Expectation of at least 100,000 tourists from Saudi Arabia within next 3 years

Jamaica is expecting to receive at least 100,000 tourists from Saudi Arabia within the next three years, as both nations recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate in the field of tourism.

This is the word from Jamaica’s tourism minister, speaking in an exclusive interview with Arab News.  Bartlett told the news network yesterday that the new tourism agreement would also elevate investment opportunities in Jamaica and Saudi Arabia.

“This MoU will seek to share best practices between the two countries. It will seek to help build human capital and create skill sets within new and exciting areas of tourism. We are moving to get the first 100,000 visitors in the next three years,” Bartlett advised.

The minister was particularly optimistic that the MoU could boost cruise tourism opportunities in Saudi Arabia when he revealed that the Caribbean held a whopping 23 million of the 28 million cruise trips worldwide.

“Cruise has been a strong feature of the Caribbean. We can train your cruise stakeholders to understand the nature of the business,” Bartlett explained.

Saudi Arabia’s cruise tourism sector has been progressing steadily as the Kingdom diversifies its economy, which was dependent on oil for several decades, in line with Vision 2030.

He hinted that there is a great opportunity for Jamaican and Caribbean products to find their way to Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabian products to come to the Caribbean via this arrangement noting that gateway airports are crucial in elevating tourism activities between Saudi Arabia and Jamaica.

“The critical part is the gateway, the Riyadh gateway or the Jeddah gateway. We should build air connectivity. We have to open new gateways,” Bartlett posited, saying he believes his country’s partnership with the Gulf Cooperation Council would open gateways to North Africa and Asia, particularly India and China, thus enabling access to the Caribbean and the Americas.

EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES IN A TOURISM SUPPLIES LOGISTICS CENTRE

Last year, Bartlett told Arab News that establishing air connectivity between the two countries was a priority.

According to the Jamaican tourism minister, “air connectivity will bring human cargo and agricultural produce from Jamaica such as fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, we can get spices and other delightful products from Saudi Arabia coming into this area”.

He added that a tourism supplies logistics centre in the Caribbean would provide an excellent opportunity for Saudi goods to find their way into hotels across the Americas.