Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett in his meeting today with His Excellency Ricardo Allicock, Ambassador of Jamaica to Japan, and Mr. Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board, discussed the significance of increasing Japan’s interest in Jamaica’s Tourism product.
Minister Bartlett noted the intention of the Government of Jamaica to support the Government of Japan with regard to its Candidature for the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Kansai, Japan. This was noted as an important opportunity to reaffirm Jamaica’s commitment to Japan in support of our shared interest in Tourism, as well as in the deepening of their relations.
The Minister acknowledged the efforts being made by the Embassy of Jamaica in Japan, the Jamaica Tourist Board, and the various Japanese stakeholders, in promoting brand Jamaica in Japan.
Both Ambassador Allicock and Director White welcomed the Minister’s comments and acknowledged the continued work of the Ministry of Tourism towards expanding Jamaica’s Tourism footprint on the world stage, including in Japan and other Asian countries.
Note was made of the upcoming opportunities for increased promotion of Brand Jamaica in Japan, by way of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, which will be the ninth (9th) and first ever to be held in an Asian country, Japan, from 20th September to 2nd November 2019.
This, in addition to the 2020 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXII Olympiad, commonly known as Tokyo 2020, were cited as worthwhile opportunities for revitalising interest in Jamaica’s Tourism product in Japan, the Asian continent as well as the rest of the international community, given the global nature and scope of the aforementioned activities.
The Minister noted the potential opportunities and benefits to be derived from the establishment of a Jamaica House during Tokyo 2020 and the need for a focused strategy aimed at maximizing Jamaica’s marketing potential during the Games.
Ambassador Allicock and Director White expressed a shared recognition of the importance of the foregoing and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the government’s agenda towards expanding Jamaica’s Tourism in Japan and the wider Asian community.
The Minister is joined in Tokyo by the Director of Tourism Mr. Donovan White and his Executive Assistant Ms. Anna-Kay Newell. They will return to the island on Sunday, September 23, 2018.
