JOHN Byles, executive deputy chairman of Chukka Caribbean Adventures, has been honoured with the 2025 Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) Tourism Resilience Award in the arena of Resilience Corridor – Sustainable Practices.

The award was presented at the Global Tourism Resilience Day Gala held on Tuesday at Princess Hotel in Hanover.

Byles received the award in recognition of his leadership and pivotal role in the development of the COVID-19 Resilient Tourism Corridor which enabled the safe reopening and sustained operation of Jamaica’s tourism sector during the pandemic. His efforts, alongside a coalition of private sector and government stakeholders, ensured that rigorous health protocols were implemented, keeping COVID-19 positivity rates within the corridor significantly lower than national and global averages.

“Receiving this award is an honour but it is also a shared achievement. It reflects the extraordinary collaboration between private sector and government champions who worked tirelessly to create, implement, and uphold health protocols that safeguarded our industry,” said Byles.

He further emphasised the collective effort that made the initiative successful.

“This achievement stands as a testament to the leadership of our country, ultimately driven by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, our Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, and Dr Christopher Tufton, minister of health, who all played pivotal roles in ensuring resilience through genuine collaboration.

“Under Minister Bartlett’s steadfast leadership we united around a shared vision — one that prioritises sustainability, adaptability, and the long-term prosperity of our sector,” added Byles.

The GTRCMC Tourism Resilience Awards celebrate visionary leaders who have demonstrated adaptability, innovation, and a commitment to long-term sustainability in the tourism sector.

Byles’ recognition underscored the importance of sustainable practices in ensuring the resilience and future success of Jamaica’s tourism industry.

The award was presented during the Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference, held from February 17 to 19 2025 under the theme, ‘Building Tourism Resilience Through Digital Transformation’.