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. 

Underscoring the importance of building the resilience of tourism in the Caribbean, he stated: “We need presence; we need to support families whose income is only from tourism and agriculture, and fishing.” That’s why, he said, with the support of ministers present, “I promise all Jamaicans and all Caribbeans that we’ll be here talking about how to develop the tourist industry and how to create new jobs.”

The Secretary-General underscored that jobs were crucial, as well as education, stressing that UN Tourism would be focusing more on job creation and investments. He added that: “We need more money here, more foreign direct investments in the region.” While promising that more would come, he warned that “it’s not easy, it takes time.”

The conference was jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism, UN Tourism (formerly the United Nations World Tourism Organization, UNWTO), and the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), which is being rebranded as the Global Tourism Resilience Centre (GTRC), under the theme, “Navigating the Future of Tourism Resilience.”

Also speaking at the event, which ran from February 16-17, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett said, “understanding the impact and the role that tourism is going to play in how the world changes and morphs into the future is important for us as we try to bring the next generation into an understanding of this great economic activity called tourism.”

Underscoring the importance of the industry, Mr. Bartlett said it was now regarded as one of the fastest ways of transferring wealth, arguably from the rich to the poor. 

“So, tourism, in that space, has now become the main driver of this process of building capital across the world, and the value of tourism is that it is not really extracted. It can be but it is not; it adds value every step of the way and it encourages creativity and innovation,” he said.

Minister Bartlett also posited that tourism responded to the demands of people in a holistic way “so that anyone and almost everyone, can benefit from tourism activity.”

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.

The announcements were made jointly by Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett and UN Tourism Secretary-General H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili as they marked the second annual observance of Global Tourism Resilience Day (February 17) at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

Minister Bartlett said while Jamaica has played a pivotal role in getting February 17 designated Global Tourism Resilience Day, other countries had been an important part of the initiative. Announcing the next step, Minister Bartlett said: “Now we will be establishing the Centre as a global entity in partnership with UN Tourism. We are also announcing the establishment of a Caribbean Tourism Academy, which the UN is going to work with us on as part of their global network.” 

He noted that this will pattern academies located in Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland and Uzbekistan with another to be established in Brazil. The Jamaican academy will serve the Caribbean region. 

Mr. Pololikashvili said the next move would be “to create a Tourism Resilient Fund to continue the legacy of the GTRC,” which will continue to have its headquarters in Kingston. The establishment of the fund was proposed by Minister Bartlett at last year’s staging of the event.

Meanwhile, Minister Bartlett also disclosed that he would be having bilateral talks with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Tourism in charge of International Affairs, Sultan Mohammed Al Musallam “to discuss other areas of collaboration between Jamaica, the Caribbean and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

As part of the Global Tourism Resilience Day celebration, participants also heard from Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson-Smith and Sultan Al Musallam.

There was also an in-depth presentation by Mr. Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki, Resident Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on the topic: “Towards a Framework Document for the Future of Tourism Resilience: Findings from the JICA/GTRCMC Tourism and Resilience Futures Workshop.”

The day’s activities were held on day two of the 2nd Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference, which explored various facets of the industry worldwide through the minds of numerous experts and ran from February 16-17, 2024 under the theme, “Navigating the Future of Tourism Resilience.” The conference is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Tourism, UN Tourism and the GTRC.

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.

Speaking in a press briefing recently, Executive Director of the GTRCMC, Professor Lloyd Waller, who co-authored the publication with Minister Bartlett, highlighted that their latest book covers emerging trends in tourism, including space travel and tourism, and how small island developing states can position themselves to benefit. He noted that: “This book is the result of five years of extensive conversations between Minister Bartlett and myself. It represents our commitment to codify these ideas and establish Jamaica as a thought leader in global tourism.”

With the start of the conference fast approaching Prof. Waller outlined the four critical themes that will be explored during the 2-day event: digital resilience, infrastructure resilience, funding tourism resilience, and women in tourism.

Sharing his perspective on the relevance of high-level discourse around issues particularly related to building digital resilience in tourism, Minister Bartlett said: “This conference delves into the intricate relationship between AI, virtual technology, and the tourism sector. It's crucial to understand how the power of people to manipulate machine intelligence and learning will impact their relevance within the labour market. We will also examine how emerging business models, such as the sharing economy, are reshaping the landscape of tourism.” 

He noted that other noteworthy aspects of the conference include the first visit of UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili to the English-speaking Caribbean. The event also commemorates Jamaica's achievement of joining Nigeria as the only developing countries to successfully lobby for the declaration of a Global Day of Recognition around tourism.

Furthermore, Minister Bartlett stressed that the conference would facilitate discussions related to education and human capital development in the tourism sector regionally, with the goal of establishing the first-ever Caribbean Tourism Academy. The conference will also host the inaugural Global Tourism Resilience Awards on the final day, honouring the top 5 tourism leaders across the Caribbean who demonstrated resilience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

In light of this, Minister Bartlett expressed confidence in Jamaica's tourism trajectory, adding, "Jamaica remains on track to meeting our targets of welcoming 5 million visitors and earning US$ 5 billion by 2025. With a 42% repeat business rate and performance figures trending 9% ahead of 2023 for the year already, confidence in Destination Jamaica remains high."

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.

Mr. Bartlett reiterated the timeliness of the conference, stating: “We would have seen first-hand the far-reaching impact of rising sea levels just a few days ago along Jamaica’s north coast as well as in other islands. Incidentally, the conference being in Montego Bay, which was also affected, provides a crucial opportunity to address issues related to climate change and resilience building in tourism. Now more than ever, we must unite to find sustainable solutions that safeguard our industry and destinations.”

The conference, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Tourism, UN Tourism (formerly the United Nations World Tourism Organization, UNWTO), and the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), promises two days of insightful discussions, engaging panels, and distinguished speakers.

The conference kicks off with an Opening Ceremony featuring Keynote Speaker UN Tourism Secretary-General H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili. Day one will see several engaging panel discussions starting with a session on “Building Tourism 'Digital' Resilience.” The panel will explore the changing landscape of the tourism sector in the digital age. Participants will include Senator the Hon. Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Skills and Digital Transformation; Natalia Bayona, UN Tourism Executive Director; Mr. Cordel Green, Executive Director, Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica; Dr. Luz Longsworth, Senior Corporate Director, Sandals Corporate University; Mr. Dushyant Savadia, Founder and CEO, Amber Group, Mr. Devon Bryan, Chief Information Officer, Carnival Corporation as well as Mr. Eric Sutfin, Founder & CMSO - ZEAL.

This will be followed by a stimulating conversation on “Building Tourism 'Infrastructure' Resilience.” This session will focus on enhancing resilience in various tourism sectors. Speakers will include Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green; Dr. Carey Wallace, Executive Director, Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF); Wade Mars, Executive Director, Tourism Product Development Company Limited (TPDCo); Professor Andrew Spencer, President, Caribbean Maritime University (CMU); Ms. Alicia Montalvo, Manager of Climate Action and Positive Biodiversity, CAF - Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean and Mr. John Byles, Managing Partner at Chukka Caribbean Adventures.

Additionally, there will be an insightful session on “Women in Tourism Resilience.” This thought-provoking panel will highlight the vital role of women in building tourism resilience. Speakers will include Ms. Jennifer Griffith, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism; Ms. Gloria Fluxà, Vice-Chair of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Chair of its Sustainability Committee; Ms. Sheila Johnson, Co-founder of BET, CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts; Dr. Shakira Maxwell, Senior Research Fellow, Gender, Policy and Tourism Resilience Strategies, GTRCMC and Dr. Lisa Indar, Director, Surveillance Disease Prevention and Control Division at the Caribbean Public Health Agency.

The fourth and final panel discussion will focus on “Funding Tourism Resilience” and will delve into international strategies for financing resilience building. Participants will include Minister Bartlett and his colleague Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke; Mrs. Nicola Madden-Greig, President, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association; Mr. Oscar Avalle, Country Representative, El Salvador and Northern Caribbean, CAF; Mr. Ibrahim Ayoub, Director, International Tourism and Investment Conference; Ms. Nataliya Mylenko, Lead Economist for the Caribbean, World Bank and Hon. Kenneth Bryan, Minister of Tourism and Ports for the Cayman Islands and Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). 

The second and final day will see the official observance of Global Tourism Resilience Day 2024, which will entail a Keynote presentation from Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, who will be joined by international speakers from Malaga, Spain, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia.

This will be followed by a high-level Ministerial Round Table with the UN Tourism Secretary-General, Mr. Pololikashvili and will include global representatives from the City of Malaga, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Brazil, Barbados, Burkina Faso and Senegal. Ministers Bartlett and Bryan will also be among those adding valuable insights to the discussions. 

The conference concludes with the inaugural Global Tourism Resilience Awards Gala.

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.

The meeting follows a formal presentation of their development plans to the Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness and other officials last year, at the Office of the Prime Minister. The project will be one of the largest resort and real estate projects ever executed in the Caribbean and Latin America.

The Minister was joined by Encarna Pinero, CEO of the Pinero Group and senior tourism officials, John Lynch, Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, Delano Seiveright, Senior Advisor and Strategist and Fiona Fennell, Public Relations and Communications Manager, Jamaica Tourist Board. The project represents a massive expansion of their existing Bahia Principe product in St. Ann to include new Hotels, Villas, a PGA certified 18-hole golf course, a state-of-the-art fisherman’s village, farms, modern employee residences, educational facilities among other facilities and amenities. 

“This is a mega development that will increase Jamaica’s tourism offerings to attract more visitors to the island. It will be a great mixture of hotel rooms and Villas that will create over 14,000 short term and long-term jobs, which will mean more economic and social benefits for the country and at the community level,” said Minister Bartlett.

“The expansion will be a game changer for Jamaica’s tourism and help us be prepared for the influx of visitors expected to the island. It also shows the confidence that our hotel partners have in the destination,” added Mr. Bartlett.

Bartlett is leading a small delegation of Tourism officials at FITUR 2024, in Madrid, Spain, a major tourism fair with 8,000 exhibitors, 130 countries represented and over 300,000 attendees. It represents one of the largest gatherings of tourism professionals globally and is the leading fair for Latin America's receptive and issuing markets.

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.

“FITUR marks the first major appointment of the year for tourism professionals, particularly those from Latin America and the Caribbean. It's a forum to forge connections, share insights, and explore new opportunities in the dynamic tourism arena,” noted the tourism minister. 

Over the next few days, Minister Bartlett's itinerary in Spain will be packed with key engagements. He will lead the Jamaican delegation in a high-level meeting with the CEO of Grupo Pinero, operators of the Bahia Principe hotels and resorts, Mrs. Encarna Pinero, along with senior members of her team, Ms. Paqui Benitez and Jaimie Sitjar.

Following this, Minister Bartlett will attend the FITUR opening ceremony, which will be presided over by Their Majesties King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain. The Minister will then attend a special reception for the ministers of tourism at the Fairgrounds as well as a meet & greet session for international tourism ministers.

Mr. Bartlett is also slated to attend a welcome reception, which will be hosted by Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili and the Executive President of CAF - Development Bank of Latin America, Sergio Díaz-Granados.

Reflecting on the significance of FITUR, Minister Bartlett highlighted the many investment and networking opportunities it presents, adding, “Jamaica anticipates over 3 million stopover visitors in 2024, and FITUR provides an invaluable platform to showcase our offerings, strengthen partnerships, and explore avenues for sustainable growth.”

During his visit, Minister Bartlett will meet with representatives of Edelweiss Air, a Swiss airline, and Sunwing Vacations from Canada. 

Minister Bartlett will also participate in several engagements with Spanish media, including an interview with RNE, a Spanish public radio station; Cinco Dias, a key financial newspaper and ABC Natural, a leading newspaper on the environment and sustainability. He will also participate in a special interview with Onda Cero – Gente Viajera, a prominent radio travel program in Spain.

Additionally, the Minister will participate in an interview with Hola Viajes, discussing Destination Jamaica's nature, food, culture, and lifestyle. Minister Bartlett will also attend the Inverotel Traditional Work Breakfast, marking the final day of his engagements in the southwestern European country. Mr. Bartlett is set to return to the island on Saturday, January 27, 2024.

Kingston, Jamaica; Friday, January 19, 2024: Following a productive courtesy call between the Ministry of Tourism and World Bank representatives on Tuesday (January 16), Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has reported steady strides regarding the Ministry’s Multi-Dimensional Impact Assessment Study, which will evaluate the economic impact as well as other implications of adding 20,000 new hotel rooms over the next 10 years.

The meeting, led by World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean, Lilia Burunciuc, saw the team providing insights into their ongoing study titled “Future of Tourism in the Caribbean.” This study aims to empower regional markets to enhance competitiveness, improve connectivity, and overcome barriers to tourism growth. 

Expressing optimism about the Ministry’s progress on its research targets, Minister Bartlett said, “We are well advanced with getting the consultants on board; we’ve sent out requests for proposals, we’ve had responses, and the team will shortly be evaluating the responses to determine who the consultants will be to begin this project.” The procurement process for the study closes on January 25.

The World Bank team expressed keen interest in contributing to environmental and sustainability analyses for the study. They commended Jamaica for its robust data collection efforts, significantly aiding their research.

Minister Bartlett noted, “This critical assessment is being undertaken to make sure that this expansion is inclusive and that more and more of the benefits and revenue of the industry stay in our country.”

He further explained the expected impact, adding, “We expect over 3 million stopover visitors, which will result in a one-to-one visitor-to-citizen ratio. This means that the flow-through effect of tourism as an economic activity will now be felt by the average Jamaican.”

The tourism minister stressed the importance of supplying the demand that tourism brings, which includes building the capacity to produce more agricultural goods, more manufacturing goods, provide more services, and create more unique experiences for visitors. He underscored that the study aims to enable stakeholders to understand the resources required to make these changes happen.

Minister Bartlett concluded, “When we bring 20,000 new rooms to Jamaica, what will it mean? That is the basis of the Multi-Dimensional Impact Assessment.”

The World Bank’s “Future of Tourism in the Caribbean” study, initiated in response to COVID-19, recognizes tourism as the main driver of the economic future of the Caribbean. Jamaica’s Multi-Dimensional Impact Assessment Study aligns with this vision, assessing the sector's carrying capacity, required skillsets, labour market arrangements, and the overall impact on the country’s economy.

Kingston, Jamaica; Thursday, January 18, 2024: A special delegation from the United States, led by Ambassador Rena Bitter, the US State Department’s Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, alongside His Excellency Nick Perry, US Ambassador to Jamaica, and Sara Minkara, Special Advisor on International Disability Rights, held high-level discussions with Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett as they explored accessible tourism opportunities in the post-COVID-19 era.

The delegation paid a courtesy call on Minister Bartlett, at his New Kingston offices yesterday (January 17). The session saw a vibrant discussion on how the country can capitalize on the prospects for growth in inclusive and accessible tourism. Ambassador Bitter commended Jamaica's strides in this area, citing the significant legislative progress that was made with the Disabilities Act coming into effect in 2022. Minister Bartlett reiterated the importance of catering to this market segment, emphasizing that it holds the potential not only to create opportunities for small hoteliers but also to contribute significantly to the diversification of Jamaica's tourism product.

In this regard, Minister Bartlett said: "Promoting inclusive and accessible tourism is not just about fulfilling a moral obligation; it is a strategic move for Jamaica. This market presents us with a unique opportunity to achieve our ambitious targets for visitor arrivals and tourism earnings. Strengthening partnerships with the United States, especially in areas related to accessible tourism, will help us create a more diverse and welcoming destination for all."

Highlighting the considerable spending power of travellers with disabilities, Ms. Minkara stressed the need for serious consideration of disabled individuals' needs in the development of the Ministry’s Destination Assurance Framework and Strategy (DAFS).

Minister Bartlett also acknowledged the vital role of the United States as a source market, with 73% of stopover visitors to Jamaica originating from the US. The tourism minister added that in 2023 alone, approximately 2.1 million Americans visited Jamaica as stopover visitors, underscoring the significance of the bilateral relationship between both countries. 

The meeting, attended by representatives from the US Embassy and the Ministry, provided an opportunity for Minister Bartlett to present signed copies of his recently launched book, "Thought Leadership on Tourism, Resilience and Sustainability in the 21st Century."

Kingston, Jamaica; Friday, January 12, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett is leading a collaborative effort between public and private sector stakeholders to build capacity and systematically address the pain points in the tourism industry. 

Minister Bartlett made the disclosure following a meeting with industry partners, which he led in conjunction with the president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Robin Russell, yesterday (January 11) at the AC Marriott Hotel.  

Minister Bartlett outlined that the four focus areas assigned to the working groups will be Public Order in Tourism Spaces, Visitor Facilitation, Tourism Housing and Human Resources. 

Noting the resilience and growth demonstrated by Jamaica’s tourism sector over the last year, Minister Bartlett said: “In 2023 we welcomed a total of 4.15 million visitors, which is a substantial 24% increase over the previous year. This reflects the remarkable appeal of Destination Jamaica.”

He added that: “This includes 2,886,064 stopover visitors, which marks a 16.4% rise over the figure recorded in 2022. Additionally, there were 1,265,586 cruise arrivals recorded for the year, representing a whopping 48.3% increase over the number of cruise passengers that visited the island in 2022.” The Minister added that: “This surge in visitors generated foreign exchange earnings of US$4.27 billion, which represents an 18% increase over the revenue secured in 2022.”

“Our impressive growth figures underscore the effectiveness of our tourism strategies. However, our commitment must be to propel the industry even higher,” the Minister said.

He stressed that with Jamaica anticipating some 3 million stopover visitors in 2024, boosting capacity is key moving forward. “Our success in 2023 is a testament to the enduring partnerships between the public and private sectors. Moving ahead, we are resolute in building the necessary capacity to meet the heightened demand projected for 2024 and beyond,” Mr. Bartlett noted.

Minister Bartlett further explained that in direct response to the escalating targets and increased demand, yesterday’s meeting focused on strategic measures to strengthen the industry going forward. 

On the issue of human capital development and the shortage of workers, Minister Bartlett highlighted the ongoing work of the task force which was formed to examine labour market arrangements in tourism. “The goal is to enhance the industry's workforce, fostering a stronger and better sense of appreciation for the invaluable contributions of our workers,” he expressed. 

Emphasizing the importance of improving the airport experience to facilitate a seamless arrival for visitors, Minister Bartlett said during the meeting stakeholders examined ways to enhance overall visitor satisfaction and maintain the positive image of Destination Jamaica.

Montego Bay, Jamaica, Friday, December 29, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has paid tribute to the late Robert Hendricks, describing him as one of the pillars of Jamaica’s post-independence tourism industry. Mr. Hendricks was the owner of Caribbean World Enterprises, a destination management company in St. James.

“Robert was one of those notable Jamaicans who had an abiding faith in his country and was a firm believer in the contribution tourism could make to its development and the economic life of the people,” said Minister Bartlett in tribute to Mr. Hendricks on learning of his death at his home in St. James today.

Minister Bartlett noted that Mr. Hendricks’ contributions to tourism accumulatively spanned over 40 years and that he was a trailblazer in all aspects of the word.

“Robert Hendricks was a firm believer in Jamaicans owning a share of the tourism pie and being involved at senior management levels. He demonstrated this as an entrepreneur in the tours, ground transportation and entertainment subsectors of the industry,” recalled Minister Bartlett.

He started out as the owner of Lollypop on the Beach in Sandy Bay, Hanover, and then went on to set up Caribbean World Enterprises in St. James. His entrepreneurial spirit saw him partnering in the establishment of Aquasol Beach Complex and then joining ground and tour operating company, Tropical Tours in sales and marketing.

Mr. Hendricks played key roles in several enterprises, displaying his skills as a natural salesman. “He actually revolutionized marketing and sales, pioneering the introduction of your guides and opening up thinking to different levels of marketing concepts that have been emulated by others in the tourism industry.”

Among his attributes, this tourism stalwart was a fast talker but did so with sincerity and could be relied upon for his stick-to-itiveness.

Offering condolences to Mr. Hendricks’ family and his colleagues, Minister Bartlett noted that he will be sincerely missed for his personality and what he brought to bear in tourism.