Eliana Willis

Jamaica’ s Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett commends the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) for its 94% success rate of certification in 2022. This was announced during a mid-year performance review session for the Tourism Ministry and its public bodies, held on Friday (August 26) at Sandals Royal Plantation resort in Ocho Rios.
“The performance of our hospitality workers in the JCTI this year is truly remarkable. We are very proud of our hospitality workers who have prioritised certification and have performed above average. It indeed proves that the JCTI continues to be the primary platform to build a quality tourism workforce that can access attractive jobs that offer decent work, social protection, and upward social mobility,” said the Minister.

The announcement was made by Dr. Carey Wallace, Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), who noted that from April to August 2022, 94% of candidates who participated in certification programmes with the TEF’s Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) division were successfully certified.
He added that during the period, 1262 students participated in a number of training programmes and 1195 of them successfully passed their exams with a grade of at least 70%. ADVERTISEMENTThe JCTI, which is a division of the TEF, is tasked specifically with facilitating the development of Jamaica’s valuable human capital and supporting innovation for the tourism sector.
“The JCTI will be crucial as we continue to recover from the pandemic’s effects. It contributes to our aim of developing a strong local capacity with an unrelenting dedication to quality by facilitating tourist workforce certification,” said Bartlett.
“Furthermore, as we ‘Build Forward Stronger’ from the pandemic through the implementation of our Blue Ocean Strategy, the focus is on attracting a diverse set of visitors seeking a uniquely Jamaican experience, leveraging local supply and tourism experiences, and creating an even more resilient, safe, and sustainable future.,” he added.
JCTI was founded in 2018 and is made possible by strategic relationships with the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA), Human Employment and Resource Training-National Service Training Agency Trust (HEART-NSTA Trust), National Restaurants Association (NRA) owners of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) and the American Culinary Federation (ACF).
It offers a variety of supervisory and middle management certification programmes, including Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS), Certified Sous Chef (CSC), Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE), Certified Hospitality Housekeeping Executive (CHHE) and Certified Hospitality Trainer (CHT)
The JCTI also delivers the Hospitality and Tourism Management programme, an initiative for high schools in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Youth. Graduates of this programme are prepared to work in entry-level positions in industry and commerce.
During the retreat, it was revealed that the third cohort of the HTM programme will include 350 high schools from schools across the island.

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Thailand expects to get 400 billion baht (USD 10.9 billion) from Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in the second half of 2022. This is post easing of most Covid-19 restrictions and increase in the number of leisure tourists coming to the destination.About 7.5 million international travellers are expected to travel to tourist hotspots such as Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui between July and December, a 1,840 per cent jump from a year earlier, according to Rachada Dhnadirek, a deputy government spokesman. That will propel the full-year arrivals to 10 million, she said.
Thailand, like most tourism-reliant countries, is benefiting from a rebound in global travel demand with authorities scrapping all pandemic-era restrictions that kept visitors out for almost two years. The better-than-expected recovery in tourism has prompted the central bank and other government agencies to raise estimates on arrivals, helping cushion the blow to South-east Asia’s second-biggest economy from multi-year high inflation and slowing exports.
“Government incentives and measures will further accelerate the recovery in the country’s tourism industry,” said Rachada Still, a persisting Covid outbreak, Ukraine-Russia tension and inflation are seen as key obstacles for Thailand’s tourism recovery, she added.
The return of holidaymakers has also fuelled registration of new tourism-related businesses. Almost 550 new businesses sought permission in the first seven months, up 169 per cent from a year earlier, Rachada said, citing the commerce ministry’s data.

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The Los Cabos Tourism Trust (FITURCA) reports a steady pace in the destination’s tourism recovery. June saw a 24 percent increase in the influx of domestic and international passengers to the San Jose del Cabo airport compared to the same period in 2019.The airport received just over 300,000 new visitors who enjoyed the wide range of activities and luxury accommodations that this destination offers.
The positive inertia in visitor arrivals during the first half of the year stems from an outstanding growth of 21.7 percent in domestic tourist arrivals (102,300 passengers) and 25.2 percent in passengers from international flights (198,600). These figures register an approximate increase of 18,300 and 40,000, respectively, compared with the same period in 2019Additionally, during June, the arrival of 8,725 international tourists was recorded through private aviation, which represents an increase of 87 percent compared to 2019.
It is worth noting that, in the accumulated time from January to June, Los Cabos recorded an increase in domestic passenger arrivals of 34 percent compared to 2019, mainly coming from Mexico City (50 percent), Guadalajara (13.5 percent), and Tijuana (19.1 percent). In terms of passengers flying from the United States, an increase of 22 percent was recorded, originating from Los Angeles (23 percent), Dallas (16 percent), and Phoenix (14.7 percent). There was also a positive trend in private flight arrivals, with 81 percent.

“The results achieved during this period derive from three axes that have allowed Los Cabos to maintain this steady pace in its recovery: 1) the continuous attention and follow-up to the implementation of health safety protocols that provide confidence to visitors to enjoy the destination, 2) the constant communication to inform about the vast tourist and service offer we have, and 3) the innovation in the offer of activities and accommodations, which based on current travel trends, positions us as a destination that is attentive and responsive to the needs of the new traveler,” commented Rodrigo Esponda, general director of the Los Cabos Tourism Trust.ADVERTISEMENTRegarding hotel activity, the average rate maintained its growth by standing at $417, $147 more (+54 percent), and a RevPAR of $317; that is, $128 more (+67 percent) over 2019.
Los Cabos has been characterized as a safe destination. According to the most recent exit survey, traveler perception in this matter remains with a favorable rating during June. This yields positive results in the rates of tourists who repeat their visit to the destination and present an increase of 4 percent (43 percent) compared to the same period in 2019.Regarding growth estimates from July to December, Los Cabos maintains its development expectations by scheduling additional airline seats by more than 52 percent for the domestic market, with Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Tijuana as the leading issuers, followed by Monterrey. In the international market, led by the United States, 1.18 million additional seats are expected to be scheduled, an increase of 40.3 percent compared to the same period in 2019.
In sum, with the start of operations of the first direct flight from Madrid to Los Cabos, operated by Iberojet, an increase is also expected in the attraction of Spanish and European visitors. This strategy will allow the development of these markets, for which 4,000 seats have been programmed for the remaining months of the year, thus expanding the destination’s incursion into new markets.
Through the tourism promotion actions led by FITURCA, in collaboration with industry stakeholders and local authorities, the second half of 2022 will be a crucial moment towards achieving this critical objective that will strengthen the positioning of Los Cabos among travelers with high purchasing power, as one of the premier luxury destinations in Mexico.

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Tennessee tourism generated $24.2 billion in domestic and international travel spending in 2021, according to recently released economic impact data from U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics. It also marks the largest visitor spending nationally in Tennessee’s history. Travelers in Tennessee spend an estimated $66 million per day. Travel in Tennessee generated $1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue. Travel and tourism is also the third largest employer in the state.Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell highlighted efforts to continue the industry’s strong recovery.“Tourism drives economic development and job creation so that every Tennessean can thrive,” said Gov. Lee. “Our decision to prioritize strong recovery has yielded record levels of tourism growth, and we continue to welcome visitors to see all Tennessee has to offer, from the Mississippi River to the Great Smoky Mountains.”“Tennessee is crushing it with the largest visitor spending national market share for Tennesseans in our history,” said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “Tennessee is one of the top travel destinations in the world because of our tremendous assets including our unmatched scenic beauty, diverse cities, and small towns, as well as our world class attractions, music, cultural and historical sites. We’re so grateful to this industry and our partners and blessed visitors come experience these destinations and support local businesses, local restaurants and local lodging and support communities.”Key Highlights from 2021 report:

• Tennessee tourism generated a record $24 billion in domestic travel spending• Travel and tourism is the third largest employer in TN in 2021• Travelers in Tennessee spend an estimated $66 million per day. Visitor spending in Tennessee increased by 44.4%, year over year. Visitor spending nationally increased by 35.7%, year over year• All 95 counties saw an increase in visitor spending over 2020• 51 counties fully recovered and exceeded their 2019 visitor spending record• Nine counties experienced more than 40% growth in year-over-year travel spending, including Davidson, Cheatham, Sevier, Union, Polk, Grundy, Knox, Blount and Hamilton• Five counties experienced more than 40% growth over 2019 travel spending, including: Cheatham, Union, Lake, Hickman and Meigs• Travel in Tennessee generated $1.9 billion in state and local tax revenue in• Travel-generated tax revenue generated by tourism saved each Tennessee household $755.41 in state and local taxes last yearLeisure & Hospitality Industry Highlights• Leisure & hospitality industries supported 317,000 jobs in 2021, an 8% increase• Leisure & hospitality industries supported 317,000 jobs in 2021, an 8% increase from 2020 and 91% of 2019 levelsfrom 2020 and 91% of 2019 levels• Leisure & hospitality revenues have recovered to record levels and outpaced inflation• Leisure & hospitality employment has returned to pre-pandemic levels but still struggles to keep up with travel demand• Average leisure & hospitality wages have surged as the industry competes for a limited number of workers. Leisure & hospitality wages increased to $17.71 in June 2020, compared to $14.14 in 2020.The 2021 Economic Impact on Travel Report includes county data and comprehensive models of the economic impact of spending by industry. Partners and media can utilize the new online interactive dashboard for the latest state and county information. Economic Impact on Travel Report booklets will be handed out at the Governor’s Conference on Hospitality & Tourism Sept. 28-30 in Memphis.The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development works with the Tennessee Tourism Committee, local convention and visitors’ bureaus, chambers of commerce, city and county leaders, tourism attractions and the hospitality industry in all 95 counties to inspire travel to the state.

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