Edmund Bartlett: From global resilience to Jamaica’s Order of Jamaica
Published:Sunday | October 13, 2024 | 12:11 AMJanet Silvera - Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett’s journey to receiving the Order of Jamaica (OJ) reflects his lifelong commitment to public service and the tourism industry.
His latest recognition, the nation’s fourth-highest honour, adds to the many accolades he has received globally. Yet, as he reflects, being recognised by his home country carries a unique significance.
“Frankly, it’s a great feeling,” Bartlett told The Sunday Gleaner, reflecting on the award, which he will receive officially next week Monday on National Heroes Day.
Despite having received honours across the world, including being inducted into the Global Travel Hall of Fame, Bartlett says this national acknowledgement stands out as one of the most humbling moments of his career.
Bartlett’s contributions to Jamaica’s tourism sector span decades, significantly elevating the country’s global standing in tourism resilience.
A pivotal aspect of his work has been establishing the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), which focuses on building resilience against various disruptions. With growing global reach, the centre has established satellites in regions like the Middle East, Europe, and soon, Australia. Its mission is to predict, mitigate, and manage disruptions, such as natural disasters, pandemics, and economic instability. By collecting data and sharing best practices, these centres serve as vital knowledge hubs for nations worldwide.
“The idea is to not only predict disruptions – like earthquakes, pandemics, or economic shifts – but also to manage them effectively when they arise,” Bartlett explained in a Sunday Gleaner interview.
“We have tools and protocols in place to help countries recover quickly and ultimately thrive post-disruption.”
This forward-thinking approach to tourism resilience has established Bartlett as a thought leader. His work with the GTRCMC, in collaboration with academic institutions like George Washington University and the Brookings Institute, shows his dedication to long-term sustainability and risk management in the tourism sector. These efforts likely played a role in him being awarded the Order of Jamaica.
Bartlett’s public service career began long before he assumed the tourism portfolio. His interest in public life ignited during high school, propelling him into the political arena at just 22 years old. Over 49 years in politics, he has championed numerous causes both domestically and internationally.
As the longest-serving tourism minister in the world, Bartlett has led Jamaica to global prominence. His roles in organisations such as the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the World Travel and Tourism Council , and the Organization of American States have positioned Jamaica as a key player in global tourism policy. In fact, under his leadership, Jamaica introduced a Global Resilience Day on February 17, recognised by 94 countries – another testament to his impact.
One of Bartlett’s most significant contributions to Jamaica’s tourism sector has been his focus on worker development and social security. In 2017, he spearheaded a programme that allowed high school students to earn associate degrees in hospitality and customer service, elevating the skill levels within the industry. This programme is now used as a model for other countries.
Additionally, Bartlett has been a driving force behind the Tourism Workers’ Pension Plan, which he prides himself as conceptualising in 2010. Officially passed into law under his leadership, the plan now has over $3 billion in contributions and covers more than 10,000 tourism workers, providing them with a safety net for retirement and professionalizing the industry.
International influence
As Bartlett’s contributions continue to shape Jamaica’s tourism sector, his international influence remains strong. Whether in Australia for the G20 Summit on Tourism or collaborating with think tanks on tourism’s role in economic transformation, his reach extends far beyond the borders of Jamaica. It’s a legacy of leadership that will continue to shape not only tourism but also the socio-economic development of nations worldwide.
During the interview, Bartlett reflected on his decades-long journey in public service, sharing personal insights and accomplishments that have shaped his career.
Over the past decade, Bartlett has been a driving force behind the boom in the industry. Under his leadership, the island has seen an exponential increase in visitor arrivals and tourism earnings, despite global challenges such as the pandemic and travel advisories.
Reflecting on these achievements, he noted, “When we started our Five by Five by Five plan in 2016, Jamaica welcomed around 3 million visitors. Today, we’ve nearly doubled that number, with 4.3 million arrivals and over $4 billion in earnings.”
He acknowledged that this growth was not achieved alone, praising the dedicated team that has worked alongside him to elevate Jamaica’s tourism sector.
“It takes people to convert ideas into service and substance,” he said, naming figures like Adam Stewart, Omar Robinson, Clifton Reader, Evelyn Smith, Nicola Madden Greig, and Robin Russell, Burt Wright, Godfrey Dyer, and John Byles, among those who have been instrumental in the journey.
However, Bartlett also pointed out the obstacles that remain, particularly in terms of room expansion and airlift capacity. Delays in aircraft manufacturing and bureaucratic inefficiencies have slowed the rate of growth, with Jamaica facing a shortfall in available seats and delayed hotel projects. Yet, he remains optimistic, noting that there are currently 10,000 hotel rooms in the pipeline, including developments from Hard Rock and Princess Hotels, which will contribute significantly to future growth.
A major focus of Bartlett’s tenure has been shifting the perception of tourism workers from low-skill labourers to highly valued professionals.
“The mischief we’ve tried to correct is the perception that tourism work is low-end, with no scope for mobility,” he said, emphasising the importance of developing a skilled workforce, which, in turn, elevates Jamaica’s tourism product. “Highly skilled people attract larger remuneration, and their productivity enhances the industry as a whole.”
Offers certification pathways
To this end, Bartlett established the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation, which offers certification pathways through partnerships with institutions such as the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute. This initiative has provided tourism workers with the skills necessary for upward mobility, creating opportunities for innovation and enhancing the overall value of the tourism experience.
While Bartlett’s contributions to tourism are well-documented, it is his work in human capital development that he considers the crowning achievement of his career. Over the past 44 years, Bartlett has led an education development programme in St James East Central, where he serves as member of parliament (MP), offering scholarships and grants to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“We’ve been able to carry an education development program for the less privileged children,” he said, adding that more than 10,000 students have benefited from this initiative.
The programme has supported students from primary school to university, with many now working in professional fields across the globe.
Bartlett spoke with pride about a medical student who recently graduated and is now practising at the Spanish Town Hospital, one of many success stories from the programme.
Another pivotal moment
“For me, that has been the crowning glory of my political life,” he shared, noting that his investment in education has transformed lives and strengthened communities.
Another pivotal moment in Bartlett’s career was his decision to leave a secure parliamentary seat – St Andrew Eastern, where he was MP between 1980 and 1993 – to rebuild the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) base in western Jamaica. At a time when the party’s fortunes were fading, Bartlett took on the challenge of reviving its presence in St James. His efforts paid off. Within five years, the JLP had won three out of four seats in the parish and today holds all the seats in Cornwall, with the exception of the vacant Trelawny Southern, which the part had also won in 2020.
Reflecting on this accomplishment, Bartlett said, “Building back the fortunes of the party in St James and western Jamaica is another high point of my political life. It was about more than politics; it was about giving people hope and creating opportunities for development,” he told The Sunday Gleaner.
Bartlett remains focused on the future, confident that Jamaica will continue to thrive as a global tourism leader and a beacon of resilience in challenging times.
A father of two, he is married to Carmen, a union that has withstood over 50 years.