In a big win for the efforts of Jamaica and its tireless Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, the United Nations has officially declared that February 17 will be celebrated annually as Global Tourism Resilience Day.

Bartlett has been a global voice advocating for tourism resilience as a means of safeguarding the sector during times of crisis that negatively impact the industry, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is a signal honour for Jamaica which highlights the fact that our nation continues to have such significant influence on the international stage,” said Bartlett in welcoming the UN decision.

“This is very timely as the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is still being felt and is causing a strain on many tourism-dependent states as they struggle to recover.”

Bartlett added: “Global Tourism Resilience Day emphasizes the importance of building tourism resilience across the world to fuel sustainable growth and development.”

Jamaica’s tourism minister said observance of Global Tourism Resilience Day “will aid in increasing the awareness and actions of global tourism stakeholders towards boosting the industry’s capacity to effectively handle and recover swiftly from major disruptions, such as pandemics, earthquakes and other natural disasters.”

Bartlett has played a leading role in promoting the need for tourism dependent states to be prepared for inevitable internal and external shocks and to have a body that they can look to for support that will aid them in recovering quickly.

He has spearheaded the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) and co-authored with University of the West Indies Professor Lloyd Waller, the book: Tourism Resilience and Recovery for Global Sustainability and Development: Navigating COVID-19 and the Future.

Jamaica will officially recognize Global Tourism Resilience Day during the first ever Global Tourism Resilience Conference, which will be held from February 15-17 at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Regional Headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica.