Usain Bolt invited to serve as a special World Tourism Organization ambassador

Usain Bolt’s dominant career has had a significant impact on Brand Jamaica

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has revealed that recently retired track legend Usain Bolt – the world’s fastest man – has been invited to serve as a special ambassador for the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

The invitation was extended to Bolt to attend the UN World Tourism Organization/Government of Jamaica and World Bank Group conference – Global Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth through Sustainable Tourism.

“The conference, taking place November 27 – 29, 2017 at the Montego Bay Convention Center in St James, Jamaica, will kick-start discussions for forming public-private partnerships in the spirit of sustainable tourism for development, as less than half a percent of global funding went to tourism last year,” the JTB said.

“Worldwide, tourism provides 1 in every 11 jobs, and is particularly vital in Caribbean countries,” it added, stating that, in Jamaica, the tourism industry employs as many as 1 in 5 people.

“In the same way that Usain Bolt’s dominant career has had a significant impact on Brand Jamaica and the island-nation’s tourism product, his role as a UNWTO ambassador will further emphasize the importance of this initiative worldwide, and especially in the Caribbean,” the JTB continued.

Compelling Advocate

According to the JTB, it is “vital that the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development ambassadors can encourage positive change in policies and business practices, as well as educate consumers about the importance of sustainable tourism.”
“Bolt’s international celebrity ensures he is a compelling advocate who can advance the mission of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development,” the JTB said.

With Bolt’s status as an internationally renowned athlete, the JTB said he makes for a “compelling advocate, capable of both inspiring younger generations to support sustainable tourism to development and engaging stakeholders in fostering positive change in policies, business practices and consumer behavior”.

This will be the first UNWTO conference held in the Caribbean, “and the addition of Bolt as an ambassador will further solidify this Jamaican-led effort”, said the JTB. -(CMC)