On August 6, 2024, Jamaica’s Independence Day, the Hon. Dr. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, was awarded the Order of Jamaica, the nation’s fifth-highest honor, equivalent to a knighthood in the United Kingdom. Established in 1969, the Order of Jamaica recognizes citizens of exceptional distinction. Dr. Bartlett received this prestigious accolade for his significant contributions to tourism, human resource development, sustainability, and climate resilience. With over 40 years of public service, including 38 years in politics and 21 years as a government minister, Dr. Bartlett has been a visionary leader and innovator in both tourism and politics.
His leadership is marked by the founding of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) in 2018, an international think-tank headquartered in Jamaica, with branches in Africa ( Kenya; Kenyatta University), Canada, and the Middle East. The GTRCMC supports global tourism stakeholders in preparing for, managing, and recovering from crises through services such as training, crisis communications, policy advice, and research. The center focuses on climate resilience, security, cybersecurity, digital transformation, entrepreneurial resilience, and pandemic resilience. Dr. Bartlett’s dedication to adding value and creating opportunities has solidified his legacy as a transformative figure in the global tourism industry.
