"We will also be able to put our position, our destination, in line with all the great destinations of the world. It gives us a voice so that we can also influence policy and influence the thinking of tourism globally. We get a chance to meet people, who have relationships that we want, and because we connect with them we are able to benefit from that," he said. Citing an example of how networking with other global tourism stakeholders has benefitted the country, Bartlett disclosed that last year, he was able to meet and discuss joint airlift arrangements involving Jamaica, Italy, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, with representatives of the Italian airline, Blue Panorama, while they were attending the Cuban Tourism Fair. "That's how we were able to reverse the negative trends (in visitor arrivals) that we had in Italy for the last 10 years, to a positive where, last year, we ended up growing by 21 per cent out of Italy. "So, these are the key affinities that we have to pursue, by having relationships of this nature. It gives Jamaica a place, a presence and a voice, and it also enables us to engage advocacy on behalf of other Caribbean countries and the Americas. So we think that the impact of the WTTC is very powerful, globally," the Tourism Minister said.
Caribbean360.com