The first annual Global Tourism Resilience Conference (GTRC) was officially opened this week by Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the University of the West Indies' Regional Headquarters.

"I am proud to endorse this crucial forum that will provide a platform for industry leaders, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders to develop problem-solving tools to build resilience across countries and regions," said the Prime Minister, noting that the Caribbean has been ranked as the most tourism-dependent region in the world.

The 3-day conference currently taking place in Jamaica is being attended by Ministers of Tourism from several countries and other international industry leaders. The conference is the brainchild of Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism and Co-Chair and founder of The Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre.

"Resilience will be the key component of the future-proofing of the tourism industry and this historic conference will play a key role in charting the way forward," said Bartlett.

Discussions are taking place on a range of issues, including lessons gleaned from the Covid-19 pandemic. Attendees are also examining data, exchanging ideas, and developing data-driven strategies to help mitigate and handle future threats to the industry.

Prime Minister Holness also welcomed news of the United Nations' recent declaration that February 17 will be commemorated annually as Global Tourism Resilience Day - a development initiative by the Government of Jamaica.