HANOVER, Jamaica; Friday, February 21, 2025 – Jamaica proudly commemorated the 3^rd Global Tourism Resilience Day on February 17, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to sustainability and resilience in the evolving tourism landscape. As a key highlight of the 3^rd  Global Tourism Resilience Conference, the day emphasized reflection, renewal, and future-proofing the industry against disruptions and shocks.

Held at the Princess Grand in Hanover from February 17-19, the three-day conference convened industry leaders, policymakers, and sustainability advocates to explore strategies for enhancing tourism resilience. On the final day of the conference, participants were treated to various destination excursions to give them a taste of Jamaica’s tourism offerings at one of the many adventure parks, Jamwest.

“As we observe Global Tourism Resilience Day for another year, we are reminded of the importance of raising awareness about building resilience across our sectors and creating spaces for dialogue and transformative action,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett.

“Tourism is not merely about leisure or sightseeing,” he continued. “It is the lifeblood of many economies, a catalyst for world development, and a critical pillar in the architecture of global growth. For developing countries in particular, tourism represents a path to empowerment, job creation, poverty alleviation, and the preservation of cultural heritage. It fosters cross-cultural exchange, promotes tolerance, and deepens our shared sense of humanity. We must future-proof it.”

Under the theme “Building Tourism Resilience through Digital Transformation”, the conference reinforced the importance of sustainable practices in ensuring the industry’s long-term vitality. Through collaborative dialogue and shared best practices, Jamaica reaffirmed its position as a thought leader in global tourism resilience, setting the stage for continued innovation and sustainable growth.

Some of the insightful panel discussions and keynote speeches from renowned experts, included Mr. David Tepper, Co-Founder at Pay-I Inc., and Dr. Luz Longsworth, Sandals International Senior Corporate Director, Sandals Corporate University, who discussed “The Rise of Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Challenges for Tourism.” Participants also shared best practices and discussed actionable solutions to enhance sustainability.

“This conference serves as a pivotal platform to inspire collective action and innovative thinking. As we look towards the future, sustainability must be at the core of tourism development to ensure resilience and growth,” said Professor Lloyd Waller, Executive Director of the Global Tourism Resilience Centre.

The 3^rd Global Tourism Resilience Conference and commemoration of Global Tourism Resilience Day has reaffirmed Jamaica’s thought leadership and the industry’s commitment to sustainability, setting the stage for continued collaboration and innovation. As the global tourism landscape evolves, the conference underscored the importance of resilience and sustainability in shaping the future of travel.

For more information about the Global Tourism Resilience Conference, please visit www.gtrcmc.org. For more information about Jamaica, please visit www.visitjamaica.com. 

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ABOUT THE JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD  

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.

Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition. In 2025, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #13 Best Honeymoon Destination, #11 Best Culinary Destination, and #24 Best Cultural Destination in the World. In 2024, Jamaica was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ for the fifth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named the JTB the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 17th consecutive year.

Jamaica earned six Travvy Awards, including a gold for ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program’ and silver for ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean’ and ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean’. The destination also received bronze recognition for ‘Best Destination – Caribbean’, ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean’, and ‘Best Honeymoon Destination – Caribbean’. Additionally, Jamaica received a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 12th time.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB’s Website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.visitjamaica.com/blog/.

Contact:  

Lou Hammond Group  

jamaica@louhammond.com