KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, has lauded the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre – Eastern Africa (GTRCMC-EA) for winning the distinguished 2024 Tourism Resilience Award.

The centre, based at Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya, was honoured at the Global Resilience Council Hall of Fame Awards, held at Plaisterers’ Hall in London on November 6, 2024.

This prestigious accolade acknowledges GTRCMC-EA’s invaluable contributions to tourism resilience and crisis management, applauding its work in equipping the Eastern African tourism sector to tackle crises, bolster economic stability, and promote sustainable growth across the region

“The GTRCMC-EA’s impact is truly remarkable. This award stands as a testament to the dedication, innovation, and resilience of the centre and its leadership. The GTRCMC-EA is setting a powerful example for the world, showing how strategic crisis management can transform challenges into opportunities, thereby ensuring that tourism remains a pillar of economic strength and cultural heritage in Eastern Africa and beyond,” a Ministry of Tourism release quoted Bartlett as saying.

The award was received by prominent Kenyan representatives, including the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, who serves as the chairperson of the GTRCMC-EA Board of Governors, Kenya’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Manoah Esipisu, and the Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University, Professor Waceke Wanjohi, who is secretary of the board. Joining them were Dr Esther Munyiri, director of GTRCMC-EA, and senior centre officials, who highlighted the centre’s commitment to strengthening Eastern Africa’s tourism resilience.

As a trailblazing institution founded in 2019, GTRCMC-EA has launched impactful initiatives, such as the Paid Internships Abroad Programme, a comprehensive digital tourism inventory, and critical crisis response frameworks during the COVID-19 pandemic. These programmes have significantly enhanced tourism resilience across fourteen Eastern African countries, ensuring regional stability and advancing global standards for sustainable tourism. The centre’s development of Harmonised Sustainability Standards for East Africa has been another milestone, marking a new era of integrated sustainable tourism practices across the region.

Reflecting on the award, the tourism minister expressed his pride and excitement, acknowledging the importance of GTRCMC-EA’s role in strengthening tourism resilience.

“This recognition reaffirms the vital role of resilience in the tourism sector. GTRCMC-EA’s commitment to sustainability and crisis management is inspiring, and I am immensely proud of the centre’s groundbreaking work,” Bartlett said.

“Their achievements show the world how resilience-focused strategies are crucial for securing the future of tourism and ensuring that our industries can thrive even in the face of adversity,” he added.

The award was presented as part of the World Travel Market in London, where GTRCMC-EA delegates are participating in discussions and partnerships aimed at fostering tourism resilience globally. This acknowledgement underscores the centre’s leadership in the field and its dedication to building a robust, sustainable tourism industry that can withstand and adapt to emerging challenges.

The GTRCMC-EA’s work, guided by Minister Bartlett’s vision, positions it as a global beacon of sustainable tourism development, committed to resilience, innovation, and growth for future generations.

The Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, an international think tank headquartered in Jamaica, was established by Minister Bartlett in 2018, to help tourism stakeholders worldwide prepare for, manage and recover from crises.  The centre has a network of satellite facilities in strategic locations globally, including Nairobi, Kenya; Toronto, Canada; Oman, Jordan; Malaga, Spain; Sofia, Bulgaria, and Bournemouth, United Kingdom.