Jamaica Leads Global Tourism Future With World Travel Week 2026 in Negril and Resilience Awards

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Jamaica will host the global travel industry during World Travel Week 2026, in October, at the Princess Resorts in Negril. Jamaica’s Tourism Ministry made this announcement at the World Travel Awards in Dubai. Jamaica will have the opportunity to take the lead of travel sector trends in the future. Jamaica also has the opportunity to encourage innovation in international tourism and cooperation. The week will feature the launch of the Tourism Resilience Awards. The awards will be given to those individuals, businesses, and communities that have shown great resilience in the face of challenges brought on by natural disasters, viruses, economic downturns, or climate change.

The event is expected to bring together key tourism stakeholders from around the world, with Jamaica positioning itself as a hub for discussions on innovation, resilience and the future growth of the sector. The announcement reinforces the island’s efforts to strengthen its influence in global tourism conversations.

During the Dubai event, Jamaica also introduced the Tourism Resilience Awards, a new recognition programme celebrating individuals, organisations and communities across Jamaica and the wider region that have demonstrated exceptional strength during periods of crisis.

The initiative will honour those who have responded effectively to challenges including hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruptions and climate-related impacts, recognising their contribution to building a stronger and more adaptable tourism industry.

“Tourism resilience is not an abstract concept to us. It is a lived reality,” Bartlett said, citing the hotel workers, tour operators, and guesthouse owners who kept the industry moving through crisis. He added that the initiative would help document and share best practices with destinations worldwide. “World Travel Week gives us an opportunity to share that knowledge, showcase our innovation and connect with global partners on solutions that will strengthen tourism for the future.”

Director of Tourism Donovan White said, “Jamaica has earned its place as one of the world’s most recognised tourism destinations and hosting World Travel Week will showcase our exemplary hospitality and world class experiences.”  

Jamaica has invited regional and international tourism partners, private-sector leaders and academic institutions to participate in World Travel Week 2026, aiming to highlight the country’s approach to building a stronger and more resilient tourism sector. The event will showcase how Jamaica has turned past disruptions into valuable knowledge, strategies and solutions that can support the wider global travel industry.

The gathering will form part of the World Travel Awards, an internationally recognised programme established in 1993 to celebrate, reward and acknowledge excellence across the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors. Over the years, the World Travel Awards brand has become a global benchmark for industry achievement and recognition.

World Travel Week 2026 will feature a wide range of major industry events, including the World Travel Awards, World MICE Awards, World Culinary Awards, World Social Media Awards, World Travel Tech Awards, World Cruise Awards, World Villa Awards, 10 Best Showcase and Global Tourism Resilience Awards. The programme will bring together leading voices from across the tourism ecosystem to recognise innovation, excellence and resilience across the global travel industry.