The latest star in the global travel and tourism industry today is from Jamaica and no other than Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism. Travel and Tourism Security was high on the agenda when The Hon. Edmund Bartlett made his presentation at the ongoing 63rd UNWTO Regional Commission for the Americas and the International Seminar on Women’s Empowerment in the Tourism Sector in Paraguay. The UNWTO Conference is being held in conjunction with the National Secretariat of Tourism of Paraguay (SENATUR).

A tireless effort was put in by the former UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai together with Minister Bartlett, and the scene was set last year in November with the Montego Bay declaration after concluding the very successful UWWTO Global Conference on Jobs and inclusive growth in Jamaica. Minister Jamaica hosted the event.

The Montego Bay declaration highlighted the need for climate change mitigation and improving crisis preparedness, including a commitment among Caribbean countries to work toward more regional integration and to support a Global Tourism Resilience Center in Jamaica, including a Sustainable Tourism Observatory to help in preparedness, management, and recovery from crises.

This morning at the Regional Commission for the Americas meeting, Minister Bartlett made his presentation on establishing and hosting the first Tourism Innovation Centre in the Americas. A first conference is planned in Montego Bay in 2019.

The current UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvil continued to voice UNWTO’s support for a regional center.