Speeches

INTRODUCTION

Mr. Speaker, I rise on this my 31^st occasion to address this honourable house in this critically important sectoral debate as I speak of the developments and challenges faced by one of our nation’s key industries, tourism. With COVID-19 upending the affairs of every single nation, east and west, I must extend hearty commendation and gratitude for the

·       It gives me great pleasure to welcome our travel and tourism partners to this timely webinar, “Culinary Tourism: The Secret Sauce in Selling the Caribbean.”

·       The Caribbean has an amazingly diverse culinary heritage that is more than worthy of recognition.

·       It is a rich convergence of historical influences, which have been stirred by time into a vibrant

Mr. Secretary-General, colleague Ministers, and delegates:

Let me begin by expressing my delegation’s deepest disappointment that we were not in a position to host you last month, as scheduled. That was only one in a myriad of adjustments that we have had to make as individuals, communities, and nations in the face of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Nevertheless, I look

INTRODUCTION

·       The COVID-19 pandemic brought the global tourism and travel industry to a standstill, making it one of the worst affected economic sectors.

·       With airplanes on the ground, hotels closed and travel restrictions in virtually all countries,  the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) estimates that international tourist arrivals will contract by 20% to 30% in 2020 when compared with 2019

·       As the Government makes plans to reopen the economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism is taking centre stage.  And for good reason. The tourism industry is Jamaica’s bread and butter. It is responsible for 9.5% of GDP, contributes 50% of the foreign exchange earnings of the economy, and generates 354,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs.

·       Tourism is big