Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett is set to receive a Tourism ICON honour at the PYNE Awards Africa 2026, recognising his leadership in tourism resilience and efforts to strengthen partnerships between Africa, the Caribbean and the wider Global South.

Bartlett will receive the award during the three-day event, which is scheduled for September 24–26 in Maputo, Mozambique.

The PYNE Awards recognise leaders across Africa, the Caribbean and the Diaspora who are contributing to innovation, youth empowerment, economic transformation and resilience.

Bartlett’s recognition highlights his work in placing tourism resilience at the centre of the global tourism agenda.

One of his major initiatives has been the establishment of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre in Jamaica.

The centre has become an international platform focused on helping tourism destinations prepare for, respond to and recover from disruptions, including climate change, pandemics and geopolitical shocks.

Bartlett also played a leading role in the campaign for the United Nations to designate February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day.

“This recognition from Africa, in the beautiful nation of Mozambique, is deeply significant,” Bartlett said.

“It affirms that resilience is a shared language between the Caribbean and Africa. From Maputo to Montego Bay, we face many of the same climate threats, economic vulnerabilities and development challenges, and we must build solutions together.”

The award also reflects growing interest in Jamaica’s approach to tourism resilience among emerging destinations across Africa and the wider Global South.

As countries seek to strengthen their tourism sectors, attract investment and create opportunities for communities and young people, resilience has become an increasingly important part of sustainable tourism development.

Bartlett has advocated for a tourism model that puts people, communities, youth, innovation and small states at the centre of development, while calling for greater international cooperation and investment to help destinations withstand and recover from global disruptions.

The PYNE Awards Africa 2026 will bring together heads of state, government ministers, business leaders, investors, youth leaders and other stakeholders to discuss African leadership, investment, innovation and tourism growth.