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Jamaica Tourism Minister checks progress of Global Tourism Resilience Centre at Kenyatta U

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The Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, paid a visit to Kenyatta University (KU) to review progress towards the setting up of a Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre office that will be based at KU.

The center, the first of its type in Africa, will mirror a similar one already set up in Jamaica at the University of the West Indies. The Minister was hosted by Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paul Wainaina.

Minister Bartlett, who is also a Board member of the African Tourism Board, received an ebony carving gift from the Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor. Also participating in the meeting was the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, Mr. Joe Okudo, and Dr. Felistus Kinyanjui, Chairperson, Department of International Relations and Conflict Studies.

Jamaica Tourism Minister checks progress of Global Tourism Resilience Centre at Kenyatta U
L-R – Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife Mr. Joe Okudo; Chairperson, Department of International Relations and Conflict Studies, Dr. Felistus Kinyanjui; Jamaica Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett
Jamaica Tourism Minister checks progress of Global Tourism Resilience Centre at Kenyatta U
Minister Bartlett received the ebony carving gift from Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor.
Jamaica Tourism Minister checks progress of Global Tourism Resilience Centre at Kenyatta U
Meeting group shot

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

Minister Bartlett to conclude discussions for establishment of first Satellite Center in Kenya

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Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett is currently in Kenya to conclude discussions for the establishment of the first Satellite Center for the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center (GTRCMC), at the Kenyatta University.

Speaking at a meeting earlier today with Kenyan officials, at the offices of Minister of Tourism and Wildlife of Kenya, Hon Najib Balala, Minister Bartlett said, “I am very excited that we are very close to opening the first satellite center for the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center in Kenya. We will head to Kathmandu in Nepal on January 1 to launch the second one. There are also a number of others, which will be launched in 2020.”

The Satellite Center will focus on regional issues and will share information in Nano time with the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center. It will then function as a think tank to develop possible solutions.

The Kenyatta University will collaborate with The University of the West Indies, and by extension the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center — that is tasked with assessing, forecasting, mitigating and managing risks related to tourism resilience, caused by various disruptive factors.

The universities are then expected to sign an MOU, which includes the facilitation of a strategic partnership as it relates to Research and Development; Policy Advocacy and Communication Management; Program/Project Design and Management and Training and Capacity Building.

Minister Balala expressed excitement at the opportunity to collaborate with the GTRCMC, located in Jamaica, as he believes the agreement will be mutually beneficial to both nations.

He also shared that he would, “hold the University’s hand and try to find ways on how we can resolve these issues – from funding but also implementation. They are beyond the tragedies; some of them are beneficial to us, not just as a country but also as a Ministry.”

Executive Director of the GTRCMC, Professor Lloyd Waller added that, “The establishment of satellite Centers will help to create a type of global think tank connected through digital technologies which will be able to share information, collaborate and resolve critical issues through a network of global experts.”

Minister Bartlett will later have bilateral talks with Minister Balala, who is Chair of the UNWTO Executive Council in his capacity as Chair of the Commission of the Americas regarding the Global Summit on Innovation Resilience and Crisis Management scheduled to be hosted by Jamaica on May 21-23, 2020. Jamaica will also host the 65th Regional meeting of the Americas.

The Minister is also in Kenya on official duties with Prime Minister Holness and other government officials. In this capacity, he will attend the he 9th ACP Summit of Heads of State and Government, along with the Prime Minister Holness and Foreign Affairs Minister, Hon Kamina Johnson Smith.

The summit will look into ways of reducing, preventing and overcoming terrorism and insecurity to enhance development while also taking into consideration socioeconomic and cultural issues.

He will also meet with a group of private sector investors interested in Jamaica’s tourism product at a formal dinner hosted by Minister Balala on Tuesday night in Nairobi.

Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett returns to the island on Thursday, December 12, 2019.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

Global Oversight of Travel Advisories Needed, says Bartlett

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The Minister of Tourism for Jamaica, Hon Edmund Bartlett is taking an important step in saying there is a need for global oversight of travel advisories issued for destinations. The Minister made the call at the World Travel Market (WTM), which is being staged in London November 4 to 2019.

Speaking on a WTM panel discussion on ‘Taking responsibility for Safety and Security’, Minister Bartlett said, “this call for global oversight is being made in the context of the significance of tourism as a main economic driver in an increasing number of countries and implications that these advisories can have on the economic viability and stability of countries who are heavily tourism-dependent.”

Travel warnings or advisories are issued by governments to enable travelers to make an informed decision about a particular travel destination and to help travelers prepare adequately for what may be encountered on their trip.

Minister Bartlett, who also made the call at the launch of the World Travel and Tourism Council Crisis Readiness Report in partnership with Global Rescue which was held today during WTM, said whilst Jamaica has not been severely impacted by travel advisories there are other countries who have been.

Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon Najib Balala, also agreed with the sentiment and highlighted the negative impact of old information regarding security and safety issues remaining for years on platforms such as websites, even after the event shave passed.

Globally, tourism represents 10 percent of global GDP and employs 1 in 10 workers of the world. Some small and highly dependent tourism countries have GDP dependence of up to 90 percent as is the case in of a number of Caribbean countries.

“Travel advisories weigh heavily on the decisions of tourists to visit destinations. Many times, these advisories do not have timely review and consequently continue to carry a perspective on the destination which may long have changed thus putting at risk the economic viability of those communities.

There should be a global body that offers some oversight in the area and would intervene on behalf of some of these countries to have adjusted advisories that reflect a more accurate picture as to what is happening,” Minister Bartlett said.

The WTM is a major promotional platform for the JTB. It will feature many Jamaican companies, creating the ideal opportunity to meet industry professionals and conduct business deals. Through its industry networks, the WTM also creates personal and business opportunities while also providing customers with quality contacts, content and communities.

During the WTM, Minister Bartlett will also use the opportunity to increase in outbound travels from the UK, Northern Europe, Russia, Scandinavia, and Nordic region to grow arrivals from these markets.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

Bartlett to Participate in Major Travel Events in London

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, departed the island yesterday to participate in three major global travel trade shows in London, England.

The Minister, who is accompanied by senior officials from his Ministry and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), will participate in the International Tourism and Investment Conference (ITIC) on Global Investment Opportunities in Sustainable Tourism; World Travel Market (WTM) and the Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council’s fourth annual Global Resilience Summit.

The ITIC, which starts tomorrow at the InterContinental London Park Lane, is a global platform for policymakers, tourism ministers, investors and the tourism business community. It addresses the concerns and challenges facing destinations worldwide in areas such as capacity building, infrastructure, human capital, resources, safety and security.

During the event, Minister Bartlett will participate in two panel discussions, alongside senior officials such as Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary of Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Najib Balala EGH; Malta’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Konrad Mizzi; and Chairman of ITIC/ former United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General, Dr. Taleb Rifai.

His panel discussions are titled, ‘Opportunities for Investment in Travel and Tourism Development Projects, Infrastructure and Services,’ and ‘Climate Change and Tourism Resilience Management.’’

He will later join colleagues from the JTB at the World Travel Market on November 4, 2019, in Excel, London.

The Minister is scheduled to participate in discussions on ‘Taking Responsibility for Safety & Security,’ as well as ‘Resilient Destinations in an Age of Increased Disaster Risk and Impact.’

The WTM is a major promotional platform for the JTB. It will feature many Jamaican companies, creating the ideal opportunity to meet industry professionals and conduct business deals. Through its industry networks, the WTM also creates personal and business opportunities while also providing customers with quality contacts, content and communities.

During the WTM, he will also use the opportunity to increase in outbound travels from the UK, Northern Europe, Russia, Scandinavia and Nordic region to grow arrivals from these markets.

The Minister’s final official event in London is the Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council’s fourth annual Global Resilience Summit, where he will join world leaders to discuss the latest developments in resiliency planning, using a combination of case studies, best practices and lessons.

This series of events was created to reflect the increased need for preparedness and crisis management in the modern world and serves to empower delegates with the necessary knowledge to execute resiliency.

Minister Bartlett will return to the island on November 8, 2019.

For more news about Jamaica, please click here.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

African Tourism Board applauds President Kenyatta of Kenya for co-chairing the Global Resilience and Crisis Management Center

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The President of the Republic of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta has accepted Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett’s invitation to be honorary co-chair representing Africa) on the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCM).

Cuthbert Ncube, chairman of the African Tourism Board issued the following statement:

” We want to congratulate the Honourable President of the Republic of Kenya His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta for his new role as the Honourary Co-Chair.

ATB applauds and acknowledges His Excellence for his efforts in implementing a well-coordinated and synchronized approach in sustainable Tourism in Kenya, his involvement with GTRCM will bring much-needed expertise and knowledge within the Global Community.”

The Hon. Minister of Tourism for Jamaica  Edmund Bartlett is a founding member of the African Tourism Board.

President Kenyatta joined the esteemed ranks of Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, former president of Malta, as GTRCM honorary co-chairs.

The African Tourism Board believes tourism is a catalyst for unity, peace, growth, prosperity, job creation for the People of Africa.

More information: www.africantourismboard.com 

MEDIA CONTACT: TravelMarketingNetwork, 954 Lexington Ave. #1037, New York, NY 10021 USA, PH: (+1) 718-374-6816, marketing@travelmarketingnetwork.com   

Go Global Travel completes three additional acquisitions of B2B accommodation providers

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· Go Global Travel welcomes Olympia Europe (UK) and two Italian based companies into its family
· Go Global Travel successfully concluded the integration of last year’s acquisitions in Poland, Romania and South Korea

Go Global Travel Ltd. (“Go Global”), a leading global B2B travel technology and accommodation provider, announced today the acquisition of three B2B accommodation providers including Olympia Europe, UK based hotel wholesaler, and two Italian companies. These transactions follow the successful integration of three acquisitions completed in the past year.

Olympia Europe is an established player in the B2B hotel industry with direct relationships with over 50,000 hotels across the USA, Europe and the Middle East. The experienced management teams of all three acquisitions will join Go Global Travel and continue to expand their local operations.

Go Global is a leading travel technology company offering an innovative booking accommodation platform for B2B clients. Go Global is a global company with 13 multilingual offices around the globe which provide 24/7 local language customer service. The recent acquisitions will expand Go Global’s presence with 3 new offices in Italy and the UK. Go Global Travel is a portfolio company of funds advised by Apax Partners.

Commenting on the acquisitions, Ophir Ben-Ezra, CEO of Go Global, said: “These acquisitions reflect our strategy of solidifying our leading position in local markets and enhancing our service and product for the travel agents. Our M&A activity complements our robust organic growth and positions us to become the provider of choice for travel agents. I am also thrilled to welcome to the Go Global family the experienced management teams of all three acquired companies.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Go Global Travel, Ltd., +972 3 6126191, sales@goglobal.travel

Desperate mayday by American climber injured on Mount Himlung in Nepal

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Global Rescue moved into action at 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) after receiving a mayday call conferenced in by friends of American researcher Dr. John All.

Climbing on a remote Himalayan peak in Nepal called Himlung, All broke through a thin layer of snow and fell 70 feet through a crevasse.

“I’m trapped here,” All said. He sounded desperate, recording first-person video clips from the depths of where he had fallen. Every minute was important to get help to this climber.

Years later, the reason he is enjoying time in Washington can be credited to his satellite phone, fortitude and New Hampshire-based Global Rescue.

When he took his devastating fall, he thought he would die. He spent hours stuck alone with a broken arm, broken ribs and dislocated shoulders.

From his satellite phone, he posted a plea on Facebook that said, “bad shape, need help.”

“Thankfully I didn’t keep falling that way,” All said pointing to the gaping hole in one of his recordings.

The plea for help went directly to Global Rescue, a crisis response firm that provides medical and security evacuation services.

Using 2-way satellite texting, they had critical care paramedic, Jeffrey Weinstein, coach All on how to survive a freezing night on the mountain.

“We received a response from him that said, ‘How long do I have to survive?’” Weinstein said. “He needed to get shelter and he needed to get warmth if he wanted to survive the night.”

Despite his injuries, the 6-foot-5 inch, 240-pound professor and researcher used an ice ax and somehow climbed out of the chasm. It then took him several more hours to crawl to his tent.

Global Rescue was trying to get a helicopter to the scene, but due to inclement weather and limited daylight hours, a rescue wasn’t possible until the next morning. In Nepal, helicopters do not fly at night, making for a long and terrifying night for everyone.

“I knew how badly I was injured. I couldn’t move my arm and I was in piercing agony,” All said.

Even Global Rescue said that All’s efforts were unprecedented – as he helped save his own life by having friends make a call to relay that he was in harm’s way.

All and his research team originally planned to climb near Mt. Everest, but it was shut down after 16 Nepalese guides died in an avalanche. One of those guides was from All’s team.

With the rising dangers of mountain climbing, it pays to always have your cell and satellite phones with you, charged and ready to use.

It is even more important to have a company like Global Rescue standing ready to assist in any way possible at the time of that mayday call. For All, it meant the difference between life and death.

Travel can be unpredictable. Global Rescue has boots on the ground to deliver unmatched travel protection services around the world.

“Global Rescue has been a pioneer in performing difficult rescue missions in difficult places,” said Dan Richards CEO and founder of Global Rescue. “We are proud to have saved the life of Dr. John All and so many others.”
There’re many more reports on Global Rescue missions.

To learn more about Global Rescue and its diverse suite of products and services visit www.GlobalRescue.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Celia Chase, Vice President, Marketing, Global Rescue LLC, Phone: 617-210-8164, cchase@globalrescue.com

Global Rescue: Tourist’s Life Saved after Inhaling Mysterious Airborne Bacteria in Namibia 

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Scott Garrett no longer leaves the country without his Global Rescue membership card in his wallet. Garrett’s incredible story about a life-threatening illness on safari in Namibia is a testament to why his family considers themselves lucky to have Global Rescue.

Garrett is the president of Garrett Trucking in Houston, Texas. A busy man, Garrett found time to take an adventurous vacation with his wife. Their trip took them from Houston to Dubai, Johannesburg and then Namibia.

Two days into the vacation, Garrett inhaled a mysterious airborne bacteria. His breathing became labored, he was coughing frequently and began to experience major fatigue while on safari with his wife.

Garrett remembers telling his wife, “This isn’t that big of a deal. I’ll be fine.” It wouldn’t be long until he realized just how wrong he was.

While Garrett was quick to dismiss the situation, his wife Tanya would not, as Scott’s symptoms were growing serious. His kidneys were failing and some of his other organs had begun shutting down.

Fortunately, Scott and Tanya reached a hospital in time to address the bacterial infection Scott had contracted.

Distance from home combined with a life-threatening illness can result in a horrifying feeling. This was the feeling that Tanya described prior to contacting Global Rescue.

“When Global Rescue was there with me,” Tanya recalls, “I had an understanding partner to help me get through it. I wasn’t alone. I wasn’t just going to be lost in that mess. I wasn’t scared anymore.”

Thanks to Tanya’s quick decision-making and the Garrett’s Global Rescue membership, they were able to access appropriate care for Scott’s rapidly deteriorating condition. Global Rescue directed Garrett to the best nearby facility to address his life-threatening medical issues and deployed personnel to assist Tanya in overseeing her husband’s care.

Even the most cautious international travelers can quickly find themselves in life-threatening situations. Founded in 2004, Global Rescue is better than travel insurance. Different from travel insurance, Global Rescue members don’t have to get involved with the hassle of insurance claims. As the world leader in crisis response, emergency evacuation and field rescue, Global Rescue responds quickly when a member requires swift action.

With a team of renowned medical and security teams stationed around the globe, including seasoned military special operations veterans, Global Rescue provides peace of mind at surprisingly affordable pricing. Global Rescue members have a backup plan in place, taking the worry out of travel.

eTurboNews had reported about Boots on the Ground and Fail To Prepare, Prepare To Fail.

MEDIA CONTACT:  Celia Chase, Vice President, Marketing, Global Rescue LLC, Phone: 617-210-8164, Celia Chase cchase@globalrescue.com

Global Tourism Resilience Center to partner with MIT on sargassum research

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The recently established Global Tourism and Crisis Management Center is set to partner with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to conduct research on the potential threat of sargassum to the destination and wider Caribbean.

Sargassum is a type of brown seaweed. Numerous species are distributed throughout the temperate and tropical oceans of the world, where they inhabit shallow water and coral reefs.

Minister Bartlett, who made the announcement at the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association’s 58th Annual General Meeting at the Hilton Hotel in Montego Bay today, said, “The issue of managing sargassum has become more urgent since large quantities of different species of the algae accumulated along the shores of many of the countries on the Caribbean Sea in 2015.

Sargassum, as a disruptive phenomenon, can negatively impact our destination as when washed up on shore, it often causes a foul odour, releasing fumes of sulphur compounds that rust metals, and damage modern conveniences.”

The Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center, which will open its door in October at the University of the West Indies, Mona, is tasked with assessing (research/monitor), plan-for, forecast, mitigate, and manage risks related to tourism resilience and crisis management. This will be achieved through five objectives – Research and Development, Advocacy and Communication, Program/Project Design and Management, as well as Training and Capacity Building.

“The Center will be partnering with MIT, one of the leading research institutions out of the U.S, to explore the best possible strategies that Jamaica and the Caribbean can implement to be proactive and prevent sargassum from populating our shores,” added Minister Bartlett.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

Global Rescue joins African Tourism Board with a simple mission

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Global Rescue joined the African Tourism Board showing emphasis on their medical, security, evacuation, travel risk and crisis management services to the African continent.  Global Rescue is the world’s leader for such services since its founding in 2004. Their services are delivered anywhere by their teams of critical care paramedics, physicians, nurses, and military special operations veterans.

“Global Rescue is proud to join the African Tourism Board and bring the Safe Travel Partner Program to ATB members. The STPP improves the safety and resilience of destinations by applying safe travel best practices, assets and resources.  This can be used a differentiator in the marketplace by destinations that take the safety of their travelers seriously and are willing to make the investment to provide for that safety” said Global Rescue CEO and founder Dan Richards.

Celia Chase, VP Marketing added: “Our medical advisory and evacuation services include exclusive relationships with the Johns Hopkins Department of Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations, Elite Medical Group and Partners HealthCare. Our track record has made us the chosen provider to government agencies and some of the world’s largest companies, universities, nonprofits, and tour operators. With our Destination Safe Travel Program, Global Rescue will assess, plan and operationalize a plan to improve the perception of a destination by making it a safe travel location in the minds of consumers and partners.

“Our mission is simple – to be there when it matters most.”

African Tourism Marketing Corporation chairman Juergen Steinmetz said: “We’re excited to work with Global Rescue and thank them for their investment to put the African Continent on their map. It will help to make Africa’s tourism product safer and more attractive for the American  Visitor and beyond.”

Founded in 2018, the African Tourism Board an association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to the African region.

More on Global Rescue: www.globalrescue.com/  More on African Tourism Board www.africantourismboard.com

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