PM calls for expansion of Jamaica's tourism product

By Clinton McGregor    

 

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has called for the Ministry of Tourism and stakeholders in the tourism sector to expand Jamaica's tourism product.

 

Speaking at a book launch for Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, on Wednesday night, Prime Minister Holness argued that overseas visitors are seeking more than sun, sea and sand in their travels.

 

He said local stakeholders must improve on the offering to visitors, adding that an expansion of the tourism product will see more people coming to Jamaica. 

 

"Jamaica has to strategically now seek to recraft and reposition itself if it is to get future growth in tourism. So we're getting growth now and Ed [Bartlett] is very good at being a good cheerleader for that, but...we can do more and we can do better in our tourism. 

 

"We're going to get more rooms, no doubt, and we're seeing that already, but we want to be sure that 10 years from now, 15 years from now, 20 years from now, those rooms can continue to be filled but we want to ensure that our tourists are not just confined to their rooms or their resorts. We want to see the tourists on our streets, in our towns, in our local community," Mr. Holness declared. 

 

He also called for Jamaicans to ensure tourists are protected during their time on the island.

 

Jamaica welcomed more than four million visitors last year.