Pictured: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett giving his keynote address at CTO Week’s Leadership on Monday June 2, 2025, at the Westin Hotel in New York. 

NEW YORK, New York, Wednesday June 4, 2025 – Minister of Tourism for Jamaica, Hon. Edmund Bartlett on Monday delivered a keynote address at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Leadership Luncheon, calling for bold action to build tourism resilience across the Caribbean region. Speaking under the theme ‘Caribbean Resilience: Crafting Tomorrow’s Tourism,’ Minister Bartlett outlined a transformative vision for sustainable tourism development. 

The CTO Caribbean Week 2025 continues through June 6, bringing together tourism leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to advance the theme. 

“We stand at the cusp of an era that is uncertain yet laden with possibility,” declared Minister Bartlett. “We have an urgent duty to transform the Caribbean into a paragon of sustainable, resilient, and community-centered tourism. Our story is not one of victimhood—it is one of steadfast resilience and unbreakable unity.” 

The focus of Minister Bartlett’s address was his passionate call for the establishment of a Tourism Resilience Fund specifically designed to support small island developing states across the Caribbean.  

Pictured: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (R) gives Minister of Tourism for Barbados, Hon Ian Gooding-Edghill (L) and Secretary General and CEO of CTO, Donna Regis-Prosper (C) copies of his new co-authored book, ‘Decoding the Future of Tourism’ at CTO Week in New York.

The Minister emphasized that such a fund would serve as both a practical mechanism for crisis response and a symbol of regional commitment to safeguarding tourism’s future. “This Fund is not merely a financial mechanism; it is a symbolic and practical testament to our commitment to safeguarding the future of tourism for small island developing states,” Minister Bartlett stated.  

He also highlighted the pivotal role of the Global Tourism Resilience & Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), which he helped establish, in steering the region through future challenges.  “The GTRCMC stands as more than an institution—it is the backbone of our future strategy, a future where disruptions and shocks are met with swift, coordinated, and science-based actions,” the Minister emphasized. 

Minister Bartlett concluded his address by emphasizing that Caribbean resilience represents more than a theme—it is a strategic imperative that will guide the region’s economic development and global leadership in the coming decades. 

“Let the Caribbean be a beacon of possibility—a region that faced enormous challenges, yet chose collaboration over isolation, sustainability over short-sightedness, and resilience over resignation,” Minister Bartlett stated. “Together, we have the power to craft a tourism model that is inclusive, regenerative, and future-focused.” 

Minister Bartkett is leading a small delegation at CTO Week in New York. The week of activities will feature dynamic discussions, cultural celebrations, and industry networking, including the Caribbean Media Marketplace, Caribbean Media Awards, leadership forums, artificial intelligence panels, and CTO’s high-level business meetings. 

For more information on visiting Jamaica, go to 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