George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
The Canadian-Caribbean Tourism Resilience Symposium: Co-Designing the Next Decade, held July 29–30 at Limberlost Place, brought together tourism leaders, researchers, community partners, and representatives from related sectors, including shipping and transportation, such as Tropical Shipping, to discuss the future of tourism.
Hosted by GBP’s Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), in partnership with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the symposium focused on how destinations can prepare for disruption while continuing to support economic growth and community well-being.
“This symposium was built by listening to the tourism sector and recognizing the importance of the sector to communities and the economy,” said Dr. Tyrone Hall, Head of the Brookfield Sustainability Institute at GBP. “We asked stakeholders across Canada and the Caribbean what challenges they are facing and what issues should be prioritized. Their insights shaped the conversations we had.”
Addressing climate risks to support a sustainable future for tourism
Over two days of keynote presentations, panel discussions and collaborative sessions, leaders explored the issues shaping tourism's future, including climate adaptation, workforce development, supply chains and sustainable growth.
Caribbean representatives shared perspectives on the unique challenges facing island destinations, including the impacts of extreme weather events, rising climate risks and the need for long-term investment in resilient infrastructure and communities.
“Tourism is one of the most powerful economic forces in the world, but its future depends on our ability to innovate and build resilience,” said The Honourable Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica. “Through collaboration between Canada and the Caribbean, we have an opportunity to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships and develop solutions that will help communities and destinations thrive for generations to come.”
“The Caribbean tourism sector has long demonstrated remarkable adaptability, but building true resilience requires strengthening our local capacity, workforce and supply chains,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization. “Through collaboration with Canadian partners on innovation, climate adaptation and sustainable development, we can create solutions that help our destinations thrive and deliver lasting benefits for our communities and future generations.”
Speakers emphasized that tourism is about more than attracting visitors; it is also about supporting the people and communities that make destinations successful.
Strengthening Canada-Caribbean connections
The symposium also highlighted the longstanding ties between Canada and the Caribbean through tourism, culture, education and economic partnerships.
Toronto’s tourism sector was highlighted as an example of the industry’s impact on communities. Kelly Jackson of Destination Toronto shared that the city welcomed more than 28 million visitors in 2025, generating $9.1 billion in food spending.
However, she emphasized that tourism success is about more than visitor numbers.
Jackson highlighted the important role of workers, businesses and community organizations in shaping the visitor experience.
Participants discussed how destinations can continue to grow while ensuring tourism delivers meaningful benefits for the communities that support the sector.
Exploring collaboration and tourism industry innovation
Innovation and technology were also part of the conversation, with participants exploring how emerging tools can support tourism’s future while preserving the human connections and cultural experiences that make destinations unique.
The event reflected George Brown Polytechnic’s commitment to applied research, global partnerships and industry collaboration. As the only North American location of the GTRCMC, George Brown continues to bring together education, research and industry to address real-world challenges facing the tourism sector.
The event also highlighted the next generation of tourism innovators through the Ideas Lab and poster contest, featuring GBP students who showcased their capstone projects and explored solutions for the sector's future.
“For these reasons, George Brown is proud to host this symposium because it reflects what we value as a polytechnic,” said Dr. Gervan Fearon, President of George Brown Polytechnic. “We bring together education, applied research and industry to help solve real-world challenges. That is exactly what this symposium is about.”
The symposium created an opportunity for leaders across Canada and the Caribbean to share experiences, explore approaches to building a more resilient tourism sector, and strengthen ties among our interconnected communities.
Learn how George Brown prepares students for careers in tourism and hospitality management
Read more about George Brown’s local and global Caribbean partnerships
