Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has urged Jamaica’s hotel staff and other hospitality stakeholders not to lose their good-naturedness in trying to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19.

“While implementing these health and safety protocols, we are being mindful not to overshadow the ‘heart and soul of Jamaica’, which has made us such an attractive destination for locals and visitors alike,” Bartlett said.

Bartlett was explaining the inner workings of the World Travel & Tourism Council ‘Safe Travels’ stamp, which Jamaica received recently and which allows travellers to recognise governments and companies around the world that have adopted health and hygiene global standardised protocols.

In the meantime, Bartlett said that beyond COVID-19, the Jamaica Tourist Board’s ‘Heartbeat of the World’ campaign was leveraging the island’s natural assets to reinforce its position as a global leader among travel destinations, including promoting the island as a wellness destination.

“I believe that in our current COVID-19 world, health will be the new wealth.