2024年3月15日上午，牙买加驻中华人民共和国大使亚瑟·威廉姆斯出席第十四届北京国际酒店、餐饮及食品饮料博览会开幕式并致辞。

SALUTATIONS:

致意

MR. FANG Aiqing, Former Vice Minister of Commerce of China

中国商务部原副部长房爱卿先生

MR. JIANG Ming, Chairman of China General Chamber of Commerce

中国商业联合会会长姜明先生

Distinguished Guests

各位来宾

I extend greetings and warm wishes to all participants at this 14th Beijing International Hotel & Catering Expo. I am deeply honoured to address you today in my capacity of the Ambassador of Jamaica to the Peoples Republic of China, at this event which showcases the entire supply chain of hotels, catering, and beverages in China.

我谨向出席第十四届北京国际酒店及餐饮业博览会的各位来宾致以诚挚问候和良好祝愿! 今天，我非常荣幸地以牙买加驻中华人民共和国大使的身份，在这个展示中国酒店、餐饮整个供应链的活动上向大家致辞。

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the organizers of this Expo. Their vision in bringing together the key players of the industry under one roof, is truly commendable. It is through such unity and collaboration that we can create stronger and more vibrant hospitality, food and beverage and catering sectors. 

我向本届博览会的主办方表示衷心的祝贺。他们把行业的主要参与者汇聚一堂的远见卓识确实值得称道。正是通过这种团结和合作，我们才能创造更强大、更有活力的酒店、餐饮业。

This gathering represents a unique platform where industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders from around the world, converge to showcase the latest trends, technologies, and services in the hospitality and food and beverage sectors.

本次展会搭建了一个独特的平台，来自世界各地的行业领导者、创新者和利益相关方汇聚一堂，展示酒店和餐饮行业的最新趋势、技术和服务。

Events like this Expo are critically important for the advancement and success of the hotel, catering and food and beverage and tourism industries. They provide a valuable opportunity for professionals to network, exchange ideas, and explore new partnerships that can drive growth and innovation in the respective sectors.

举办像本博览会这样的活动，对于酒店、餐饮、食品、饮料和旅游业的发展与成功至关重要。他们为专业人士提供了一个宝贵的机会可以创建联系、交流想法并寻求新的合作伙伴关系，从而推动各自领域的增长和创新。

It is through such collaboration and knowledge-sharing that we can elevate standards, enhance customer experiences, and ensure the sustainability of the industries for future generations. 

正是通过这种合作和知识共享，我们可以提高标准，改善客户体验，并确保行业的可持续性。

I am proud to share with you the success of Jamaica's hotel, restaurant and tourism sectors in recent years. In 2023 Jamaica received 4.1 million visitors marking a 16 percent increase from the previous year. This growth is a testament to Jamaica's appeal as a premier tourist destination, known for its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and warmth. 

在此，我很自豪地与大家分享牙买加酒店、餐饮和旅游业近年来取得的成功。2023 年，牙买加接待了 410 万游客，比上一年增长了16%。牙买加以其迷人的风景、充满活力的文化和热情而闻名，这种增长见证了牙买加作为首屈一指的旅游目的地的吸引力。

With this growth comes the demand for increased hotel rooms and accommodation.  These accommodations must meet the new demands of our discerning visitors and this Expo is an important outlet providing opportunity for developers, designers and managers to experience new trends, collaborate and engage in business.

随着这种增长，对酒店客房和住宿的需求也随之增加。这些住宿必须满足我们挑剔的游客的新需求。而本届博览会是一个重要的渠道，为开发商、设计师和管理人员提供了体验新趋势、合作和开展业务的机会。

In response to this increasing demand, Jamaica has embarked on an ambitious expansion of its hotel and resort infrastructure, with the development of 8,000 additional hotel rooms in 2022 alone and in 2024 an additional 2,000 rooms are expected to be added. This investment underscores our commitment to providing world-class accommodations and experiences for visitors from around the globe, ensuring that Jamaica remains a top choice for travellers seeking luxury, adventure, and relaxation. 

为了应对这一不断增长的需求，牙买加已开始雄心勃勃地扩建其酒店和度假村基础设施，仅在 2022 年就增加了 8,000 间酒店客房，预计到 2024 年还将增加 2,000 间客房。这项投资凸显了我们致力于为来自世界各地的游客提供世界一流的住宿和体验的承诺，以确保牙买加仍然是寻求奢华、探险和放松的旅行者的首选。

But, as we strive to maintain our premier position in the industry, it is crucial that we continue to foster sustainable growth and excellence. My government has taken strategic steps over the past five years to capitalize on the potential and benefits of gastronomy tourism. 

但是，在我们努力保持行业领先地位的同时，继续促进可持续增长和保持卓越表现至关重要。我国政府在过去五年中采取了战略性措施，以充分利用美食旅游的潜力和好处。

Furthermore, we recognize the pivotal role that gastronomy plays in attracting and delighting tourists. Jamaica has a rich culinary heritage, blending indigenous flavours with influences from around the world, to create a truly unique and mouth-watering gastronomic experience.

此外，我们认识到美食在吸引和取悦游客方面所发挥的举足轻重的作用。牙买加有着丰富的烹饪传统，本土风味融合了来自世界各地饮食的影响，创造了一个真正独特和令人垂涎的美食体验。

Events like the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival now in its seventh year, and the upcoming tenth anniversary of the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival, have become highlights on the gastronomy calendar, showcasing the best of Jamaican cuisine and hospitality to visitors and food enthusiasts alike.  

牙买加蓝山咖啡节现已进入第七个年头，以及即将到来的牙买加食品和饮料节十周年等活动，都已成为美食日历上的亮点，向游客和美食爱好者展示牙买加最好的美食和热情好客之道。

Furthermore, we have placed great emphasis on capacity building for food tour operators and have worked closely with tour operators to develop enticing food tours across our beautiful island. Our goal is to position Jamaica as a leading gastronomy destination, where our food and beverage products, and everything that surrounds them, exude quality, safety, and innovation.

此外，我们还非常重视美食旅游经营者的能力建设，并与旅游经营者密切合作，在我们美丽的岛上开发诱人的美食之旅。我们的目标是将牙买加定位为领先的美食目的地，我们的食品和饮料产品以及围绕它们的一切，都散发着质量、安全和创新的气息。

In February of this year the International Trade Administration of the United States of America reported that Jamaica’s food and beverage market represents strong business opportunities for U.S. suppliers, and I am confident that this is the same for Chinese suppliers. 

今年2月，美国国际贸易管理署（International Trade Administration of the United States of the United States of America）在其报告中称，牙买加的食品和饮料市场对美国供应商来说蕴含巨大商机，我相信这对中国供应商而言亦如此。

Jamaica is turning its attention to the thriving global spice market and is now exploring the potential of increasing the production of ginger, turmeric and pimento, so as to meet burgeoning export requirements. It is my hope that at future editions of this Expo, Jamaican spice suppliers will be ready and able to do business.

牙买加正在将注意力转向蓬勃发展的全球香料市场，目前正在探索挖掘增加生姜、姜黄和甜椒产量的潜力，以满足迅速增长的出口需求。我希望在未来的北京国际酒店和餐饮博览会上，牙买加香料供应商能够做好准备并能够在此开展业务。

In 2023, the top food imports of China from Jamaica were crustaceans to the value of $492,000USD and coffee to the value of $103,000USD.  It is hoped that Jamaica will see increases in these imports in 2024 and that additional products will be imported from Jamaica.  

2023年，中国从牙买加进口的最大类食品是甲壳类，价值49.2万美元，咖啡价值10.3万美元。希望牙买加在2024年看到这些进口的增加，并看到中国将从牙买加进口更多的产品。

I must emphasize the importance of this Expo in connecting suppliers, buyers, and industry professionals. It is here that opportunities for networking, partnership building, and sourcing of goods and services are created.  

我必须强调本届博览会在连接供应商、买家和行业专业人士方面的重要性。正是在这里，为创建联系，创建伙伴关系以及采购商品和服务创造了机会。

Events like this Expo provide a platform for us to address challenges collectively, to share best practices, and to explore innovative solutions that will ensure the continued growth and prosperity of the industries. 

像本届博览会这样的活动为我们提供了一个平台，让我们共同应对挑战，分享最佳实践，并探索创新的解决方案，以确保行业的持续增长和繁荣

I urge all participants to make the most of this Expo, to engage in fruitful discussions, and to forge new and lasting partnerships that will propel our industries to even greater heights.

我敦促所有参与者充分利用这次博览会进行富有成效的讨论，并创建新的和持久的伙伴关系，推动我们的行业更上一层楼。

Thank you for your attention, and I wish you all a successful and productive Expo. 

谢谢各位的关注，预祝本届博览会取得圆满成功！

开幕式结束后，亚瑟·威廉姆斯大使及夫人贾拉·伯纳德-威廉姆斯到各展馆巡馆并与部分参展企业进行互动交流。

After the opening ceremony, Ambassador Arthur Williams and his wife Jala Bernard-Williams went to the pavilions and interacted with some exhibitors.