Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has announced that the upcoming Global Tourism Resilience Conference will explore the increasing opportunities within the hospitality industry that have been brought about by technology.
The event, scheduled to take place from February 17 to 19 at the Princess Grand Hotel in Hanover, is to be held under the theme, ‘Building Tourism Resilience Through Digital Transformation’.
Bartlett, speaking at Wednesday’s press launch at the ministry’s New Kingston offices, said the digital age is revolutionising the tourism industry.
On that score, he said “the emphasis here at the conference (will enable) us to take a good peep into what the future of tourism can look like”.
He noted that the age of knowledge has created new opportunities for exponential tourism, and said the new generation will “understand tourism in a more dynamic way through knowledge explorations and discourse.”
The conference, according to Bartlett, will also facilitate partnerships among technology providers, tourism stakeholders, and financial institutions to create integrated solutions for a resilient tourism industry.
He highlighted that the innovations will create new experiences for visitors, generating economic returns and empowerment for countries.
Consequently, he said the conference will explore new funding models that facilitate investment in tourism and digital transformation.
“We think participants will leave the conference equipped with knowledge about the latest digital tools, innovative funding models and collaborative strategies (that are) needed to enhance the resilience of the tourism industry,” Bartlett declared.
With tourism accounting for 30 per cent of Jamaica’s gross domestic product (GDP), Bartlett underscored the importance of capacity building in the sector.
“This conference, beyond the strong technological focus, will (facilitate) a deeper dive into the value that the industry provides on a global scale,” he said.
Given that the conference promises to be a transformative experience, Bartlett is inviting the world to “come and share in this richness with us, and to leave valued gems here in Jamaica for the development and enrichment of our own (tourism product).”
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