KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has made an urgent call for G20 nations to invest in capacity building for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) that are heavily reliant on tourism.

Minister Bartlett made the call on Friday while speaking at the G20 and UN Tourism side event in the margins of the 4th G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting in Belém, Brazil.

The meeting was staged between September 19-20, 2024 under the theme “Tourism: Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet”.

Highlighting the stark economic disparity where G20 nations generate nearly $1.5 trillion in tourism revenue compared to just $35 billion for SIDS, he called for collaborative efforts to enhance sustainable tourism practices, improve travel facilitation, and support local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

“By fostering eco-tourism and investing in cultural heritage, we can ensure that these beautiful islands not only attract global visitors but also thrive economically,” Bartlett said.

He also reiterated his appeal for the establishment of a Global Tourism Resilience Fund to help SIDS build their capacity for sustainability and innovation in the face of climate change and external shocks.

Meanwhile, the minister also discussed ways to tap into the lucrative Indian travel market with India’s Minister of Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, as Jamaica seeks to diversify its markets.