Jamaica minister of tourism Edmund Bartlett called for a holistic sustainable tourism roadmap in Asia.
Recognising the growing and future potential of the region, especially with the potential unification of North and South Korea, the growing economies of Indonesia, India and China, Bartlett said that Asia will soon become one of the desired tourism destination for many and a major source market for various other destinations.
According to the minister, this will be a “a game changer, not only for the Asian region but for countries like Jamaica who will need to prepare for the influx of curious travellers from Asia.”
Speaking at the ninth Asian Leadership Conference in Seoul, South Korea, Bartlett stated that the Asian region will need to work with existing stakeholders such as PATA and the UNWTO to enhance their existing products and services and, to develop new products and services in the region to attract the transitioning travellers.
He further stated that there will be a need for travel authorities in the region to manage both inbound output travel while importantly protecting against harm to the environment and effectively safeguarding heritage spaces.
According to Bartlett, the recently developed Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Centre housed at the University of the West Indies will play an important role in the upcoming transition of the Asian region in terms of research, monitoring and evolution as well as training and capacity building and advice.