Kingston, Jamaica – As Jamaica continues its strong financial restoration from the affect of the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has once more emphasised the significance of tourism diplomacy as a key driver in boosting funding in Jamaica’s tourism product and attracting sustainable progress alternatives to the nation. Minister Bartlett made the disclosure following the latest inaugural CARICOM-Saudi Arabia Summit in Riyadh, the place he performed a pivotal function in main discussions round resilience constructing and sustainability.
Jamaican Delegation
The tourism minister fashioned part of the delegation led by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, which participated within the summit alongside 14 heads of presidency from the Caribbean. Over three days, regional leaders engaged in high-level discussions with the Saudi Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud, his cupboard ministers, and personal sector stakeholders. The occasion marked a major improvement within the geopolitical enviornment, forging new views on investments and tourism.
Forging Sturdy Tourism Partnership
It was famous that the summit follows the preliminary go to by His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia, to Jamaica in 2021, on the invitation of Minister Bartlett. Mr. Bartlett has additionally visited Saudia Arabia to proceed discussions with Minister Al Khateeb and different stakeholders in a bid to forge a powerful tourism partnership between each nations and gasoline investments.
Energy of Tourism
Minister Bartlett stated: “This summit is a testomony to the ability of tourism as a device for not solely tourism associated investments however for peace and diplomacy. It brings collectively nations with various cultural and non secular backgrounds, united by a typical imaginative and prescient and an unwavering dedication to enhance the lives of their residents.”
Throughout the summit, the Saudi Crown Prince, who’s the visionary behind the Saudi Vision 2030, addressed tourism ministers, business professionals, and leaders. He outlined the Kingdom’s strategic plan, which is aimed toward decreasing the Kingdom’s reliance on oil, and locations tourism at its forefront. Internet hosting World EXPO 2030 in Riyadh is a key aspiration, and the help from Caribbean nations is integral.
Exploring Funding Alternatives
The conferences on the sidelines of the summit noticed Caribbean leaders partaking with non-public sector firms to discover funding alternatives. Minister Al-Khateeb underscored the Kingdom’s dedication to optimistic and sustainable change. “The Kingdom, guided by its sensible management, is able to attaining international prosperity and improvement via worldwide cooperation,” he famous.
Promising Alternatives
Reflecting on the potential for progress that has been unlocked because of the summit, Minister Bartlett added: “The assembly between Caribbean leaders and Saudi Arabia’s non-public sector firms revealed promising alternatives. The Kingdom’s thriving non-public sector goals to drive sustainable change, guaranteeing prosperity and improvement for not simply native companies however worldwide ones as properly. Saudi Arabia’s international outlook makes them the best strategic associate for small island growing states and tourism companions within the Caribbean.”
