Jamaica Aims for Industry Leadership as Minister Bartlett Unveils High-Impact Plans to Seize Cruise Sector Opportunities

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has called for a strategic push to elevate Jamaica’s presence in the global tourism supply chain, particularly within the lucrative cruise sector. This comes after a two-day business opportunity meeting with Carnival Corporation and local manufacturers, held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on September 23-24, 2024. The event was organized by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and aimed to forge new partnerships between Jamaican businesses and Carnival’s global cruise brands.

Minister Bartlett stressed the need to strengthen Jamaica’s supply side in the tourism industry, with a particular focus on capturing more economic benefits. He underscored the critical role that food plays in the visitor experience, noting that 42% of tourist spending is on food. Given the Caribbean cruise sector’s immense demand for food supplies—currently valued at $5.3 billion USD, with an expected surge to $17.3 billion USD by 2033—Jamaica is well-positioned to tap into this growing market.

During the meeting, Jamaican manufacturers were provided with key insights into Carnival Corporation’s procurement processes and requirements. The discussions opened up potential avenues for local businesses to become suppliers for Carnival’s cruise brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Cunard. This initiative is seen as a major step toward boosting Jamaica’s economy and further integrating the country into the global tourism supply chain.

Additionally, Minister Bartlett emphasized the importance of fostering local entrepreneurship and innovation in Jamaica’s cruise supply chain. He encouraged Jamaican businesses to not only meet the high standards set by Carnival Corporation but also to exceed them by offering unique, homegrown products that reflect the island’s rich cultural heritage. Bartlett believes that by leveraging Jamaica’s natural resources and talent, the country can significantly increase its export capacity and provide a wider array of goods and services to the global cruise industry. This partnership with Carnival, he noted, marks a pivotal moment for Jamaica’s long-term economic growth and its ambition to be a leading supplier in the international cruise sector.

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