The Tourism Minister is expressing confidence despite the staggeringly low visitor arrivals, as the sector continues its struggle to recover. The Ministry maintains that the industry continues to be resilient amidst the coronavirus outbreak, as figures show arrivals are increasing. However, the Jamaica Hoteliers and Tourism Association says without a simple, safe, and secure environment for visitors, the industry will not survive.
As the Ministry of Tourism closed Tourism Awareness Week, Edmund Bartlett says the industry remains resilient despite the coronavirus outbreak.
Tourism is the heartbeat of the economy according to the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC). EPOC says the billion-dollar tourism industry is the driver of the country’s recovery. But, with staggeringly low visitor arrival of a little over forty-three thousand for August compared to 214, 780 for the similar period in 2019, the billion-dollar question is can the industry survive the pandemic?.
The President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association is hoping this winter season will be more favorable. But Director of Tourism, Donovan Whyte says the coronavirus outbreak has given rise to creativity in the sector. He says like the people who have recovered from COVID-19, the tourism industry will recover as well.
But can a rendition of Bob Marley’s One Love hit, by the judges of the popular talent show, The Voice UK, give the industry the added push? The song received almost one million views on YouTube and hundreds of thousands more on different social media platforms.
The collaboration, created to symbolize the upcoming new season, as well as spread the much needed strength and unity amidst the spread of the coronavirus, has been receiving positive feedback from Jamaicans at home and abroad, boasting about the country’s undeniable music and contagious brand.
The Tourism Industry may be the heart beat of the economy, but Jamaica is seemingly the heartbeat of the world.
CVM LIVE‘s Jamaila Maitland reports:
