THE exploration of an African-Caribbean tourism trade mechanism is among several opportunities being considered at the Global Tourism Resilience Conference, which Prime Minister Andrew Holness says is essential in boosting the growth of the sector.

Holness was addressing the opening ceremony of the conference at the Regional Headquarters of The University of the West Indies, Mona, in St Andrew, which will run until Friday.

He said that while he is anticipating the “thrust that will be placed on harnessing the untapped tourism potential of the African continent”, there are deterrents hindering the African-Caribbean tourism trade.

“While the African continent has been increasingly directing its attention towards tourism as a driver of economic development, given its rich cultural heritage, wildlife and natural resources, there are still many barriers that constrain these efforts,” Holness said during his keynote address on Wednesday.

“Consequently, the tourism sector in Africa remains relatively underdeveloped offering significant potential for growth and development. This conference presents an opportunity to holistically engage the needs of African destinations and to better understand the efforts, resources and investments that need to be directed towards meeting them. This conference also marks the first of its kind to examine the viability of an African-Caribbean tourism trade mechanism,” he added.

Holness added that an African-Caribbean tourism trade model would present a tremendous opportunity for both regions to achieve shared economic growth and development, create jobs, increase bilateral investment, and improve infrastructure.

“This model will also enable the exchange of best practices, sharing of experiences and identification of new opportunities for growth and development. For a long-term perspective, a robust tourism trade model has the advantage of providing a cushion for economic shocks and crisis,” he said.

“For example, the prevailing evidence indicates that while the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the global economy, including the tourism industry, countries that have diversified their tourism markets and have established strong tourism trade relations have been better able to withstand the impact of the crisis,” he added.

Meanwhile, secretary-general of the Organization of America States Luis Almagro Lemes stressed that there is a need for urgent action in dealing with climate change which would help with tourism management.

“We know the power of tourism to contribute to global input, to improve livelihood, and bring economic benefits to many destinations for people around the world. However, if not managed properly, tourism becomes obsolete to negative impacts such as overcrowding and environmental degradation,” he said.

On Friday, February 17, Global Tourism Resilience Day will be celebrated for the first time with a commemorative ceremony, including special performances by Jamaican entertainers, recognising the official adoption by the United Nations on February 6 of the resolution to observe the day each year.