Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism was bestowed with a Lifetime Achievement Award For Promotion of Sustainable Travel & Tourism by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) International Travel Awards on Wednesday (March 8).

The event, which runs until March 9, is being held under the theme “Open for Change”.

Bartlett, who received the award during the PATWA World Tourism & Aviation Leaders’ Summit at the ITB Berlin, expressed his gratitude and passion for the growth of the tourism industry.

“I am honoured and humbled to receive this Lifetime Achievement Award. I am passionate about tourism, and I am equally passionate about the sustainable development of tourism.  It is the only way that the industry can be leveraged as a catalyst for economic growth and the transformation of communities and nations,” he began.

Barnett added that “for long-term success, tourism must be economically viable, socially inclusive and environmentally friendly. This award is proof that my advocacy is getting traction and has not fallen on deaf ears.”

The PATWA International Travel Awards recognises individuals and organizations that have excelled and are involved in the promotion of tourism from different sectors of the travel trade such as aviation, hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, destinations, government bodies, tourism ministries and other service providers related directly or indirectly to the industry.

Bartlett has become a powerful voice and tireless advocate for global tourism resilience and sustainability. Most recently, he was inducted into the Global Tourism Hall of Fame and received the Travel Pulse award for Global Tourism Innovation.

Additionally, he is the founder and co-chair of the Global Tourism Resilience & Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) headquartered at the Mona campus University of the West Indies (UWI) in Jamaica.

The industrious minister has also co-edited the book Tourism Resilience and Recovery for Global Sustainability and Development: Navigating COVID-19 and the Future, with GTRCMC executive director Professor Lloyd Waller.