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JAM | Jan 23, 2025

Jamaica signs MOU for international tourism cooperation with Spain

Josimar Scott

Josimar Scott / Our Today

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Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett gifts Secretary of State for Tourism, Spain, Rosario Sánchez Grau with his tabletop book The Journey, The Service, The Man following a high-level discussion on a memorandum of understanding between Jamaica and Spain at the Ministry of Industry and Tourism in Madrid yesterday (January 21).

Jamaica has Ministry of Tourism has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with its counterpart in Spain which will result in the two countries engaging in international tourism cooperation.

As per the agreement, both countries  will establish a framework for collaboration across four strategic pillars crucial to tourism development four strategic pillars — gastronomy, human capital development, tourism resilience and sustainability, and technical support through staff exchanges.

On January 21, Spain’s Secretary of State for Tourism Rosario Sánchez Grau hosted a high-level discussion with Jamaica’s Ministerof Tourism Bartlett at the Ministry of Industry and Tourism in Madrid, Spain.

“This partnership represents a milestone in Jamaica’s tourism evolution,” remarked Bartlett.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett (left) in a high-level discussion with Secretary of State for Tourism, Spain Rosario Sánchez Grau (second right) on a memorandum of understanding between Jamaica and Spain at the Ministry of Industry and Tourism in Madrid yesterday (January 21). Sharing in the moment are (from second left) Fiona Fennell, public relations and communications manager, Jamaica Tourist Board; Ruben Lopez, director of the Touristic Cooperation and Competitiveness Division; and Arturo Ortiz, advisor to the secretary of state.

“In terms of gastronomy, by combining Jamaica’s vibrant culinary heritage with Spain’s world-renowned gastronomy expertise, we’re creating unprecedented opportunities for knowledge sharing and cultural exchange,” he added.

The collaboration will facilitate the exchange of best practices in sustainable tourism management, with both countries committed to developing resilient tourism models that can withstand global challenges. At the same time, the staff exchange programme will enable tourism professionals from both nations to gain hands-on experience in their respective markets, fostering innovation and professional growth.

Some key areas of cooperation the MOU will seek to strengthen are: the development of culinary tourism initiatives and gastronomy programmes; implementation of sustainable tourism practices and resilience strategies; professional development and training programmes for tourism sector workers; exchange of technical expertise through bilateral staff placement programmes.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett (right) with Secretary of State for Tourism, Spain, Rosario Sánchez Grau ahead of the high-level discussion on a Memorandum of Understanding between Jamaica and Spain at the Ministry of Industry and Tourism in Madrid yesterday (January 21, 2025).

“This will be a strong area of collaboration for Jamaica’s tourism sector as both countries exchange ideas geared towards improving both country’s tourism products. Global disruptions have proven that we are stronger together and I look forward to this new partnership,” Minister Bartlett stated.

The partnership is expected to strengthen both countries’ tourism sectors while creating new opportunities for cultural exchange and economic growth.

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