My lord. Jamaica's Minister of Tourism Edmund Barrett thanked Travel Advisors for their efforts in supporting the island's recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, and this week announced a concerted effort to move towards more sustainable tourism practices. I called out.
Earlier this week, Bartlett spoke at a luncheon honoring the Northeast's top travel advisors and reflected on their importance in the wake of the global pandemic.
“We all remember the day planes stopped flying, ships stopped sailing and countries closed their borders,” Minister Bartlett said. “We didn't know what the next day would bring, but through data, innovation, and public-private partnerships, Jamaica was able to open its borders and remain open. We promoted our destination, but more importantly, we communicated to our customers our message of destination security.”
The popular Caribbean destination opened its borders on June 15, 2020, with health and safety measures in place. Within a year of reopening, it welcomed 1 million visitors, 80 percent of whom were from the United States. Bartlett also pointed out that of the 4.1 million visitors to Jamaica in 2023, 3 million will be from the United States, and the island has already reported record numbers for 2024. .
On April 16, Minister Bartlett spoke twice at the United Nations' first Sustainability Week in New York, calling for a united international effort in sustainable tourism development.
“In Jamaica, we are shifting our focus to sustainable tourism that respects both our natural resources and cultural heritage and ensures our long-term economic viability and sustainability,” Minister Bartlett explained.
He added: “The road to recovery is not one we walk alone. Protecting global tourism, especially tourism in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), requires not only risk mitigation but also sustainable development.” We need a concerted international effort to put in place adaptive and forward-thinking policies that encourage sustainable practices.”
According to Bartlett, establishing a Global Tourism Resilience Fund will be an important driver for achieving sustainable tourism around the world. This type of fund would allow vulnerable destinations to prepare for future crises, while also using tourism as a way to develop sustainability.
“The establishment of the Global Tourism Resilience Fund is an important step towards this goal. It embodies our collective commitment to a sustainable, resilient and prosperous future for all countries that rely on tourism. ” Minister Bartlett emphasized.
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