São Luís, Brazil – Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett (centre) engages in a light conversation with Brazilian Tourism Minister, Celso Sabino (left) and Governor of the State of Maranhão, Carlos Brandão following the recent signing of a sustainable tourism Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) and Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism.
In a significant move towards strengthening global tourism resilience, the Jamaica-based Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) and Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism have formalized a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This collaboration aims to fortify the tourism industry against multifaceted challenges and bolster its sustainability.
The MOU, signed in a ceremony held in São Luís, Brazil, outlines four pivotal areas of cooperation: climate resilience in tourism, entrepreneurial tourism resilience, tourism security resilience, and tourism pandemic resilience. Minister Bartlett and his Brazilian counterpart, Celso Sabino, joined the Governor of Maranhão, Carlos Brandão, to cement this partnership that promises to equip industry stakeholders with tools to navigate future adversities more proficiently.
Emphasizing the criticality of this alliance, Minister Bartlett noted, “Building resilience has become the foundation on which sustainability can be achieved. So, my colleague, Minister Sabino and I will build, together, an intellectual institution to develop resilience and make stakeholders capable of recognising difficulties and overcoming them quickly, with the best information, good ideas and innovation.”
A key feature of this collaboration is the establishment of a GTRCMC satellite centre at the University of San Luis, set to open in September 2024. This inauguration will coincide with the G20 Tourism Ministers’ meeting, where Minister Bartlett is scheduled to present insights on tourism resilience and sustainability.
In addition to these developments, Jamaica is set to become the most connected English-speaking Caribbean destination to Brazil, and by extension, South America. High-level discussions led by Minister Bartlett and Minister Sabino centered on achieving full air connectivity between the two nations and augmenting tourism cooperation. The Brazilian government’s openness to incentivize airlines operating on this route marks a significant step toward improved connectivity and travel facilitation.
“This will undoubtedly deepen our social and cultural ties to South America, opening the door to new economic opportunities for all countries in the region. Our meetings with Brazilian stakeholders underscore our commitment to fostering sustainable growth and expanding Jamaica’s reach in Latin America,” Minister Bartlett added.
Bartlett’s visit to Brazil also included extensive discussions with both public and private sector stakeholders aimed at further reinforcing tourism partnerships. This collaboration is anticipated to substantially increase the influx of Brazilian tourists to Jamaica, thus driving economic growth and development in the country.
As these strategic initiatives unfold, the MOU between GTRCMC and Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism stands as a beacon of international cooperation and commitment to a resilient, sustainable future for global tourism.
