Stimulus package helping Jamaica tourism

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said that he is confident that with that approach, the industry will continue to be Jamaica's number one foreign exchange earner. (File photo)

KINGSTON, Jamaica, July 2, 2009 – The stimulus package introduced to support tourism in Jamaica has so far provided J$634 million (US$7.1 million) in cash support to the sector, to sustain jobs and maintain growth, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.

And he says the industry is using those resources well.

"They have used the resources well. There is not a single hotel in Jamaica that has been closed, even though the times are hard globally and things have been tough. We have been able to ensure that, notwithstanding the very impressive sales programmes that we have had to carry out, we've worked in partnership with the trade in order to ensure that we are getting better value for the dollar that we are spending," he said.

The stimulus package was announced by Prime Minister Bruce Golding late last year, and makes concessionary loans available to the tourism sector at all levels.

Meantime, Bartlett said his Ministry will continue to push forward despite tough economic times and a tight budget.

"In difficult times, we have to act outside of the box, and we have to develop the kind of concepts and ideas that are going to enable us to meet the challenges. If the short term actions can be aligned with long-term social goals, then the overall industry may actually be strengthened by this crisis," he said.

He added that the Ministry has developed “new tourism”, built on marketing, product development and investment.

Bartlett said this looks beyond the short-term and demands the support of the private sector, and a shared vision by all sectors and all Jamaicans. It benefits not only those who travel, but also the people in the communities that tourists visit.

The Tourism Minister said that he is confident that with that approach, the industry will continue to be Jamaica's number one foreign exchange earner. (JIS)