Almost one year to the day while we are celebrating another World Tourism day, the world will also recognize the first anniversary of the fall of the some the globe’s biggest and most recognizable financial institutions which triggered a systematic collapse of the world economy.

Prior to this precipitous economic event, world tourism growth was pacing ahead of most other industry and economic indices and Jamaica for its part, had an even better showing with an expansion of in our Room Count; the Adventure and Attractions sub-sector grew impressively with new and exciting additions; while the possibilities for shopping also expanded with new shopping centres in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril.

Jamaica’s constant investment in the tourism industry places us in the most promising of places for the soon to come return of travelers’ consumer confidence, as with new products and an expansion in choice for and within the vacation experience, our island can be assured of a privileged place when the consumer make up his mind on where to go and how to spend.  This investment on our part is in keeping with the UNWTO’s theme for this year: “Tourism: Celebrating Diversity”.

Diversity of rooms, vacations concepts, shopping, attractions, resort towns and so much more are the hallmarks of what is uniquely Jamaican and gives us much to depend on as a country to take us out of the economic slump in which we and the world are in.

All Jamaicans, those directly and indirectly in tourism as well as those who may not see their immediate link to the industry must pull together and show our national pride in tourism as this industry not just here, but worldwide has weathered many challenges through the year, but has each time returned stronger than before.

Wayne Cummings
President
JHTA