KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili, says Jamaica must be commended for leading the initiative to create a Global Tourism Resilience Day.
Speaking during a press conference, the Secretary-General, who arrived on the island Wednesday, said he would be personally advocating for tourism leaders worldwide to fly to Jamaica annually to celebrate Global Tourism Resilience Day on February 17.
Citing the initiative as an essential legacy project and a crucial tool for preparing countries to better deal with pandemics and natural disasters, Pololikashvili said that if anything, COVID-19 has taught the world the importance of preparation and commended Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett for being the leading proponent of establishing resilient crisis centers around the world.
“The establishment of the Global Tourism Resilience Day reflects Jamaica’s commitment to fostering a more resilient and sustainable tourism landscape while also serving as a platform for sharing best practices and expertise in crisis management,” the Secretary-General noted.
“Overall, this initiative has garnered recognition and support from key figures in the international tourism community, signaling a collective effort to build a more resilient future for global tourism,” he added.
He further noted that Global Tourism Resilience Day aims to enhance global preparedness and response measures for potential crises that could affect the tourism industry, emphasizing the importance of such proactive measures, especially considering the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other natural disasters.
“This was 1,000 percent your (Mr. Bartlett’s) initiative to establish this day, and I will propose to maintain this day and to celebrate every year here in Jamaica,” Pololikashvili told the gathering of key tourism stakeholders, reporters, and business interests.
“It will be our legacy. Let’s make a difference. Every 17th of February, we come to Montego Bay or to Kingston; you choose [the location] and do it,” he added.
Pololikashvili, who is visiting for the first time, is here as the keynote speaker at the second Global Tourism Resilience Conference scheduled for February 16 and 17 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in the western parish of St. James.
The two-day conference will include panel discussions, networking opportunities, presentations, and debates on building resilience in tourism.
Key to those discussions is examining issues central to future-proofing travel and tourism against various disruptions.
Bartlett, for his part, believes the event is very timely, noting that it coincides with the first anniversary of the United Nations declaration of February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day annually, a milestone achieved through Jamaica’s successful lobbying efforts.
“We would have seen the far-reaching impact of rising sea levels just a few days ago along Jamaica’s north coast and other islands. Incidentally, the conference being in Montego Bay, which was also affected, provides a crucial opportunity to address issues related to climate change and resilience building in tourism. Now more than ever, we must unite to find sustainable solutions that safeguard our industry and destinations,” he pointed out.
He said the conference, a collaborative effort among the Ministry of Tourism, UN Tourism, and the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), promises two days of insightful discussions, engaging panels, and distinguished speakers.
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