Eye on Travel

Radio Guest List—UNWTO Global Tourism Conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica—December 9, 2017

Locations in this article:  New York City, NY

This week, Peter Greenberg Worldwide broadcasts from the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) Global Tourism Conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The conference focuses on sustainable tourism in a world filled with disruptions. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, joins the show to discuss the prevailing geographical ignorance about the Caribbean, even though it’s one of the biggest tourism regions in the world. Carlos Vogeler, Executive Director for Member Relations at the World Tourism Organization, discusses the challenges facing the tourism industry and how key players are leading the charge in preparing for the threat of disasters from natural causes, tourism, or pandemic events. Hugh Riley, Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, speaks to the biggest issues facing the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the most pressing being resources. He believes that as the most tourism-dependent region in the world, the Caribbean should also be the most tourism competent, and he unpacks what that means. There’s all of this and more as Peter Greenberg Worldwide broadcasts from United Nations World Tourism Organization Conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Click here to listen to the show streaming from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 9, 2017.

Have a travel question? Ask Peter. Call 888-88-PETER (888-88-383), email him at peter@petergreenberg.com, or tweet your questions to @petersgreenberg (include #AskPeter).

Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, discusses the geographical ignorance about the Caribbean, even though it’s one of the biggest tourism regions in the world. He also speaks about the push to get Chinese and long-haul travelers to go beyond the North American market and visit the island.

Carlos Vogeler, Executive Director for Member Relations at the World Tourism Organization, discusses the challenges facing the tourism industry and how key players are leading the charge in preparing for the threat of disasters—from natural causes, tourism, or pandemic events.

Prime Minister of St. Lucia Allen Chastanet talks about the power of Southwest Airlines’ expansion into Caribbean markets and how it heralds good news for customers and tourism boards alike.

Hugh Riley, Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, discusses the biggest issues facing the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the most pressing being resources. He believes that as the most tourism-dependent region in the world the Caribbean should also be the most tourism competent, and he unpacks what that means.

Brianda Lopez, Sustainability Manager at Hostelling International, discusses the booming world of youth hostels, which are committed to providing affordable housing to young travelers. She talks about the loosening age regulations in the industry and how that’s leading to more than 35 million overnights a year.

Donald Hawkins, Professor of Tourism Policy at George Washington School of Business, discusses walkability as it relates to traveling. He sights the Highline in Manhattan as a successful example of a walkable urban space. He also discusses what he sees as the future of tourism, and weighs in on Airbnb’s effect on the hotel industry.

Kevin Fertig, Director Of Business Development for ALLCOT Americas, discusses the market trend in tourism moving toward more sustainable greenhouse gas management and his role helping navigate this push.

Roberta Atzori, Assistant Professor of the Sustainable Hospitality Program at California State University Monterey Bay, discusses the principles of sustainable development, which include economic sustainability, social and cultural sustainability, and environmental sustainability. She speaks about how the program champions what it teaches with local hotels and attractions.

Salli Felton, CEO of The Travel Foundation, discusses the Foundation’s Jamaica program, which is aimed at increasing the spread of revenue outside of the main tourist areas to the rest of the country’s population. The group provides great information on local culture and attractions to lure tourists out of resorts.

By Mara Marski for PeterGreenberg.com