Tourism leaders from Canada as well as the Caribbean gathered at George Brown Polytechnic (GBP). It was to explore how collaboration & shared knowledge may strengthen the sector’s future.
The Canadian-Caribbean Tourism Resilience Symposium: Co-designing the Next Decade was held on Wednesday, 29 – Thursday, 30 July ’26, at Limberlost Place. The event brought together tourism leaders, researchers, and community partners besides representatives from related sectors. It also included shipping as well as transportation, such as Tropical Shipping. The symposium was to discuss the future of tourism.
Hosted by GBP’s Global Tourism Resilience & Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), in partnership with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO). This symposium focused on how destinations can prepare for disruptions while continuing to support both economic growth and community well-being.
The head of the Brookfield Sustainability Institute at GBP, Dr Tyrone Hall, said that this symposium was created by listening to the tourism sector. The symposium also involved recognising the importance of the tourism sector to both communities and the economy. Hall added that they had asked stakeholders across Canada & the Caribbean what challenges they were facing besides what issues may be prioritised. The insights they shared shaped the conversations that took place.
Addressing climate risks in supporting a sustainable tourism future
Over 2 days of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and collaborative sessions, leaders explored the issues shaping tourism’s future. This included climate adaptation, workforce development, and supply chains, besides sustainable growth.
Caribbean representatives shared perspectives. They were on the unique challenges facing island destinations. The discussion included the impacts of extreme weather events and rising climate risks besides the need for long-term investment in resilient infrastructure and communities.
The minister of tourism, Jamaica, the Honourable Edmund Bartlett, said that tourism is one of the most powerful global economic forces. However, the future of tourism depends on the Caribbean’s ability to innovate and create resilience. Bartlett added that through collaboration between Canada & the Caribbean, they have an opportunity to share knowledge. Additionally, it is important to strengthen partnerships and develop solutions that will help communities and destinations thrive for generations to come.
