Jamaica Tourism Minister Honoured with Global Tourism Resilience Lifetime Award

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett Receives Global Tourism Resilience Lifetime Achievement Award in Nairobi

Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, has received the Global Tourism Resilience Lifetime Achievement Award at the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day 2026. The event was held at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi on 17 February 2026.

The award recognises Minister Bartlett’s long-standing contribution to advancing tourism resilience at a global level, particularly through his work on crisis preparedness, response, and recovery frameworks. His efforts have supported the integration of resilience into tourism planning, helping destinations address challenges such as natural disasters, pandemics, economic disruptions, and other global shocks.

Over the years, Minister Bartlett has promoted international cooperation, policy development, and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen tourism systems worldwide. His work has focused on ensuring that tourism-dependent communities are better prepared to manage disruptions while sustaining livelihoods and economic activity.

While accepting the award, Minister Bartlett reiterated the importance of building adaptable tourism systems through global collaboration. He highlighted the need for continued cooperation among governments, industry stakeholders, and institutions to respond effectively to emerging challenges in an increasingly interconnected global environment.

“This award reflects the ongoing work being carried out through the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre in Jamaica,” Minister Bartlett said.

“I am grateful to our public and private sector partners who recognise the importance of a resilient tourism industry.”

At the Tourism Resilience Gala Dinner held on 18 February 2026 in Nairobi, Minister Bartlett was pictured alongside Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife of the Republic of Kenya, and other award recipients.

Professor Lloyd Waller, Executive Director of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, said that Minister Bartlett’s work has strengthened collaboration among governments, the private sector, and international institutions. He noted that these efforts have contributed to recovery-focused strategies and long-term sustainability across tourism-dependent economies.

The Global Tourism Resilience Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to individuals whose work has made a lasting contribution to strengthening resilience within the global tourism sector.