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Seated, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (C) with Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) (L) and Cynthia Holmes, Dean, Ted Rogers School of Management, TMU. Sharing in the moment are standing L-R, Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Donnette Chin-Loy, Chancellor TMU and Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada. The occasion was the tour of the University to discuss tourism opportunities and partnership.

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Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation to Partner with Toronto Metropolitan University to Elevate Tourism Workforce Development

TORONTO, Canada; Thursday October 8, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, has announced that initial discussions have started to have the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) collaborate to develop comprehensive training and certification programs for tourism professionals across Jamaica. This groundbreaking partnership will aim to strengthen the capabilities of Jamaica's tourism workforce by providing world-class professional development opportunities that align with international industry standards. The collaboration will leverage TMU's extensive expertise in hospitality and tourism education alongside JCTI's deep understanding of the Caribbean tourism landscape. “This partnership represents a significant milestone in our commitment to building a highly skilled, globally competitive tourism workforce,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett. “By working with Toronto Metropolitan University, we're bringing internationally recognized training standards to Jamaica while ensuring our programs reflect the unique strengths of Caribbean hospitality.”

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UN Tourism Secretary-General, His Excellency Zurab Zurab Pololikashvili addresses the 2nd Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference, emphasising the need for increased focus to be placed on boosting job creation and sustainable investments aimed at building tourism resilience, especially for small countries.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Outlines Plans to Boost Job Creation in the Caribbean

Montego Bay, Jamaica; Tuesday, February 20, 2024: UN Tourism Secretary-General H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili has outlined plans to boost job creation and investment in the Caribbean’s tourism industry. Mr. Pololikashvili was a keynote speaker during the just concluded 2nd Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

UN Tourism Partners with Newly Rebranded Global Tourism Resilience Centre

Montego Bay, Jamaica; Monday, February 19, 2024: Jamaica’s position as a leader in tourism resilience building has been further bolstered following the announcement that UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO) has forged a major partnership with the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), which is being rebranded as the Global Tourism Resilience Centre (GTRC). It was also outlined that UN Tourism will continue to partner with Destination Jamaica in hosting the Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference moving forward.

Minister Bartlett to Launch New Book on Global Tourism Resilience Day 2024

Montego Bay, Jamaica; Thursday, February 15, 2024: As preparations intensify ahead of the start of the 2nd Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference, which will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre from February 16-17, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced the launch of a new book on Day 2 of the event entitled, "Decoding the Future of Tourism Resilience.” The conference, which is being hosted in collaboration with UN Tourism (formerly the United Nations World Tourism Organization, UNWTO) and the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), also aligns with the first anniversary of the United Nations’ official declaration of February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day annually.

Second Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference Very Timely

Kingston, Jamaica; Tuesday, February 13, 2024: With only days remaining to the staging of the highly anticipated 2nd Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett believes the event is very timely. The conference will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on February 16 and 17, under the theme, “Navigating the Future of Tourism Resilience.” This significant event coincides with the first anniversary of the United Nations' declaration of February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day annually, a milestone achieved through Jamaica's successful lobbying efforts led by Minister Bartlett.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (2nd L) with Mrs. Encarna Pinero (C), Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Jaime Sitjar (2nd L), both of the Pinero Group at the Group’s stand at FITUR in Madrid, Spain. Joining in the moment are Delano Seiveright (L), Senior Advisor and Strategist and John Lynch, Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (R)

Bartlett Meets With Pinero Group On St. Ann Mega Tourism Project

SPAIN; Madrid; Wednesday January 24, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett met with the owners of the Pinero Group, which owns the prominent Spanish Hotel chain, Bahia Principe, in Madrid, Spain to discuss the status of their multifaceted resort development in St. Ann. The Group owns the Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica, Jamaica’s largest hotel, with 1,350 rooms.

Minister Bartlett Travels to Spain for FITUR Tourism Trade Fair

Kingston, Jamaica; Monday, January 22, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett today (January 22) departed the island for Madrid, Spain, to attend the eagerly awaited annual international travel and tourism tradeshow, FITUR. Slated for January 24-28, 2024, FITUR stands as Latin America's leading travel trade fair, attracting tourism professionals from across the globe.

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