Bengaluru: Tourism cooperation between Jamaica and Greece is set to expand, with new opportunities emerging for workforce development and international scholarships. The initiative comes following a courtesy meeting between Greece’s Ambassador-designate to Jamaica, Efthymios Efthymiades, and Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, during Diplomatic Week 2026.
During the discussions, Ambassador Efthymiades confirmed that the Hellenic Republic will recommend allocations for tourism-focused scholarships. These programmes are expected to create new pathways for Jamaican nationals to gain international training and build skills in the global tourism sector.
Minister Bartlett welcomed the move, emphasizing the importance of strengthening human capital in an evolving tourism landscape. He highlighted that nearly 70% of the global tourism workforce is considered low-skilled and noted that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and nanotechnology will transform the industry, making upskilling essential.
Both sides agreed to work toward a Memorandum of Understanding focused on training, scholarships, and workforce development. The partnership aims to serve as a model for knowledge exchange and capacity building between the two tourism-dependent nations.
The Minister also expressed interest in establishing a satellite location of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre in Crete. This proposal reflects the shared vulnerability of both countries to global tourism disruptions and their commitment to strengthening resilience.
Discussions further explored improving air connectivity through Panama, where Jamaica plans to increase weekly flights from 13 to 15. Additionally, Jamaica is keen to learn from Greece’s globally recognized maritime tourism programmes to diversify its tourism offerings. 🚢
Ambassador Efthymiades reaffirmed his commitment to building a results-oriented partnership, highlighting Jamaica’s strong international brand and the significant potential for collaboration in resilience, training, and sustainable tourism development.
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