Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, delivered a powerful keynote address Monday at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Leadership Luncheon, urging the region to take bold, united steps toward building greater tourism resilience.
Speaking under the theme “Caribbean Resilience: Crafting Tomorrow’s Tourism,” Bartlett laid out a transformative vision for a sustainable and secure future for the Caribbean’s tourism-dependent economies.
“We stand at the cusp of an era that is uncertain yet laden with possibility,” Bartlett told an audience of tourism leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. “Our story is not one of victimhood—it is one of steadfast resilience and unbreakable unity.”
A cornerstone of his address was a passionate call for the establishment of a Tourism Resilience Fund, a regional initiative aimed at supporting small island developing states through crises and disruptions. Bartlett described the proposed fund as both a lifeline and a symbol of the Caribbean’s collective commitment to safeguarding tourism, which remains a primary economic driver for the region.
“This Fund is not merely a financial mechanism; it is a symbolic and practical testament to our commitment to safeguarding the future of tourism for small island developing states,” he said.
Bartlett also highlighted the ongoing work of the Global Tourism Resilience & Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), which he co-founded. He described the institution as “the backbone of our future strategy,” noting its growing role in providing science-based, coordinated responses to global shocks that affect the tourism sector.
“Caribbean resilience is not just a theme—it is a strategic imperative,” Bartlett said in closing. “Together, we have the power to craft a tourism model that is inclusive, regenerative, and future-focused.”
Minister Bartlett is leading a Jamaican delegation to CTO Caribbean Week in New York, which runs through June 6. The annual gathering features a packed schedule of discussions, networking sessions, and cultural showcases, including the Caribbean Media Marketplace, Caribbean Media Awards, leadership forums, AI panels, and CTO’s high-level business meetings.
