Jamaica is taking a significant step in tourism resilience, as revealed in a recent partnership with UN Tourism. The announcement, made by Minister of Tourism Hon Edmund Bartlett and UN Tourism Secretary-General H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili, took place at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Feb. 17. This date also marked the second annual Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference.
Jamaica Bolsters Tourism Leadership with UN Tourism Partnership
The partnership involves rebranding the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre to the Global Tourism Resilience Centre (GTRC). According to Breaking Travel News, this move strengthens Jamaica's leadership in tourism resilience. In addition to the rebranding, Jamaica, in collaboration with UN Tourism, will continue to host the Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference annually.
Minister Bartlett emphasized Jamaica's key role in designating February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day. The next phase includes establishing a Caribbean Tourism Academy in partnership with UN Tourism, following similar academies in countries like Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Uzbekistan, and a planned one in Brazil. The Jamaican Academy will cater to the Caribbean region.
A future initiative includes the creation of a Tourism Resilient Fund, which Minister Bartlett proposed at last year's event. UN Tourism Secretary-General Pololikashvili shared that the fund would continue the legacy of the GTRC, which will maintain its headquarters in Kingston.
Furthermore, Minister Bartlett disclosed upcoming bilateral talks with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister of Tourism in charge of International Affairs, Sultan Mohammed Al Musallam. These discussions will focus on further collaboration between Jamaica, the Caribbean, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The conference, held from Feb. 16-17, was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Tourism, UN Tourism, and the GTRC under the theme "Navigating the Future of Tourism Resilience." It featured a range of experts discussing various aspects of the tourism industry.
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Visits Iran to Improve Tourism Sector
The UN Tourism organization recently sent a high-level delegation, led by Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, to Iran. They attended the Tehran International Tourism Exhibition's opening and held important meetings to discuss tourism.
The UN Tourism shared a news report that during the visit, Pololikashvili and Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi inaugurated the 17th edition of the Exhibition. UN Tourism expressed its support for Iran's tourism growth through promotions and investments. They also emphasized the importance of training new tourism workers in Iran.
The Secretary-General met with Tehran's mayor, Ali Reza Zakani, to focus on making Tehran more appealing to tourists and investors. Alongside Iran's Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Ezzatollah Zarghami, and Deputy Minister Dr. Ali Asghar Shalbafian, Pololikashvili praised the efforts in celebrating Iran's diverse culture and traditions through tourism.
UN Tourism also acknowledged the private sector's role in this growth, represented by Seyed Hossein Hejazi, CEO of Abbas Abad Cultural and Tourism Area.
Emphasizing rural development, Governor Malek Rahmati received recognition for Kandovan's inclusion in UN Tourism's Best Tourism Villages list. UN Tourism is keen on supporting rural areas in Iran to boost tourism, benefiting local communities.
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