Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett, says Jamaica is positioning itself as a worldwide chief in well being and wellness tourism, combining its wealthy cultural heritage and pure assets to draw vacationers in search of transformative experiences.
The Minister shared this bold imaginative and prescient yesterday (November 14) on the sixth Annual Jamaica Well being and Wellness Tourism Convention, held on the Montego Bay Conference Centre. The occasion, themed “Past the Horizon: Embracing Innovation in Well being and Wellness Tourism,” introduced collectively business leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to discover alternatives on this fast-growing sector.
“As we speak’s vacationers search greater than leisure; they’re trying to find experiences that improve their bodily, psychological, and emotional well-being,” stated Minister Bartlett, who delivered the keynote deal with nearly. “Jamaica is uniquely positioned to satisfy this rising demand.”
He highlighted Jamaica’s plentiful pure assets as a aggressive edge, together with over 100 rivers, 334 medicinal vegetation, practically 700 miles of shoreline, and mountains hovering past 7,000 toes. These pure property, he said, underpin the nation’s burgeoning wellness tourism choices.
The tourism sector’s impression continues to develop, with 4.3 million guests anticipated in 2024 and projected income of US$4.5 billion. Minister Bartlett harassed that this success is about extra than simply numbers:
“This isn’t nearly statistics; it’s about making a sustainable future for our communities.”
The Minister continued by outlining six world developments that Jamaica intends to capitalize on: personalised wellness experiences, expertise integration, nature-based well being tourism, luxurious medical tourism, sustainable wellness practices, and cultural immersion.
The imaginative and prescient for Jamaica’s well being and wellness tourism was strengthened by Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Well being and Wellness, who delivered an impassioned deal with on the convention.
Dr. Tufton argued that Jamaica is uniquely poised to steer the worldwide wellness revolution, with its world-class resorts, wealthy cultural heritage, and unparalleled pure magnificence. He additionally harassed the significance of integrating wellness choices into community-based tourism, creating alternatives for guests to have interaction with native tradition whereas addressing their well being and wellness wants.
To assist this bold imaginative and prescient, important investments are being made in Jamaica’s medical infrastructure. Plans embrace the rehabilitation of Cornwall Regional Hospital and the Western Kids and Adolescent Hospital right into a medical hub that includes over 800 beds and about 14 new working theatres.
Dr. Tufton additionally referred to as for larger funding in training and coaching to solidify Jamaica’s status as a worldwide wellness vacation spot.
“I’d make a suggestion for integrating the experience round constructing out wellness within the space of coaching for export…Jamaica’s status within the worldwide area, whether or not represented by these merchandise or extra importantly by the individuals who create the merchandise, is phenomenal. I believe we have to practice extra of them not simply to supply an answer right here however after they go overseas to supply that answer as ambassadors that may then finally imply extra individuals having an curiosity at house, stated Dr. Tufton.
The occasion, organized by the Tourism Linkages Community, a division of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), goals to place Jamaica as a premier vacation spot for well being and wellness tourism. It additionally seeks to strengthen connections between the well being and wellness business and different sectors, notably manufacturing and agriculture, whereas showcasing Jamaica’s distinctive well being and wellness tourism merchandise.
SEEN IN IMAGE: Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Well being and Wellness (heart) feedback on the aeroponic farming show finished by John Mark Clayton, CEO of Jamaica Tower Farms (left), on the sixth staging of the Jamaica Well being and Wellness Tourism Convention on the Montego Bay Conference Centre on November 14, 2024. Becoming a member of within the {photograph} are Dr. Carey Wallace, Govt Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (Second left), Mr Wade Mars, Govt Director of the Tourism Product Growth Firm (second proper) and Mr Garth Walker, Chairman of the Well being and Wellness Community of the Tourism Enhancement Fund. – picture courtesy of Jamaica MOT
