In downtown Kingston, a mural depicting the interplay between tourism and peace, aptly named ‘Tourism and Peace: Out of Many, One Love’, was proudly unveiled on Peters Lane by the Jamaican Ministry of Tourism. The colourful artwork has added another layer of cultural depth to Kingston and was revealed to the public as part of the celebrations of Tourism Awareness Week 2024.
The mural is a collaborative creation by Sheldon Blake, the lead artist, and his assistant artist, Rohan Cargill. Their imaginative artwork conveys the richness of Jamaican culture, spotlighting its lively music genres and exotic fruits. In addition, the mural also emphasises the importance of local craft vendors and features popular tourist spots such as Devon House and the Rio Grande’s rafting experiences, all integral parts of the thriving Jamaican tourism industry.
The mural, which aims to bring people collectively together, was discussed by Edmund Bartlett, the Tourism Minister. However, it was Jennifer Griffith, Permanent Secretary in The Ministry, who relayed the minister’s heartfelt message to the audience. Besides appreciating the mural’s beauty, the Minister underscored the mural’s profound significance, stating that it serves as a visual allegory of how tourism could break down barriers, heal divides and celebrate multicultural diversity.
According to Minister Bartlett, the mural epitomises the enduring strength of Jamaica’s tourism product and its essential role in fostering peace, both on a local and global scale. The artwork, intimately woven with glimpses of the country’s history, culture and people, stands as a potent reminder of the foundation upon which Jamaica’s booming tourism industry is built.
Furthermore, Jennifer Griffith noted that Jamaica’s tourism sector has shown remarkable resilience amid a myriad of challenges like travel advisories, natural threats like Hurricane Beryl and constraints concerning airlift. Preliminary figures reveal that the nation has greeted an astounding number of around three million stopover and cruise visitors since the start of the year, raking in roughly US$3 billion.
Griffith further expressed optimism, stating that Jamaica is currently performing marginally better than the previous year and remains well on track with their goal of hosting five million visitors and amassing US$5 billion in earnings by 2025. Moreover, these noteworthy achievements prove the sustained recovery and strength of the tourism sector, adding to the island nation’s global allure.
In the discussion on the role of tourism, Griffith highlighted that tourism is not only a significant economic driver for Jamaica but also a bridge towards peace, understanding, and collaboration. The nation’s tourism agenda places a high emphasis on ensuring the industry’s growth and the protection of Jamaica’s cultural and natural treasures that render it truly unique.
Adding her voice to the conversation, Janet Crick, Deputy Director of Kingston Creative, praised the new mural, which has joined the over 100 murals already gracing the downtown district. Once dismissed areas are now vibrant attractions, teeming with locals and tourists enjoying the stunning depictions of Jamaica’s rich history, heritage, and culture. The mural, paying homage to the ever-important tourism industry, stands as a testament to the country’s potential and its significance to the Jamaican island.
