More International support for tourism in the wake of Dusit attack

The international tourism fraternity has continued to offer support to Kenya shrug off negative publicity over the recent Dusit Hotel terror attack.

The yet to be launched Global Tourism Resilience Centre is the latest to have extended a hand of help to Kenyan tourism which is on a full recovery path after years of dwindling performances.

The official opening for the Global Tourism Resilience Center is planned on January 20, and the center is busy already reaching out to Kenya.

In a statement, a copy of which the Standard saw Crisis Management Centre founder, Ed Bartlett who is also Jamaica's Minister for Tourism, also condemned the recent terror attack that was launched at the dusitD2 luxury hotel in Kenya.

“Attacks like these threaten the lives and live hoods of countries globally and we condemn them. Our prayers and thoughts are with the people of Kenya who have been affected and deeply impacted,” said Minister Bartlett.

Minister Bartlett has also indicated that the Centre stands ready to support Kenya in their recovery programme.

He condoled with Kenyans and all victims of the attack and wished the injured a quick recovery.

''On behalf of the people of Jamaica, Jamaica's Tourism Ministry, we wish to express our deepest condolences to families affected and the general Kenyan population,'' he said.

Bartlett also consoled with Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Mr Najib Balala who is also chairman of the UNWTO Africa Tourism Commission which will be collaborating with Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre

“These acts of terror have also brought to the fore the urgent need for strategic infrastructure and mechanisms to be able to detect, manage and recover and this is where the Global Resilience Centre comes in and will play its part in this regard.

He added that the Centre therefore stands ready to support the recovery efforts.

The Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, which will be housed at the University of the West Indies Mona, was first announced during the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) Global Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth: Partnerships for Sustainable Tourism, held in Montego Bay last November.

Its formation is as a response to political turmoil, climatic events, pandemics, shifting global economies as well as crime and violence which can be devastating to travel and tourism.