MONTEGO BAY, St James — Discussions on how investors can help make the tourism sector more resilient in withstanding future shocks, a frank look at why 45 million employees around the world refuse to return to their jobs, and the strengthening of bonds between the Caribbean, Middle East and Africa are among the items on the agenda for a conference to be held in Jamaica next month.

“The inclusion of an investment component in the conference, along with a discussion on the future of employment in the tourism sector, are critical factors as they underpin the very resilience that we seek to build for tourism against… global shocks,” explained Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.

He was speaking during Thursday morning’s launch of the inaugural Global Tourism Resilience Conference slated for February 15 to 17.

Jamaica is among the countries struggling to attract employees to its tourism sector. Work is underway to add more than 6,000 rooms locally, a combination of new buildings and refurbishing. But industry players have consistently complained of the challenge in finding skilled labour. Job fairs are commonplace but some have seen disappointing turnouts.

Speaking of the challenge at the global level, Bartlett said it was important to understand why workers, displaced as COVID-19 pummelled the industry, have opted not to return.

“There are about 45 or so million former tourism workers out there. And we need to know exactly why they haven’t come back,” he said, adding that while research has been done by consulting firms, the tourism sector needs to do its own.

“It is important for tourism itself to take an introspection, to take a deeper look at what it is that our labour market arrangements are composed of, and why. Because the loss of what I call institutional memory is critical, especially [as it affects efforts] to have a strong recovery. And therefore, we proposed for a new charter, something of a social contract to be established globally so that there is a wider and broader appreciation and understanding of what it is that constitutes a workspace that would be optimal for tourism development,” he said.

The traditional seasonality of the sector, he noted, has contributed to a lack of stability for workers who are often given short-term contracts.

“And with it goes all the missing links of an environment that is conducive to the highest level of productivity and production and stability. We need to make that change so that the recovery can be strong and powerful; it has to bring the workers along,” he urged.

According to the minister, there will be ample time dedicated to the issue at next month’s conference.

“Half of the first day’s activity will be dedicated to a full discussion on how to enable not just the return of tourism workers, but the creation of the new skill sets of workers that are going to be required to take us into the growth era that is looming,” he said.

Turning his attention to the ongoing thrust to work more closely with the continent, Bartlett said the conference will see participation from at least seven ministers of African countries; president and chairman of the African Export-Import Bank, Benedict Okey Oramah; as well as influential figures from the African Union and its tourism sector.

“The African-Caribbean component of the conference is going to be a highlight,” said Bartlett.

He added that former prime minister of Jamaica and head of the Africa Caribbean Institute at The University of the West Indies, PJ Patterson, will deliver the keynote address for a summit that will form part of the wider event. There will also be a series of panel discussions with the ministers and leaders of Africa and the Caribbean.

For the past year, Bartlett has actively pursued a closer working relationship with tourism players in Africa. He told Thursday’s launch that connecting the continent with the Caribbean is a “key factor” in ensuring the sustainability of tourism. He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had exacerbated pre-existing challenges Africa’s tourism sector faces with climate change, political instability, high crime levels, red tape and inadequate budgetary support. Africa, he said, stands to gain from working more closely with the Caribbean which has a long history in tourism.

Bartlett has also been actively courting tourism players in Saudi Arabia and they are also expected to have a strong presence at the event which will be held at the Global Tourism Resilience & Crisis Management Centre on The UWI, Mona campus.

“We are also expecting the minister of international affairs from Saudi Arabia to be part of the discussions as the Middle East discussions will also be infused in that general debate,” the minister said.

During the conference there will also be the launch of a Tourism Resilience Institute at The UWI. According to executive director — Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), Prof Lloyd Waller, the institute will look at resilience within tourism and beyond by offering short certificate courses, diploma courses, an MBA and an executive MBA. More details will be revealed during the February event.

Also on the agenda is the launch of Tourism Resilience Day; in addition the GTRCMC will have its board meeting on the sidelines, and then outline its projects for 2023.

Two hundred in-person attendees are expected to join the conference with several others participating virtually.