Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Named Global Icon at ITB Berlin

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is set to depart the island to participate in Eco-Canada’s Sustainable Blue Economy Summit 2024 in Halifax, Canada, on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Minister Bartlett will be a featured speaker and thought leader at the summit, highlighting the critical importance of the blue economy to building tourism resilience and sustainability.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, has announced that Jamaica has welcomed one million visitors and earned one billion in foreign exchange in the first two months of the year. The numbers highlight the impressive growth trajectory of the country’s tourism sector. The announcement was made during a Caribbean Hotel and Tourist Association (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace press conference, held yesterday at the Jamaica Tourist Board office in Kingston.

ITB Berlin, an annual event considered one of the most critical in the travel trade industry, concluded last week after another successful year. 

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett is driving future tourism investment for St. Thomas which is gearing up to become Jamaica’s newest tourist destination. In a meeting with German leisure, travel and tourism company, TUI Group, it was confirmed that the company is exploring expanding its footprints in Jamaica and is showing signs of interest to invest in St. Thomas.

Jamaica has been named Global Destination of the Year at the renowned travel trade show, ITB in Berlin. The award was presented yesterday by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA). The PATWA is a nonprofit international media organization of travel writers founded in 1999 and the awards seek to recognize organizations, destinations/brands and individuals achieving the highest standards in their field. In accepting the award on behalf of the destination, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett said, “Jamaica is known for its food, music and indeed love so we are humbled to be recognized for these experiential offerings to our visitors that provide meaningful memories.”

Athens has clinched a prestigious title in the tourism realm, emerging as Europe’s Leading City-break Destination at the World Travel Awards 2024. The announcement came during a glittering ceremony held in Berlin on Wednesday, coinciding with ITB Berlin, a major tourism exhibition. Athens, represented by its special pavilion at the EOT Pavilion, took centre stage at the event.

Israel’s Tourism Minister Haim Katz has appealed for travellers to visit Israel again. Travellers were safe in the country, he said in front of the press on Tuesday at ITB Berlin. He would be urging the German government to drop the travel warnings for Israel issued by the German Foreign Office.

Travel from Germany to the United States of America has returned to pre-pandemic levels. Speaking at ITB Berlin, on Wednesday the US ambassador to Germany, Amy Gutmann, stated that the two million mark has again been exceeded, and is now within 85 per cent of the 2019 figure.

At ITB Berlin – the world’s leading travel trade show – Weeva launched its new AI capabilities in an industry-defining first for the travel and tourism sector. Since providing a preview of the new AI features at the Phocuswright Conference in October 2023, the formal launch now means that the award-winning sustainability management platform is the first to integrate generative AI capabilities into its user experience.

THE importance of the German market to Tobago has been underscored by THA Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation Tashia Burris.

Italy’s tourism industry wants to be more innovative and flexible – Greater emphasis on interaction between visitors and locals – Minister supports better wages for the catering industry.

The State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine (SATD) has unveiled a new campaign entitled “We Are Here: Brave Hearts of Ukraine” during the ITB Congress in Berlin.