Jamaica has been elected to serve on the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) executive council alongside Colombia for the next four years, to end in 2027.

The decision was made during the 68th UNWTO Commission for the Americas Meeting (CAM) currently underway in Quito, Ecuador. The executive council is responsible for the management and implementation of strategic decisions carried out by the UNWTO.

In celebrating the achievement, Jamaican Tourism Tourism Edmund Bartlett reponded, “Jamaica has been among the top-performing countries in the Americas leading a robust recovery in travel and tourism. Being elected alongside Colombia to represent our regional colleagues is an incredible honour, and we look forward to contributing wholesomely to the organization’s thrust to promote tourism as a driver of sustainable economic growth for developing nations especially.”

He added that Jamaica is thrilled by the expression of confidence by fellow member states.

“I continue to invite deeper collaboration among regional partners as we work to build resilience regionally and internationally. We are among the most tourism-dependent regions in the world, and it is imperative that our views are represented at the highest level,” Bartlett mused.

Other decisions arising from the meeting include the Dominican Republic’s selection to serve as president of the Regional Commission for Americas for 2023-2025. Argentina and Paraguay have been selected to serve as vice-presidents of CAM for the same period as well as for the UNWTO General Assembly to be held in October.

Bartlett has been participating in a series of panels, presentations and seminars focused on tourism investment trends and opportunities in the Americas.

A highlight of the 68th CAM was the investment seminar that explored the promotion of investments through technical cooperation, building capacity for tourism development and accessing financing that accelerates climate resilience in the regional sector.

It was agreed that Cuba would host next year’s 69th CAM.