GREEN ISLAND, Hanover — The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to help provide dedicated training and capacity-building programmes plus equip tourism stakeholders with advanced digital skills are among initiatives to be rolled out as part of efforts to boost resilience in the sector.

The raft of initiatives was announced by Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett on Monday during the Global Tourism Resilience Conference held at Princess Grand Hotel in Green Island, Hanover. However, he did not provide a timeline for implementation.

“By equipping tourism stakeholders with cutting-edge digital skills we aim to reshape the industry, making it more agile, inclusive, and future-ready,” the minister explained.

“These initiatives, collectively, stand to transform global tourism. They illustrate how resilience-building efforts can range from environmental sustainability to public health, from heritage preservation to digital innovation — all converging to create a seamless and sustainable global tourism environment,” he added.

He foresees benefits that will include improvements in destination management strategies with real-time data analytics to monitor travel flows, consumer trends, and potential risks. All this will lead to proactive decision-making. There is also the expectation that virtual engagements and digital marketing will allow destinations to maintain global visibility even during travel disruptions, thus ensuring continued interest and investment in tourism sectors.

Bartlett underscored that even as the sector rebounded after it was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not immune to natural and other disasters.

“Even as it recovers, we must not ignore its vulnerabilities. From natural disasters to geopolitical shocks, from health emergencies to climate change — these challenges stand ever-present, testing the durability of our beloved industry,” he said.

“That is why our collective mission must be to mitigate these vulnerabilities and strengthen the resilience of tourism. We must harness innovation, champion sustainability, and foster collaboration across all sectors to ensure that the next crisis — whatever form it takes — does not cripple our progress but rather spurs our creativity and resolve,” he added.

The conference has brought together thought leaders, industry experts, and stakeholders from more than seven countries to discuss innovative strategies that will enhance tourism resilience and sustainability on a global scale.

Scheduled to run until Wednesday, the event features keynote speeches, panel discussions, and workshops centred on navigating challenges and leveraging opportunities in the tourism sector. Attendees are expected to explore critical topics such as disaster recovery, climate change adaptation, and digital transformation within the industry. This is the third staging.

Professor Lloyd Waller, executive director of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), expressed enthusiasm about this year’s event.

“We are pleased to see the growing interest and participation from countries worldwide. This conference is more than just a gathering; it is a catalyst for action and collaboration, driving resilience and sustainable growth in global tourism,” he said.

Participants are from Kenya, Trinidad, Anguilla, USA, Barbados, Canada, St Kitts, Zambia, Greece, United Kingdom, Aruba, Malta, Dominica, Guyana, and Spain.

The GTRCMC is an international think tank headquartered in Jamaica, with offices in Africa, Canada, and the Middle East. Founded in 2018 by Bartlett and operationalised by Professor Waller, it helps tourism stakeholders worldwide prepare for, manage, and recover from a crisis.