Call for Stronger South–South Cooperation and Digital Resilience on 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day
Pictured: Minister of Tourism, Founder and Co-Chair of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre gives his Keynote Address at the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference and Expo in Nairobi Kenya on Tuesday February 17, 2026
London, UK, 18 February 2026: Tourism leaders from across Africa, the Caribbean and beyond gathered in Nairobi on February 17 for the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day commemoration where Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, urged nations to strengthen resilience systems amid escalating global and digital disruptions.
Hosted by Kenya’s Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife in collaboration with Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) Eastern Africa and Kenyatta University, the conference marked the first time the global resilience gathering has been staged outside Jamaica.
In his address, Minister Bartlett emphasized tourism’s critical role as a driver of national development, job creation and foreign exchange earnings, while acknowledging the sector’s growing vulnerability to external shocks. “Tourism is not simply an economic sector. It is a ladder reaching into homes, communities and dreams,” said Bartlett. “But in our time, resilience is not only about roads and runways. It is also about data and dignity. It is not only about physical recovery. It is about reputational defence.”
The Minister also emphasized the strategic importance of South–South cooperation in building a more secure and self-reliant global tourism ecosystem. “The future of resilience will be written through South–South cooperation,” he said. “If we can trade tourism, we can trade resilience. If we can share visitors, we can share knowledge.”
He called for joint research initiatives, shared crisis management standards, expanded training pipelines and regional investment strategies to ensure that solutions are developed within and for the realities of the Global South.
A central theme of the keynote was the transformative power of thought leadership in shaping preparedness and policy. Minister Bartlett underscored the work of the GTRCMC in translating research into practical frameworks through conferences, publications, training programs and global partnerships.
He acknowledged the leadership of Professor Lloyd Waller and the GTRCMC global office in advancing research and building capacity across regions.
The conference also spotlighted the Centre’s new focus on Destination Reputational Resilience, a structured framework to help destinations prepare for, manage and recover from digital disruptions, including cyber threats and misinformation.
“The first three Global Tourism Resilience conferences were held in Jamaica. This year’s activation in Kenya signals the evolution of the initiative into a truly global platform, anchored by regional leadership and strengthened by international collaboration,” said Professor Lloyd Waller, Executive Director of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre.
As Global Tourism Resilience Day continues to gain international recognition, the conference in Nairobi reinforced a shared commitment among nations to move beyond reactive crisis response toward proactive, systems-based transformation.
For more information about Jamaica and the GTRCMC go to www.visitjamaica.com and www.gtrcmc.org
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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/.