Jamaica is the bread of the 30th World Travel Market (WTM), which ended on Thursday at the Excel Exhibition Center in East London, England.

State kicked off a successful week on Sunday, an unprecedented number of awards won at the opening ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel. The trend continued through the week, as the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) exhibition stand sustained attention from travel industry professionals from across the globe.Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett, who led the Jamaican team for the four-day event, said this year’s exhibition is the most successful to date. He added that it spoke a lot about the positive activities that occur in the state tourism sector.

He said he was satisfied that the tourism product is received major recognition at the global industry suffering from the impact of economic recession.

“Jamaica has enjoyed over the place at WTM this, and we have business activities very quickly with tour operators and travel agents. The team from almost every part of the world have been calling our sales here,” said Minister JIS News.

He said the Expo allowed for interaction among the leaders in the sector, and that the important lessons learned that can be applied to the scenario of Jamaica.

“We have learned, in detail, about the resilience of this industry. Deviating from the recession and the contraction of global tourism, the industry does not pretend to be dead. The people fought through them, spending more and buying better, bringing new values to the table . The way forward for us is a new approach, “he said.

Bartlett said Jamaica would adopt a three tiered approach in order to sustain growth in the industry, by building new markets, partnerships and marketing strategies. He identified the expansion of the brand into new markets, as key to sustainability.

“Business is an important new market to Jamaica, as we diversify into new areas such as China, Brazil and Russia, even as we strengthen the North American market and Western Europe. Tourism has expanded and expanded, and every country in the world is embracing tourism, “he said.

He said that Jamaica’s position itself to take advantage of the growth that will come with advances in the world economy.

“We have to create an infrastructure, in terms of security management airlift, product development and extensive marketing. In order to reach the world, we must embrace technology, including social marketing, and reduce the costs associated with getting a good value,” Bartlett insisted .

He said the WTM 2009 provides a strong indication that the concept of Brand Jamaica to work well, and opened the door for the state.

“Brand Jamaica is very strong. Incredible strength. Here, the WTM has given us entree into the area we never thought possible. This allows us to look after for the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) activity, and we have engaged with the various regional groups and people who, through curiosity, myself have come to us to learn more about Jamaica and the brand and see how they could reach Jamaica, “he said.

Bartlett will meet with the people of Jamaica in London on Friday (November 13), before leaving for China, where he will engage in a series of meetings aimed at attracting investment in the tourism sector in Jamaica.