ST JAMES, Jamaica – Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, says the island continues to thrive after recovering from the several challenges brought on by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Very few countries can [say] that. This is one of the reasons why I speak with pride, because our little Jamaica has not only recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic but we are also thriving as the only economy in this region which has had 10 consecutive quarters of economic growth,” Bartlett outlined.

The minister was addressing the opening of the second Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James, on Friday.

Bartlett said that navigating the future of tourism and the sector’s resilience is an important discussion and a key discourse that is worthy of attention both now and in the future.

He added that tourism stands as the most resilient industry globally, as “it bounces back faster after every type of disruption that has taken place”.

For her part, Regional Manager for the Caribbean at the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, Dr Stacy Kennedy, underscored that all countries, particularly island states in the region, must be prepared for future shocks and strategise for rapid recovery.

“Given the socio-economic importance of tourism to the Caribbean and to many regions across the world, and the multiple threats, it is critical that all countries, particularly our island states in the Caribbean, collectively define and implement strategies that not only prepare the Caribbean for future shocks but also help the region to recover rapidly from these threats,” she emphasised.

Dr Kennedy noted that the conference coincides with and celebrates the United Nations’ World Global Tourism Resilience Day, which is being observed on February 17, thanks to the leadership of Jamaica’s government and its advocacy on the global stage, which has placed the spotlight on resilience as a pivotal aspect of tourism.

This, Dr Kennedy said, reminds the world that tourism development in island states encompasses unique multidimensional challenges that must be considered.

The conference is being hosted from February 16 to 17 and will feature panel discussions, networking opportunities, presentations, and lively debates on matters relating to building resilience in tourism.

The event has attracted several government ministers from various countries, policy advisors, academics, executives of several international organisations, and global business leaders, among other key stakeholders.

-JIS