The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) Chair highlighted the second Global Tourism Resilience Conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica, from February 16 to 17, as a pivotal moment for regional and global tourism collaboration.
Kenneth Bryan (pic) engaged with UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili and regional ministerial and private sector colleagues to discuss enhanced collaboration and the sharing of best practices and opportunities between the CTO, UN Tourism, and Caribbean and international tourism counterparts. With the Caribbean’s socioeconomic development deeply dependent on tourism, Bryan focused on leveraging the conference to further unify the Caribbean in bolstering its resilience against unpredictable events.
“This conference embodied our collective determination to both foresee and adapt to the industry’s challenges,” Bryan remarked. “Coming together as one Caribbean enhanced our capacity to withstand any adversity,”
He extended congratulations to Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett for their pioneering roles in orchestrating the critical event, aimed at advancing important conversations within the sector. The conference, co-organized by Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism and the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), was anticipated to be a significant meeting of minds, with panel discussions, networking sessions, and presentations designed to spur conversations on building tourism resilience.
Aligned with Global Tourism Resilience Day on February 17, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, the conference sought to highlight the need for resilient tourism development strategies. It called on Member States to craft national recovery strategies post-disruptions, stressing the importance of public-private partnerships and diversification in tourism offerings.
Chair Bryan underscored the power of unity, stating, “Our collective vision for a resilient Caribbean, capable of overcoming nature’s unpredictability and other challenges, unites us.
“This conference marked a step toward realizing that vision, addressing our vulnerabilities while showcasing our recovery and thriving capabilities.” CTO Secretary-General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper, who, along with the chairman, addressed the meeting, asserted that the CTO’s collaboration with UN Tourism, regional governments, and industry stakeholders to promote a sustainable, resilient, and thriving Caribbean tourism industry was essential.
“Our discussions in Jamaica underscored Chair Bryan’s continued calls for collective action and strategic partnerships in safeguarding our region’s tourism sector against the backdrop of global challenges,” she stated. “It was through our unified efforts that we could achieve a more resilient, diverse, and sustainable tourism future.”
