Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett is set to participate in several high-level meetings with major players in the cruise tourism industry as he attends the 28th Annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Cruise Conference, which will be held in Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic, from October 11-14.

According to Bartlett, “cruise tourism is a fast-growing component of the tourism industry” and he is looking forward to the takeaways from the conference.

The minister also noted that “the event is timely as the cruise industry is experiencing a strong recovery after being at a standstill for some time due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic”.

Speaking to the interaction and networking opportunities that the conference will provide, Bartlett said: “It will serve to bolster existing partnerships and establish solid networks that should lead to profitable opportunities for Jamaica’s post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery.”

He added too that it places the country “in a better position to capitalise on cruise tourism moving forward”.

In a release, the Ministry of Tourism said Bartlett has always stressed that cruise tourism is an integral part of Jamaica’s tourism product and an important driver in terms of visitor arrivals and expenditure.

BARTLETT TO MEET WITH CRUISE EXECUTIVES

While at the conference, the minister is expected to meet with various cruise executives, including
Josh Weinstein, president and CEO and chief climate officer, Carnival Corporation; Christine Duffy, president, Carnival Cruise Line; John Padgett, president, Princess Cruises; Michele M. Paige, CEO, FCAA; Richard Sasso, chairman, MSC Cruises; Howard Sherman, president and CEO, Oceania Cruises; and Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.

The FCAA Cruise Conference is the largest cruise convention and trade show in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and South America. It is expected to be attended by more than 60 cruise executives from more than 40 countries globally, as well as more than 500 representatives from various parts of the world.

The conference will feature a series of meetings and workshops covering topics such as ‘Operating in a Post-Pandemic World’ and ‘The New Reality of Shore Excursion Operations: Challenges and Opportunities’, which are open to all conference attendees.

Bartlett leaves the island tomorrow (October 11) and returns on Friday (October 14).