Jamaica to Host First-Ever Global Tourism Sustainability Conference

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Preparations are underway for the highly anticipated historic global tourism sustainability conference in Jamaica from 15 to 17 February 2023. About 40 international speakers from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean are expected to attend the conference on sustainability and building the capacity of tourism around the world.

The Importance of Tourism Sustainability

“When we leave COVID-19 pandemic, tourism sustainability has become the epicenter of national development priorities. This comes as tourism remains highly vulnerable to shocks such as the pandemic. Therefore, holding this conference, which is already well underway, is essential and critical to ensure that the industry can not only recover but also thrive afterwards after these disruptions,” said the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism of Jamaica.

The conference is hosted by the Global Center for Tourism Sustainability and Crisis Management. Center headquartered at the University of the West Indies at Kingston. Some of the areas of focus will include improving competitiveness and sustainability; intersectoral cooperation; international funding and technical assistance; creation of barometers of sustainability; extended research; adaptation of science, technology and innovation; niche market development; human capacity building; and support for small businesses, among other things.

The Caribbean will strengthen its response and resilience

“While we cannot prevent either natural disasters or the devastating global upheavals that affect our region, we can and must come together as one Caribbean region to strengthen our response and resilience when such events occur. The Tourism Sustainability Conference provides a timely opportunity for all of us, governments and stakeholders, to discuss together issues that are key to developing policies that will reduce our vulnerability,” said the Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization and the Minister of Tourism and Transport of the Cayman Islands, Hon. Kenneth Bryan.

Approved by the Caribbean Association of Hotels and Tourists

“We fully support the Global Tourism Sustainability Conference and the Global Sustainability Day initiative. The tourism sector has experienced the most difficult two-plus years, facing a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, and is in an advanced stage of recovery, confirming the resilience of the industry. However, we must prepare this industry for the future and rethink our tourism master plans with regard to infrastructure, the impact of climate change, human and capital development needs, and the use of technology to ensure our ability to cope with current and future headwinds,” said President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourist Association, Ms. Nicola Madden-Grieg.

Registration

One of the main expected outcomes of the conference will be the celebration of February 17 as World Tourism Sustainability Day. This day is expected to be celebrated every year. In addition, it will be used around the world as a time to focus on sustainability and sustainability strategies in tourism.

“The future of tourism is in the hands of today’s partners and stakeholders, so the time to act is now. This conference will be a game changer towards a more sustainable global tourism industry,” Minister Bartlett concluded.

Click here to register for the conference.