Jamaica to Host Major UNWTO Conference in November

The UNWTO conference scheduled to be held in Jamaica later this year will be discussing the strategies for sustainable development in an industry that contributes heavily to the island’s economy.

The conference, being hosted by the UNWTO, the Jamaican Government, and the World Bank Group, in collaboration with Chemonics International and George Washington University, will take place in November 27-29 in Montego Bay.

According to the UNWTO, the conference, “will yield practical plans to guide future development initiatives, building on the United Nations 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, including specific development proposals and opportunities related to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (MDG) 17”.

The conference will bring together world leaders from the tourism industry along with governments, donors, international development, and finance organizations to design and coordinate an international road map and foster collaborative relationships for inclusive economic and social development via tourism.

With tourist arrivals to Jamaica expected to climb to 4.2 million by the end of this year, surpassing last year’s 3.84 million, the effort to preserve the environment, history and culture of communities will become even more important. Those are areas in which Jamaica is particularly strong will be highlighted in the conference.