Resilience is the New Tourism Currency, says Minister Bartlett, Jamaica set to Lead Strategic Discussions at GTRCMC Conference in Kenya

Pictured: Minister of Tourism, Founder and Co-Chair of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Centre (GTRCMC), Hon Edmund Bartlett, today announced the staging of the GTRCMC Conference and Expo in Kenya, February 16-18, 2026. Sharing in the moment is Professor Lloyd Waller, Executive Director, GTRCMC.

KINGSTON; Jamaica; Monday February 9, 2026: Global tourism stakeholders will gather at Kenyatta University for a critical conference on tourism resilience February 16-18, as the sector faces unprecedented, interconnected threats including climate shocks, cyber-attacks, misinformation, and system failures that can devastate destinations faster than any physical disaster.

Hon Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, who is at the helm of this thought leadership, has emphasized that tourism resilience has evolved from optional to a development imperative affecting jobs, livelihoods, foreign exchange earnings, and community stability worldwide. “Resilience is the new tourism currency,” Minister Bartlett declared. “We are here to build it, measure it, and institutionalize it—so destinations remain credible under pressure and communities recover faster.”

The conference, hosted by the Government of Kenya, Kenyatta University, and the Eastern Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC)Africa Centre, serves as a capacity-building platform focused on policy, investment, crisis response, technology, and workforce readiness in the face of fast-moving global risks.

Pictured: Minister of Tourism, Founder and Co-Chair of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Centre (GTRCMC), Hon Edmund Bartlett (1st R) after the announcement of the staging of the GTRCMC Conference and Expo in Kenya, February 16-18, 2026. Sharing in the moment are L-R, David Dobson, Chief Technical Director, Cristina Edwards, Director, Tourism Trade & International Relations, Ministry of Tourism and Professor Lloyd Waller, Executive Director, GTRCMC.

Professor Lloyd Waller, Executive Director of the GTRCMC, highlighted the organization's evolution and mission in advancing resilience as a tourism discipline. “Over the years, the GTRCMC has helped shape global understanding by naming resilience as a discipline, developing practical tools and training, convening strong public–private partnerships, and expanding a network of regional centres that serve local realities.”

At the press briefing announcing the Conference today, Minister Bartlett outlined three critical principles for the sector's future:

• Resilience is competitiveness – destinations that remain credible under disruption recover faster
• Resilience is systems – governance, early warning, verification, cyber readiness, and proof-based recovery
• Resilience is global – risk crosses borders, and coordination must as well

The conference will culminate on February 17 with Global Tourism Resilience Day, featuring Minister Bartlett's keynote address at 9:00 a.m. Kenya time under the theme: ‘A Call for Resilience: Many Nations, One Africa – An African Tourism Vision.’

“Global tourism’s future must be built on systems of resilience, not hope” Minister Bartlett emphasized, underscoring the urgent need for institutional capacity, especially for tourism dependent states, to withstand and recover from disruption.

The Conference will address a critical reality that modern tourism disruptions are no longer isolated incidents but interconnected, fast-moving threats that can shut down demand faster than traditional damage assessments can be completed.

For more information about Jamaica and the GTRCMC go to www.visitjamaica.com and www.gtrcmc.org

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ABOUT THE JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica's national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.

Jamaica is home to some of the world's best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition. In 2025, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #13 Best Honeymoon Destination, #11 Best Culinary Destination, and #24 Best Cultural Destination in the World. In 2024, Jamaica was declared 'World's Leading Cruise Destination' and 'World's Leading Family Destination' for the fifth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named the JTB the 'Caribbean's Leading Tourist Board' for the 17th consecutive year.

Jamaica earned six Travvy Awards, including a gold for 'Best Travel Agent Academy Program' and silver for 'Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean' and 'Best Tourism Board – Caribbean'. The destination also received bronze recognition for 'Best Destination – Caribbean', 'Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean', and 'Best Honeymoon Destination – Caribbean'. Additionally, Jamaica received a TravelAge West WAVE award for 'International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support' for a record-setting 12th time.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB's Website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.visitjamaica.com/blog/.

Catégorie:

Tourisme 

Organisation:

Clevenard

Téléphone:

+34631279811