by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 10:05 AM ET, Thu April 18, 2024
The Hon. Edmund Barlett, Minister of Tourism for Jamaica has thanked travel advisors for their effort in helping the island nation to recover following the COVID-19 pandemic and called for a united effort at transitioning to more sustainable tourism practices this week.
Earlier this week, Bartlett spoke at a luncheon honoring the top travel advisors in Northeast America, reflecting on their importance following the global pandemic.
“We all remember the day planes stopped flying, ships stopped sailing and countries closed their borders,” said Minister Bartlett. “We did not know what the next day would hold but through data, innovation and public private sector partnerships, Jamaica was able to open its borders and remained open. Our valued travel advisors were first out of the blocks, selling the destination, but more importantly our message of destination assurance to their clients.”
The popular Caribbean destination opened its border on June 15, 2020, with health and safety protocols. Within a year of its reopening, it welcomed one million visitors, 80 percent of whom were from the United States. Bartlett also noted that, out of the 4.1 million travelers visiting Jamaica in 2023, 3 million were from the U.S. The island is already reporting record numbers for 2024.
On April 16, Minister Bartlett spoke twice at the U.N.’s first-ever Sustainability Week in New York, calling for a united international effort at sustainable tourism development.
“In Jamaica, our focus has shifted towards sustainable tourism that respects both our natural resources and cultural heritage, ensuring long-term economic viability and sustainability,” Minister Bartlett explained.
He continued, “The road to resilience is not one we can walk alone. Protecting global tourism, especially in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), requires a concerted, international effort to implement adaptive, forward-thinking policies that not only mitigate risks but also promote sustainable practices.”
Establishing a Global Tourism Resilience Fund would be a key driver towards sustainable tourism worldwide, according to Bartlett. A fund of this kind would allow vulnerable destinations the ability to prepare for future crises while also using tourism as a way to develop sustainability.
“The establishment of the Global Tourism Resilience Fund is a critical step towards this goal. It embodies our collective commitment to a sustainable, resilient and prosperous future for all nations reliant on tourism,” Minister Bartlett stressed.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
