Jamaica and Emirates Airlines in talks – To Build New Partnerships

All India, 9 March 2022:Under the theme “The riddim that connects the world”, the Jamaica Pavilion at the World Expo 2020 Dubai, aims to introduce and position Jamaica as a logistic hub connecting the Americas to the rest of the world. With the island strategically located, providing direct connections to major gateways, this makes the destination even more appealing to tourism investors and stakeholders in the airline industry.

Emirates Airlines is a premium airline from the Middle East region, and Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett has initiated discussions with top representatives of the airline during his visits to the World Expo 2020 Dubai. The aim of these discussions is to enhance connectivity between the regions by facilitating airlift.

In an ongoing effort to enhance the connectivity efforts between Asia, Middle East, Africa and Europe to Jamaica and rest of the Caribbean and Latin American region, Minister Bartlett held meetings with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Emirates Group.

Other Jamaican dignitaries present at the meeting were, Senator The Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, leading the delegation to World Expo 2020 Dubai; Ambassador Alison Stone Roofe, Under Secretary for Multilateral Affairs; Donovan White, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism and Diane Edwards, President of JAMPRO. Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President International Affairs and Mr. Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer from Emirates Airlines were also present at the meeting.

Jamaica’s well developed and world-class infrastructure was an essential element of the dialogue as mention was made of the highways, airports and sea ports including the existing air and sea connectivity within the region. The island’s meetings incentives conferencing and exhibitions (MICE) facilities which attract tens of thousands of business travellers for conferences, tradeshows and corporate activities are major advantages. Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica also presented relevant data on the island’s tourism product as he provided details on potential growth in airlift capacity in terms of potential flyers.  

Minster Bartlett also briefed the Emirates delegation on the expansion of the Panama Canal and the benefits that Jamaica will gain from new and innovative commercial ventures as it seeks to position itself to join Rotterdam, Dubai, and Singapore as the fourth node in the international logistics chain. Director White gave an update that the Montego Bay Convention Centre is preparing to host the World Free Zone Organization (WFZO) AICE 2022 and is expecting 3,500 delegates from across the globe, with over 70% of that expected from Asia, Africa and Europe. Launched in UAE, the World Free Zone Organization will be hosting its annual AICE 2022 June 13 – 17 in Jamaica.

Given Jamaica’s geographical location in the center of the Americas, the efforts are being made at an opportune time between Emirates Airlines and Jamaica to be partners to the wider region.

About Jamaica Tourist Board 

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.

In 2021, the JTB was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination,’ ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Wedding Destination’ for the second consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named it the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 14th consecutive year; and the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Destination’ for the 16th consecutive year; as well as the ‘Caribbean’s Best Nature Destination’ and the ‘Caribbean’s Best Adventure Tourism Destination.’ In addition, Jamaica was awarded four gold 2021 Travvy Awards, including ‘Best Destination, Caribbean/Bahamas,’ ‘Best Culinary Destination –Caribbean,’ Best Travel Agent Academy Program,’; as well as a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 10th time. In 2020, the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) named Jamaica the 2020 ‘Destination of the Year for Sustainable Tourism’. In 2019, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #1 Caribbean Destination and #14 Best Destination in the World. Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition.