Jamaica’s Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center (GTRCMC) was among the first international tourism organizations to respond to Venezuela’s devastating earthquakes, offering solidarity, expertise, and practical support to help the country rebuild its tourism sector through coordinated resilience and recovery efforts.
Kingston, Jamaica – Demonstrating its role as the world’s leading tourism crisis response organization, Jamaica’s Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center (GTRCMC) has become one of the first international tourism bodies to respond to the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
As Venezuela begins the difficult task of responding to widespread destruction, loss of life, injuries, displacement, and damage to critical infrastructure, the GTRCMC has pledged its full support to assist the country’s tourism sector in its recovery and resilience efforts.
The Center issued a statement expressing its deepest condolences to the Government and people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela while reaffirming its commitment to mobilizing expertise, regional partnerships, and global cooperation to help rebuild one of South America’s important tourism destinations.
Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center – GTRCMC – Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center – GTRCMC
The GTRCMC joined the Government of Jamaica, CARICOM, regional partners, international humanitarian organizations, and the wider international community in expressing solidarity with Venezuela during one of its most challenging moments.
The Honorable Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism and Founder and Co-Chair of the GTRCMC, emphasized that tourism resilience goes beyond rebuilding infrastructure.
“On behalf of the GTRCMC, I extend heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and to all those whose lives and livelihoods have been affected. Venezuela is our neighbor, our partner, and part of the wider Caribbean and Latin American family. In moments of crisis, resilience must be expressed not only in words, but in coordinated action, compassion, and practical support.”
Bartlett noted that the tourism industry is often among the hardest-hit sectors following natural disasters, with damage extending beyond hotels and attractions to entire communities whose livelihoods depend on visitor arrivals. He stressed that rapid international cooperation is essential to preserving tourism’s role as an engine of economic recovery.
As the global leader in tourism resilience, the GTRCMC indicated its readiness to work alongside Venezuelan authorities, regional institutions, and international development partners to support disaster recovery planning, crisis management, capacity building, and long-term tourism resilience strategies.
The Centre’s swift response has once again demonstrated the growing importance of tourism resilience as a critical pillar of sustainable development. Since its establishment in Jamaica, the GTRCMC has played a leading role in helping destinations around the world prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises ranging from natural disasters and pandemics to climate-related events and geopolitical disruptions.
Tourism experts note that timely international engagement is crucial following disasters of this magnitude. Beyond humanitarian assistance, restoring confidence in affected destinations requires coordinated planning, resilient infrastructure, effective communication, and sustained international cooperation.
By responding within hours of the disaster, the GTRCMC has reinforced Jamaica’s position at the forefront of global tourism resilience leadership, offering not only solidarity but practical expertise to help Venezuela navigate recovery and strengthen the resilience of its tourism industry for the future.
