Possible establishment of a GTRCMC at the University of Manila

Durrant Pate/ Contributor

Jamaica is currently forging a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Philippines Department of Tourism aimed at strengthening tourism ties between the two nations.

The proposed MOU will concentrate on key areas designed to stimulate mutual growth, innovation, and collaboration within the tourism industry. A key focus of the MOU is human capital development, an area where the Philippines excels, training over 170,000 tourism professionals annually. 

The MOU would also encourage collaboration in the development of local crafts with both countries sharing expertise in utilizing indigenous materials to create value-added products. Additionally, the MOU would focus on sustainability and resilience initiatives, including the establishment of a Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) at the University of Manila. 

Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett, who is in Manila, where he was honoured with the prestigious Gusi Peace Prize in Manila on Wednesday, November 27 led productive discussions regarding a potential MOU. He was awarded Gusi Peace Prize in recognition of his exceptional contributions to global tourism, in particular his groundbreaking efforts in building a resilient and sustainable global tourism industry.

Efforts to create more resilient tourism systems 

During the awards ceremony, the Tourism Minister emphasized that this partnership for the establishment of a Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) at the University of Manila would reinforce efforts to create more resilient tourism systems and promote sustainable practices in both countries. The two nations also discussed the potential for collaboration in community-based tourism with Minister Bartlett suggesting that Jamaica could benefit from the Philippines’ successful village tourism model.

He emphasized that Jamaica could benefit significantly from this collaboration by enhancing the skill set of its own tourism workforce and improving service excellence across the island. The Minister expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of Jamaican artisans learning from their Filipino counterparts, who have successfully transformed local resources like pineapple and banana fibres into garments and other products. 

According to him, “Our artisans can gain valuable insights into how to turn everyday materials such as coffee and bananas into high-quality, marketable products. The Philippines has done exceptional work in this field, and we look forward to collaborating with them to unlock new possibilities for our own rich natural resources.”

Other areas of discussions

Another key topic of discussion was enhancing air connectivity between Jamaica and the Philippines, potentially connecting Jamaica to major Asian destinations such as Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan. Minister Bartlett highlighted that improved connectivity could lead to a significant increase in tourism arrivals, benefiting both countries’ economies.

In conclusion, Bartlett announced that the Philippines’ Secretary of Tourism, Christina Garcia-Frasco, is scheduled to visit Jamaica in February 2025. During her visit, the two nations will finalize the details of the MOU at the 3rd Global Tourism Resilience Conference, which will take place from February 17-19, 2025, at the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort in Negril.