diamond within HEART, the institution supplies over 1,000 graduates each year, with an impressive employment rate of 85 per cent in recent times,” she said.

Of importance, both the HCHS and the Cardiff Hotel have been placed ahead of many in the hospitality industry, having received the 2022 Green Global Gold Advanced Certification Award, given to hotels and resorts that demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices and environmental responsibility.

This is in addition to receiving the Caribbean Sustainability Award for businesses in the Caribbean region that have made significant contributions to sustainable development in 2005.

“This is a testimony of [their] commitment to responsible tourism, so we are thinking big picture. We’ve moved beyond food and hotel experience to contributing to the global economy,” Dr. Ingleton pointed out.

As the Cardiff Hotel and Spa and the HCHS continue to represent true champions of sustainable tourism and excellence in hospitality, provide top-quality education, and contribute to Jamaica’s economic development in a changing culinary landscape, trainees were encouraged to draw on the inspiration of those who came before them.

“Let our dishes evoke memories, stir emotions, unite us and leave an indelible mark. Let Jamaican ingredients be our foundation. Let creativity be our brush [as we] paint the world with vibrant flavours of Jamaica, but most importantly, never forget the stories that these dishes tell and the cultural tapestry that comes with every bite,” Dr. Ingleton said.

By: SHERIKA HALL JIS, March 15, 2024

Photo JIS

Continue Reading

Technology

The Silicon Mountain Project Partners With Walkbout Caribbean To Help And Empower MSME Tourism Entrepreneurs

Published

on

Travel, tours, experience and accommodation entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to gain access to critical resources through the recently established partnership between the Silicon Mountain Project and Walkbout Caribbean’s “Walkbout Ignite Programme” designed to help and empower tourism entrepreneurs maximise their presence on the walkbout.com platform.

The Walkbout Ignite Programme brings together industry leaders and experts to support tourism related entrepreneurs and related groups, empowering them to grow their businesses. Running year round, the Programme includes the launch and promotion of participants’ products and services on the Walkbout.com Marketplaces, access to monthly workshops hosted by industry leaders, networking events, and one-on-one capacity-building sessions with Partner Marketing, Private Label, Branding, Business Insights, Advertising, Merchandising and Supply Chain teams, while providing them with impactful tools and resources to help support and grow their businesses.

At Walkbout.com we are supporting MSME Tourism entrepreneurs and related small businesses as we know firsthand the challenges of building a business from the ground up.

For more information on The Silicon Mountain Project CLICK THIS LINK

Continue Reading

Travel and Lifestyle

‘Rediscover Jamaica’ Campaign Encourages Jamaicans To Taste, See, Feel And Enjoy The Country’s Tourism Product

Published

on

The ‘Rediscover Jamaica’ campaign, which encourages Jamaicans to taste, see, feel, and enjoy the country’s tourism product, was officially launched on July 22.

The domestic marketing campaign also encourages persons living on the island to feel good again, by going out and enjoying the sights, scenes, and taste of the island.

Speaking at the official launch at The Jamaica Pegasus, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett urged persons to take full advantage of the deals that are being provided under the campaign.

“The timing is right for the Rediscover Jamaica Campaign. Summer is traditionally a time when we take day trips to long-time favorites or to those undiscovered places. Our upcoming August holidays provide the perfect reason to enjoy our accommodations, attractions, shopping, and transportation,” Mr. Bartlett said.

He reminded that persons must adhere to the safety protocols that have been established by the Government to protect themselves and families against the coronavirus (COVID-19).

“I want you to take full advantage of them and all with the protocols being observed. The way that we manage in uncertainty, the way that we manage the unknown, is to follow the protocols that are known,” he said.

Mr. Bartlett pointed out that the sector’s protocol elements focus on sanitation, physical distancing, enhanced digital enablement, real-time health monitoring and reporting, rapid response, and staff training, among others.

He commended the Jamaica Tourist Board on the work that they have been doing in developing the Rediscover Jamaica campaign.

“This is not a knee-jerk reaction because of COVID, because we started this staycation years ago. We might not have moved it with the energy that we should, but this is a moment when the psychosocial impact of COVID is taking its toll, so we need a release and the wonderful products are all there, the glories of our culture await us. Let’s go out, rediscover Jamaica, enjoy the summer and be safe,” he said.

For his part, Director of Tourism, Donovan White, noted that more than 100 tourism partners are offering discounts and products to Jamaicans, so that they can enjoy the tourism product.

“Enjoy the products that we and our partners have built together that have served and provided such wonderful experiences for people from around the world. We want every Jamaican to feel that energy and product,” he said.

Mr. White informed that the offers range from as high as 50 percent off in some instances, and urged persons to “call their travel agents to book their staycation”.

Meanwhile, President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Omar Robinson, said a vast array of safety protocols that will guide employees and visitors have been implemented at hotels, resorts, and attractions, noting that this “will form part of the new normal as resorts and attractions are reopened safely”.

“We are ready to welcome our Jamaicans; our properties are ready; the employees are well trained on the safety protocols and will ensure that all our visitors… have a safe and wonderful experience,” he said.

Mr. Robinson noted that approximately 35 percent of the island’s resorts have resumed operations.

Continue Reading

Travel and Lifestyle

New London Gatwick To Montego Bay Flights Begin October 13

Published

on

British Airways’ announcement of new London Gatwick to Montego Bay flights, beginning October 13, is being hailed by local tourism stakeholders as a major step in Jamaica’s COVID-19 road to recovery.

Highly regarded as one of the most popular European air carriers, the new flights will be operated by World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club World, and will depart on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

“Great news and great signal to the market,” was the reaction of Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett.

“As we all know, prior to COVID-19, the European market, including Great Britain, was literally on fire where Jamaica was seeing a surge in new arrivals. Things came to a screeching halt in March, and is only now starting to show some real signs of life,” the Minister said.

Chief Operations Officer of Sandals Resorts International, Shawn DaCosta, said it is not surprising that major airline carriers are already looking towards a post COVID-19 era, where a country with a brand like Jamaica will continue to appeal to visitors.

“It will only get better as we go along,” he told JIS News.

For his part, Director of Tourism, Donovan White, said the move by British Airways can only be read as a sign of bigger things to come as “we continue our relentless march into life after the coronavirus”.

“We’re delighted that British Airways has announced a twice-weekly service to Montego Bay from London Gatwick from October 13, 2020, adding to its regular London Gatwick-Kingston service and further bolstering the number of flights from the UK to Jamaica,” the Tourism Director said.

sangster-mo-bay-670x450In the meantime, operators of the Sangster International Airport, Montego Bay, MBJ Airports Limited, said the decision by British Airways is both welcomed and appreciated and augurs well for Jamaica “during this period of recovery”.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shane Munroe, said MBJ is not only “pleased with the addition of this new service” but “we also view this as a significant achievement at a time like this and speaks volumes for destination Jamaica and MBJ”.

Diane Corrie, British Airways’ Commercial Manager for the Caribbean, said in a statement: “We’re excited to be extending our network once again between London Gatwick and the Caribbean with the start of this new flight to Montego Bay in October.”

“Customers whose flights were affected over recent months, and who claimed a voucher, can use it towards the flights,” she added.

Continue Reading

Trending

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x