KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, March 12, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has been named Tourism Minister of the Year – Worldwide by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contribution to global tourism development.

The award was presented recently at the 26th PATWA World Tourism Leaders’ Summit & PATWA International Travel Awards, which celebrates excellence, innovation and leadership within the international travel and tourism industry.

Minister Bartlett’s recognition reflects his longstanding advocacy for tourism resilience, sustainability and innovation, as well as his instrumental role in shaping policies that have strengthened Jamaica’s tourism sector and influenced global best practices.

Minister Bartlett reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the industry and building stronger, future-ready tourism frameworks worldwide. “I have dedicated my career to strengthening tourism as a driver of economic growth, opportunity and global connectivity,” he said. 

“This recognition reinforces the importance of innovation, resilience-building and strategic collaboration in safeguarding the future of tourism. My focus remains on ensuring that the industry continues to evolve in ways that are sustainable, inclusive and responsive to the challenges of a rapidly changing world,” he added.

Under Minister Bartlett’s leadership, tourism has been positioned as a catalyst for sustainable and inclusive growth, through job creation, Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), wealth creation and community transformation. He fervently believes that all Jamaicans should benefit from the success of this major economic earner. 

In this regard, he has championed the development of a social equity ecosystem that will give industry workers a greater sense of accomplishment, achievement and security.

The international accolade further reinforces Jamaica’s reputation as a thought leader in tourism resilience and highlights the country’s continued impact on the global tourism landscape under Minister Bartlett’s stewardship.

The accolade is the latest international award presented to Minister Bartlett by PATWA in recent years. Minister Bartlett’s previous awards include: PATWA Global Tourism Icon Award for outstanding contributions to the tourism industry, in 2024; PATWA International Travel Awards “Lifetime Achievement Award for Promotion of Sustainable Travel & Tourism,” in 2023; and the PATWA Tourism Minister of the Year for Sustainable Tourism Award for 2018.

KINGSTON; Jamaica; Friday March 6, 2026 – Jamaica has secured six major honours at the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) International Travel Awards, including the coveted Destination of the Year title, with S Hotel Jamaica and the Montego Bay Convention Centre also earning top accolades, further reinforcing the island’s standing as a global leader in tourism excellence.

The prestigious honour was presented recently at the 26th PATWA World Tourism Leaders’ Summit & PATWA International Travel Awards, which recognizes excellence, innovation and leadership across the global travel and tourism industry.

Jamaica’s designation underscores the island’s strong tourism performance, strategic global marketing, resilient recovery efforts and continued investment in sustainable development. The award reflects the destination’s ability to deliver authentic cultural experiences, world-class accommodations and warm hospitality, while maintaining its standing as one of the Caribbean’s leading tourism economies.

Jamaica’s sweep at the awards extended beyond the national destination honour. S Hotel Jamaica, the stylish boutique property in Montego Bay, was recognised as one of PATWA’s top accommodation recipients. The Montego Bay Convention Centre (MBCC) also received a prestigious PATWA accolade, affirming its status as a world-class meetings and events venue. Together, these recognitions underscore the breadth and depth of Jamaica’s tourism offerings.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, welcomed the recognition, noting that it is a testament to the collective efforts of Jamaica’s tourism stakeholders. “This award belongs to the people of Jamaica, to our workers, our partners and every stakeholder who contributes to making our island a world-class destination. 

Being named Destination of the Year reinforces that our focus on resilience, innovation and sustainability continues to resonate globally. We remain committed to strengthening our tourism product and ensuring that the benefits of the industry are shared widely across our nation,” said Minister Bartlett.

Director of Tourism, Donovan White, while congratulating S Hotel and MBCC, also underscored the significance of the recognition for Brand Jamaica. “Being named Destination of the Year by PATWA is a significant milestone for Brand Jamaica. It highlights the confidence the international community has in our product and our people. We will continue to innovate and deliver exceptional experiences that inspire travellers from around the world,” said White.

The accolades add to Jamaica’s growing list of international recognitions and reinforce the island’s upward trajectory as a premier global travel destination known for resilience, creativity and authentic experiences — celebrated at every level, from its iconic venues to the destination itself.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, March 5, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, delivered a wide-ranging address recently during a high-level panel discussion on poly-crisis and its impact on the global tourism industry, underscoring both the profound vulnerabilities and remarkable resilience of tourism as the world’s most important economic activity. 

Speaking before an international audience of tourism leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders at ITB Berlin, the Minister emphasised that tourism operates at the intersection of geophysical, climatic, maritime, and political forces — making it uniquely susceptible to global disruption, yet equally capable of recovery and growth.

“We are the most vulnerable of all economic activities on planet Earth,” the Minister stated, “but we also have the capacity to respond, to recover, to bounce forward — not bounce back — and to thrive thereafter.”

The Minister noted that tourism has evolved from a largely social activity into a powerful economic force, now embracing thousands of communities and scores of countries worldwide. This transformation has made the sector’s exposure to poly-crisis both more consequential and more urgent to address from a public policy standpoint.

Addressing the role of tourism in global diplomacy, the Minister described the industry as a fundamental connector of peoples, ideas, lifestyles, and ideologies. “Peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of connection,” the Minister said, stressing that tourism uniquely enables such connectivity across borders and cultures.

The Minister also acknowledged the complex role of religion and politics in either fostering understanding or deepening divisions, calling for collaboration grounded in mutuality and shared human experience. “Our politics can bring us together, and yet our divisions may say no — this is a major crisis we must face,” the Minister observed.

When asked for recommendations to fellow political leaders on building resilience, the Minister placed innovation at the heart of the solution. “Ideas are what drive tourism. Our job as political leaders must be to incentivise ideas, to create the incubator for new ideas, to support new ideas, and ultimately to monetise them,” the Minister said.

The Minister highlighted a flagship national initiative: the establishment of a Tourism Innovation Incubator designed to support young entrepreneurs with bold ideas but limited resources. Through this programme, participants receive mentorship from established industry players, access to seed funding for startups, and the opportunity to test their concepts against real-world market conditions.

“We said: come to us with new thinking on tourism. How do we innovate? How do we use your creativity to drive new experiences?” the Minister explained. “We measure what they bring against established activities, connect them with entrepreneurs and industry drivers, and then support those who want to go further with startup funding,” he added.

The remarks were delivered as part of a panel discussion on poly-crisis, unpredictability, and the future of global tourism, convened to address the mounting convergence of climate, geopolitical, and economic pressures facing the industry.

ITB Berlin (Internationale Tourismus Börse) is the world's leading travel trade show, held annually in Berlin, Germany, since 1966. It acts as a massive B2B platform and networking hub for the global travel industry, showcasing destinations, tour operators, airlines, and hospitality businesses.

Growth powered by Surging arrivals from key LATAM markets and a wave of new routes 

KINGSTON; Jamaica; Friday February 27, 2026 — Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has welcomed the continued record-breaking growth in visitor arrivals from Latin America in 2025 which is being driven by expansion in air seat capacity across the region. The results reflect deepening demand from six primary source markets — Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru — and a robust airline network that continues to grow into 2026.

Jamaica recorded its strongest-ever performance from Latin American markets last year, with total visitor arrivals from the region growing by more than 62,000 passengers compared to the prior year. Peru, Argentina, and Chile each posted particularly notable gains, reflecting growing awareness of Jamaica as a premier Caribbean destination among South American travellers.

“These results are more meaningful than numbers. They reflect the strategic marketing efforts we have employed to deepen partnerships and confidence in the destination. We have been deliberate in tapping into this extremely lucrative market which will help with diversification and increased arrivals and earnings overall,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett.

The results build on a broader regional upswing. Latin America and the Caribbean recorded total air traffic of 477.3 million passengers in 2025 — a 3.8% year-over-year rise — with most of that growth originating from within the region itself. Jamaica is positioned to capitalize on this momentum through strategic airlift and trade partnerships.

“Latin America has surpassed our expectations and is an extremely positive sign of affinity for brand Jamaica. Our island continues to punch above its weight as global interest in our culture and authentic experiences remain at a high,” said Director of Tourism, Donovan White. 

Over the last three years, Jamaica has recorded an 88% increase in arrivals – 31,152 in 2023, 35,252 in 2024 and a whopping 58, 797 last year. Earnings from this market has also increased by 108% from over USD55 million in 2023 to USD116 million last year.

Current scheduled service connecting Latin America to Jamaica includes Copa Airlines operating from Panama City to both Kingston and Montego Bay — with combined weekly frequencies among the highest in the region — alongside LATAM Airlines from Lima and Wingo from Bogotá. All routes are performing at or above target load factors, underscoring the strength of existing demand.

“Our team has been pulling out all the stops to build on this great momentum. We know the value of this market and are determined to leverage more for Jamaica,” said Deputy Director of Tourism, Philip Rose.

Panama continues to serve as a critical aviation hub, with Copa Airlines providing seamless onward connections that effectively extend Jamaica’s reach across the entire Latin American region.

Projections for 2026 and 2027 are also looking extremely strong with 100,000 and 175, 000 arrivals expected respectively. These growing numbers translate to earnings of over USD500 million.

The Minister is leading a small delegation to Columbia and Panama to discuss opportunities to add more cities to Jamaica’s itinerary which will increase seat capacity and strengthen trade and consumer partnerships within the region.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Friday, February 27, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, departed the island earlier this week, for a high-level, multi-country marketing mission spanning South America and Europe, as Jamaica intensifies its strategic thrust to diversify source markets, strengthen airlift and buttress global tourism demand.

The tourism minister is currently in Bogotá, Colombia, where he is leading a three-day Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) marketing blitz across Colombia and Panama, designed to directly accelerate visitor arrivals from Latin America by securing the two critical pillars of tourism growth: airlift and sales. The mission is a targeted, high-impact initiative focused on airline negotiations, trade engagement and market penetration.

On Thursday, February 26, Minister Bartlett held back-to-back strategic meetings with senior executives at Avianca Airlines and Wingo Airlines at their respective headquarters in Bogotá. These discussions were aimed at strengthening partnerships to improve connectivity between Jamaica and key Latin American hubs. The Minister also participated in a working lunch with Jamaica’s Ambassador to Colombia, where discussions focused on diplomatic support for tourism, trade and investment linkages.

The Minister also engaged tourism stakeholders at the ANATO Trade Show, one of Latin America’s most influential travel and tourism exhibitions, providing a platform to promote Jamaica’s tourism product, reinforce travel trade relationships and position the island as a preferred Caribbean destination for Latin American travellers. Minister Bartlett is also slated to meet with high level executives of COPA Airlines on Friday, February 27th at their headquarters in Panama City.

“This mission is about converting interest into action,” said Minister Bartlett. “Latin America is one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets globally. By strengthening airlift arrangements and deepening commercial engagement with airlines and travel partners, we are laying the foundation for sustained visitor growth and long-term market resilience,” he added. 

Following his South American engagements, Minister Bartlett will depart for Berlin, Germany, on Sunday, March 1, to represent Jamaica at ITB Berlin 2026, one of the world’s largest and most influential travel trade shows, scheduled for March 3–5.

While in Berlin, the tourism minister will undertake an extensive programme of high-level engagements. These include a bilateral meeting with the UN Tourism Secretary-General, participation in the UN Tourism Ministers’ Summit under the theme “Empowering Emerging Destinations: From Potential to Performance,” and a featured speaking engagement on polycrisis management in travel, where he will highlight Jamaica’s recovery and resilience following Hurricane Melissa.

Minister Bartlett will also conduct a series of international media interviews with leading travel trade publications and media outlets, engage tour operators and buyers, including a dedicated greeting session with a Chinese delegation of tour operators. He will also attend strategic industry events such as the Tourism Leaders Dinner, the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) World Tourism Leaders’ Summit and International Travel Awards, and an executive dinner with the TUI Group.

“Market diversification is central to Jamaica’s tourism strategy. Our presence in Colombia, Panama and Germany sends a strong signal that Jamaica is open, resilient and ready. These engagements allow us to tell our story directly, build confidence in our recovery, and secure partnerships that will drive arrivals, investment and inclusive growth.”

Minister Bartlett is scheduled to return to Jamaica on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

NAIROBI; Kenya; February 19, 2026 – Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, on Monday, February 16, delivered a powerful call to action for the global tourism community to move ‘From Crisis to Transformation’ as he addressed the opening of the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference and Expo in Nairobi, Kenya.

Hosted in partnership with the Government of Kenya and anchored by the Kenyatta University, the conference convened global tourism leaders, policymakers, academics, and private sector stakeholders to examine the urgent need for building resilience in an era of constant disruption.

Speaking under the conference theme ‘From Crisis to Transformation’, Minister Bartlett outlined the overlapping global challenges reshaping tourism, including climate shocks, health-security threats, geopolitical instability, economic volatility, public safety concerns, cybercrime, and the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation.

“We gather in a time when disruption is no longer occasional, but constant,” Bartlett stated. “Tourism must not merely survive disruption—tourism must be redesigned to withstand it.” He underscored that tourism is uniquely vulnerable because it depends on confidence. When confidence declines, visitor arrivals, jobs, and livelihoods are immediately affected. “Resilience is not optional. It is a discipline—lived, practiced, tested, and renewed,” he said.

A central focus of this year’s address was the accelerating digital threat landscape. Minister Bartlett warned that misinformation and disinformation can inflict economic damage within hours, undermining a destination’s reputation and traveller confidence.

“A false story can empty hotels. A distorted clip can trigger cancellations. Disinformation weaponizes fear,” he noted. He also stressed that cyber threats—such as ransomware attacks, data breaches, and system outages—pose significant operational and reputational risks across the tourism value chain. “Resilience today means defending not only infrastructure, but information space. Not only the physical journey, but the digital journey,” Bartlett said.

Minister Bartlett also renewed his call for the establishment of a Global Tourism Resilience Fund to support the ongoing work of the GTRCMC and its growing international network of resilience Centres. The proposed Fund would finance rapid technical support in times of crisis; strengthen cybersecurity and data protection systems; build misinformation response capabilities; and support research, early warning systems, and resilience dashboards among other areas.

“If resilience is a global priority, it must also have a global financing instrument,” Bartlett declared. “Let us move from speeches to structures. From recognition to resourcing. From applauding resilience to underwriting resilience.”

Minister Bartlett also reflected on the journey toward establishing Global Tourism Resilience Day on February 17 annually, noting that it was built ‘crisis by crisis, lesson by lesson.’ The observance serves as a global checkpoint to ensure preparedness remains central to tourism policy and practice. The annual observance aligns governments, strengthens private sector continuity planning, deepens community safety nets, and empowers research institutions to convert lived experiences into actionable strategies. 

“We are proud of Jamaica’s thought leadership and foresight of our Minister of Tourism which produced the concept of a Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) and ultimately the establishment of Global Tourism Resilience Day,” said Professor Lloyd Walller Executive Director of the GTRCMC.

Minister Bartlett commended Kenya’s forward-thinking leadership in placing research and knowledge at the centre of tourism resilience. He noted that conferences such as the GTRCMC Tourism Resilience Conference play a critical role in turning experience into shared learning, research into practice, and partnership into projects.

For more information about Jamaica and the GTRCMC go to www.visitjamaica.com and www.gtrcmc.org. 

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Friday, February 13, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, departed the island today for Nairobi, Kenya, where he will participate in the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference and Expo (GTRDCE), scheduled for February 15–18, 2026, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

The high-level gathering marks a historic milestone, as it represents the first annual international observation of Global Tourism Resilience Day to be hosted outside of Jamaica, and the first to be staged on the African continent. Global Tourism Resilience Day was officially proclaimed by the United Nations in 2023, following sustained advocacy spearheaded by Minister Bartlett, positioning Jamaica as the global thought leader on tourism resilience.

“This moment is deeply symbolic for Jamaica and profoundly important for the world,” said Minister Bartlett. “What began as an idea born out of Jamaica’s own vulnerabilities and lived experience has now become a global movement. Hosting this event in Africa, and particularly in Kenya, reflects the shared journey of resilience, transformation and opportunity that connects our nations,” he added. 

Kenya’s role as host is strategically significant, as it was among the first countries to establish a satellite location of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), an institution founded and co-chaired by Minister Bartlett, headquartered at The University of the West Indies, Mona. 

The conference and expo, being held under the theme “Tourism Resilience in Action: From Crisis Response to Impactful Transformation,” will bring together heads of government, ministers, global policymakers, academics, industry leaders and development partners to examine how tourism can move beyond recovery into sustainable transformation.

Minister Bartlett will deliver keynote addresses, participate in high-level policy panel discussions, and engage in strategic dialogues focused on resilience governance, investment mobilisation, workforce preparedness, data, artificial intelligence and crisis communications. 

The official opening ceremony on February 16 will be led by Minister Bartlett alongside the Hon. Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary in Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, Professor Lloyd Waller, Executive Director of the GTRCMC and Professor John Okumu, Acting Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University.

A major highlight of the conference will be the official launch of Minister Bartlett’s new book, Destination Reputational Resilience, co-authored with Prof. Waller. “This book speaks directly to the realities destinations now face. Resilience today is not only about physical infrastructure or disaster response, but also about trust, credibility and the ability to defend a destination’s reputation in a fast-moving digital world. Jamaica has lived this, and we are sharing that knowledge globally,” Bartlett noted.

“The publication provides a structured, actionable framework for protecting destinations against emerging digital threats, including cyberattacks, misinformation, disinformation, deepfakes and reputational manipulation,” Prof. Waller explained.

In the foreword to the book, UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nowais underscores the urgency of this new frontier, writing:

“Tourism now operates inside a trust economy that is continuously contested… If we treat reputation as infrastructure, built deliberately, defended intelligently, and restored with proof, then we will safeguard the future of tourism in a world that will not become simpler.”

The Global Tourism Resilience Day observance on February 17 will feature ministerial addresses, expert panels on data-driven crisis prevention and AI, youth and women leadership sessions, and a cultural exchange and awards ceremony celebrating global resilience champions.

Minister Bartlett emphasised that Jamaica’s leadership in this space continues to deliver tangible global and national value, saying: “For Jamaicans, this is proof that our ideas matter, our voice carries weight, and our experience can help shape global solutions. Tourism has become one of the most powerful tools for development, transformation and dignity, and resilience is what ensures it continues to serve our people.”

The conference will conclude on February 18 with field learning excursions showcasing model resilient destinations in Kenya, including urban conservation and heritage sustainability initiatives.

Minister Bartlett is scheduled to return to Jamaica on Saturday, February 21, 2026. 

Excellence Moves to Boost Staff Training and Development 

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Monday, February 9, 2026: Spanish investors in the adults-only Excellence Oyster Bay, one of the most luxurious resorts along the north coast corridor, are set to expand their investment in Jamaica’s tourism industry and triple the property’s room count over the next ten years.

The expansion will commence immediately with a major increase in its very popular Beach Bungalows by the end of 2026. Concurrently, the Spanish investors have committed to ensuring the property has a team of highly trained and satisfied staff and ultimately to recruit a general manager from Jamaica.

An elated Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, shared the news yesterday (February 8) after a tour of the 300-room resort just outside of Falmouth and private discussions with the investors. He then announced that Excellence will be adding another four hotels in the area “to bring some 2,000 rooms all told into the next ten years of our development.”

Minister Bartlett said he was also “excited about the policy for the workers. We had a strong discussion about training and developing the capacity of our workers, not just to offer better service but to increase their credentials so that they can offer their services not only in Jamaica, but anywhere in the world as professionals.”

Emphasizing the importance of staff social security, Mr. Bartlett was pleased with the initiative already underway to retrofit an office complex into 60 rooms for workers by the end of this year at a cost of about US$8 million. Staff accommodation will be expanded as the resort undergoes further development and simultaneously increases the number of employees. The Excellence staff members will also have their own playfield and other social amenities. 

Endorsing Minister Bartlett’s comments, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Excellence, Antonio de Montaner, said: “The most important thing for Excellence, not just here but everywhere in the world, is the employees; they have to be comfortable; they have to be in a good place.” He also stressed the importance of having a well-trained staff, as the finest of hotels cannot function on their own.

“We are so proud to be here in Jamaica; we are in paradise,” he expressed, adding, “Jamaica is something amazing, and we have to make it more and more amazing, and people have to know Jamaica.”

He was elated about the reopening of the hotel within a month and a half after sustaining US$50 million in damage from Hurricane Melissa. Mr. de Montaner outlined that staff members were kept employed, and the hotel is now enjoying over 60% occupancy level with a 42% repeat guest rate. “We’re going to continue working hard to bring people to Jamaica,” he pledged even as he expressed appreciation to the government of Jamaica for its support. 

It was outlined that the plan is to open 50 more rooms on the 200-acre property with 45 additional villas by the end of this year and an additional investment of US$25 million. These exclusive private villas will have 24-hour guest services. Each also comes with butler service, kayaks, private beach area, private swimming pool, and a mini bar. “It’s another step for us and for Jamaica. To do this, we’re going to need good employees, which we already have, but we’re going to train more of them,” said Mr. de Montaner.

Though Excellence Oyster Bay is an adult-only hotel, by the end of 2028 or early 2029, “we want to come here with a new brand called Finest, which is a family brand,” Mr. de Montaner revealed.

Sierra Leone to Amplify Youth Leadership on Global Tourism Resilience Day 2026 

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Wednesday, February 4, 2026: Jamaica and Sierra Leone have reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing global tourism resilience, youth leadership and Africa-Caribbean tourism cooperation, following a special meeting hosted yesterday (February 3) by Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, alongside Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Hon. Nabeela Tunis.

The meeting, held at Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism in New Kingston, examined Sierra Leone’s plans to observe Global Tourism Resilience Day 2026 on February 17 with a youth-focused seminar at the University of Sierra Leone, placing young people at the centre of global conversations on resilience, identity and development. The engagement forms part of Sierra Leone’s declaration of 2026 as the Year of Culture and Creativity.

Minister Bartlett again welcomed Minister Tunis to Jamaica and highlighted the deeper significance of her visit, noting that it went beyond diplomacy to reconnect Africa and the Caribbean through shared heritage and forward-looking collaboration.

“Her visit is not only about bilateral relations, but about reconnecting with the roots of our own diaspora,” Minister Bartlett said. “It continues to emphasise the relationship between the mother continent Africa and the Caribbean, and our commitment to building tourism capacity, resilience and institutional strength across the globe,” he added. 

Minister Bartlett further underscored Jamaica’s leadership in resilience, recalling the country’s role in securing United Nations recognition of February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day annually in 2023. He confirmed that the first international observance outside Jamaica will be hosted in Nairobi, Kenya, on February 17, 2026, with multiple countries activating events worldwide on the same day.

“We are very proud to announce that the first global celebration outside Jamaica will be in Nairobi, Kenya, but Sierra Leone will also add its voice in a meaningful way,” Bartlett noted.

Minister Tunis expressed solidarity with Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa and praised the country’s resilience-driven recovery, while outlining Sierra Leone’s decision to centre its observance on youth empowerment.

“Young people are not products of crisis; they are builders of our future. By hosting this seminar at the University of Sierra Leone, we are creating space for students and young people to speak about what resilience means to them and how it shapes the future global discourse,” Minister Tunis said. 

She added that at least 300 young people are expected to participate and expressed confidence that the observance would evolve into a lasting, impactful initiative. Minister Tunis also confirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to legacy projects, including land already allocated for a Jamaican Cultural Village in Sierra Leone.

In a major additional announcement, Minister Bartlett revealed plans to establish the first Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) satellite location in West Africa, to be inaugurated in Freetown, Sierra Leone, during his attendance at the One Nation Reggae Festival in November 2026.

Executive Director of the GTRCMC, Professor Lloyd Waller, welcomed Sierra Leone into what he described as the global “ecosystem of tourism resilience,” noting that the Centre’s work spans climate resilience, entrepreneurship, wildlife tourism, heritage, geopolitics and emerging cyber threats.

“Tourism is not just a conversation or a wealth generator for a few. It is a development tool – one that creates jobs, supports livelihoods, drives foreign investment and transforms economies. Protecting and enhancing tourism is therefore essential,” he stressed. 

Prof. Waller also shared that the 2026 Global Tourism Resilience Day observance will be a first-ever 24-hour global event, moving across regions from the Middle East to Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and North America, and streamed globally.

Minister Bartlett reinforced the transformational power of tourism, noting its central role in Jamaica’s economic evolution. “Tourism has become the successor bedrock economic activity to sugar. It has done what sugar could not, transforming sleepy villages into major commercial centres like Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril. Because its vulnerabilities are known, its resilience must be celebrated,” Bartlett said. 

The Sierra Leone youth-focused observance will follow Jamaica’s own Youth & Career Expo, jointly hosted by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) on February 13, further reinforcing youth engagement as a cornerstone of tourism resilience.

UN Tourism Names Jamaica Global Resilience Hub                                              

MADRID, Spain; Monday, January 26, 2026: Jamaica closed three days of engagements at FITUR 2026 with measurable momentum behind its tourism rebound: stronger alignment with major hotel partners to speed up reopening timelines, deeper coordination with key airlift and marketing partners, and expanding investor interest in aviation and destination development. The week’s most significant outcome came on Day 3 of the international tourism tradeshow held in Madrid, Spain, when UN Tourism named Jamaica as the Tourism Resilience Hub of the world — a global endorsement of the country’s leadership in crisis readiness and recovery. 

The engagements advanced Jamaica’s strategy to protect livelihoods, restore room stock, strengthen airlift performance, and mobilise investment for resilient infrastructure and destination reimagining, particularly across the eastern and southern parishes.

“Jamaica is not simply recovering—we are rebuilding with purpose,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett. “We are inviting investment from CAF - development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean and private-sector partners to accelerate resilient infrastructure and a reimagined tourism product. Resilience is now the foundation of investor confidence and community protection,” he added.

Jamaica used FITUR to press for faster reopening schedules and stronger worker-support mechanisms as major properties restore inventory. In meetings with Grupo Piñero and Hyatt leadership, Jamaica highlighted the economic drag from the closure of approximately 1,000 rooms in the Montego Bay area and outlined practical requirements to accelerate reopening — including the mobilisation of skilled labour, improved import logistics, and enabling administrative measures. The parties agreed to prioritise earlier timelines where feasible and advanced a follow-up visit to Jamaica involving Hyatt, Bahía and Tortuga interests to confirm reopening schedules by property and explore expansion plans.

In a separate engagement with Bahía Príncipe, Jamaica advanced the Local First strategy to deepen local procurement and increase tourism dollar retention through stronger linkages. Bahía indicated a phased reopening intention of approximately 50% of room stock (about 650 rooms) by May, with the remainder targeted by November, alongside discussions on market communications timed to restore confidence and support occupancy. Jamaica will formally encourage an earlier opening where possible, given the employment and economic implications.

Jamaica also received updates from Royalton on reopening and expansion planning, including measures aimed at protecting workforce continuity and strengthening training and upskilling options during downtime.

With room stock gradually returning, Jamaica also moved to secure tighter airlift and demand-building coordination. In talks with TUI, CEO Sebastian Ebel shared a global outlook shaped by market uncertainty and the company’s expansion into growth corridors including Eastern Europe and South America. Jamaica’s team secured agreement for deeper coordination with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) Europe team, including stronger alignment on digital marketing and emerging platforms.

“Recovery is demand plus supply—inventory must return, but confidence must return faster,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism. “At FITUR we strengthened airlift and marketing alignment in Europe, sharpened our digital focus, and advanced the partnerships that keep Jamaica visible and bookable as rooms come back on stream,” he continued.

TUI also expressed interest in reviewing greenfield hotel investment opportunities, particularly sites close to airports.

Jamaica also advanced investment discussions beyond hotels, including airport modernisation and development opportunities aligned with the Government’s destination reimagining agenda. In an engagement with the Reyes Group, Jamaica reviewed proposals for modernising airport systems and highlighted opportunities including airports in Westmoreland and Clarendon, with follow-up engagement to be advanced at the appropriate ministerial level.

Jamaica also promoted new development opportunities across eastern and southern parishes, consistent with the Government’s strategy to diversify the tourism footprint through sustainable, community-linked projects.

On Day 3, Minister Bartlett presented Jamaica’s tourism recovery case and the need for resilience investment, pointing to national stability and the discipline shown in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, when approximately 1.5 million people were left without basic necessities for nearly 60 days. He also referenced Jamaica’s leadership in establishing February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day, with a proposed observance in Nairobi, Kenya next month.

“UN Tourism’s announcement confirms what we have been building for years: Jamaica is a global centre for resilience thinking and recovery action,” Minister Bartlett added. “As the Tourism Resilience Hub of the world, we will help to shape the tools, partnerships and best practices that enable destinations to recover faster and grow stronger after shocks,” he noted.

In the coming weeks, Jamaica will progress follow-up engagements to accelerate reopening timelines, expand worker-support solutions aligned with sector stability, coordinate investor site visits and project scoping, and advance a resilience-focused financing pipeline with partners including CAF.