The Tourism and Hospitality Industry represents the largest economic sector within the Caribbean. Current estimates suggest that the total annual value is US$40 billion. The University of the West Indies being the largest repository of intellectual resource in the CARICOM Region, in recognition of the benefits that will flow from greater collaboration between the UWI and this sector, has established a Tourism and Hospitality Unit (THU) in the Mona School of Business. The primary purpose of this unit is to deepen the relationship between UWI and the Tourism and Hospitality Industry.

In pursuance of this objective, this year's academic conference is being seen as a major vehicle for bringing into focus, some of the issues that are of interest to the industry. This year's theme, Tourism; the Driver of Change in the Jamaican Economy, underscores the importance the University places on Tourism and has developed a programme which it is hope will bring both academics and practitioners to that place where we can examine current problems and opportunities with the view to fostering social and economic growth for Jamaica, and the broader Caribbean as a whole.