Jamaica is looking to strengthen its relationship with the Philippines through discussions aimed at establishing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focused on tourism collaboration. According to Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmond Bartlett, the agreement will target key outcomes such as human capital development, customer service training and certification, craft development, resilience and sustainability in tourism, and the promotion of community tourism. Bartlett highlighted the significance of human capital development, noting the Philippines’ impressive track record of training over 170,000 tourism workers annually. The collaboration aims to enhance Jamaica’s tourism sector by leveraging the Philippines’ expertise.
On Wednesday, Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmond Bartlett was honored by the Gusi Peace Prize Foundation as one of its 2024 awardees. The prestigious accolade recognizes his visionary leadership and groundbreaking contributions to the global tourism industry. Notably, Bartlett is the first tourism minister to receive this esteemed award.
The Gusi Peace Prize International Awards, held in Manila, Philippines, celebrate individuals and organizations that have made significant impacts in areas like peace, human rights, and global progress. The event, which began on November 25 and concluded with a farewell dinner on November 28, also marked Bartlett’s second recognition by the foundation, following his previous honor in 2020. He described receiving the award as a humbling and deeply inspiring experience.
“This recognition belongs not just to me but to the people of Jamaica, whose innovation, resilience, and cultural richness are at the heart of all I do. It highlights how tourism, when approached thoughtfully, can transform communities and inspire unity worldwide,” he said.
Tourism Minister Edmond Bartlett emphasized the significant potential of the collaboration between Jamaica and the Philippines in strengthening Jamaica’s tourism workforce. He highlighted the Philippines’ Department of Tourism’s exceptional work in training and certifying tourism workers in service excellence, noting that this partnership could elevate service standards across Jamaica, which he sees as central to the visitor experience.
Bartlett also pointed to the opportunity for both nations to share expertise in utilizing indigenous materials for value-added craft products. He expressed particular excitement about Jamaican artisans learning from their Filipino counterparts, who have successfully transformed local resources, such as pineapple and banana fibers, into high-quality garments and other items. This collaboration, he believes, could bring valuable innovations to Jamaica’s craft industry.
