Who We Are

The Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council was formed by Jacobs Media in association with a number of national governments to create an essential partner and resilience expert for anyone in the travel and tourism industries.

The Council has its roots in the International Travel Crisis Management Summit, which was created in 2016 to bring together public and private stakeholders in the travel industry to address challenges and response to crises and disasters, both man-made and environmental, and share best practice and information across destinations and industries.
The International Partnerships team also specialises in introducing international clients to the UK market through bespoke solutions and programmes and helps UK based companies to ‘fast track global networking’ by partnership with the group on international events.
The team works closely with destinations on B2B communications and events including the management of a number of major travel expos such as LATA Expo (on behalf of the Latin America Travel Association, Experience Africa (on behalf of ATTA, the African Travel and Tourism Association), the IGLTA Marketplace (on behalf of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association).
The Resilience Council works in partnership with leading industry figures and organisations, and is supported by multiple governments around the world, including Jordan, South Africa, Jamaica, Greece and Nepal.
It is co-chaired by Jamaica’s tourism minister Edmund Bartlett and Dr Taleb Rifai, former secretary general of the UNWTO, and is overseen by Jacobs Media’s International Partnerships team under the leadership of director Daniela Wagner.

Focus

A key focus is to establish the link between data and sustainability in the development of tourism strategies. Data analysis and technology provide a much broader view of contributions to sustainability through tourism dispersion, cultural product development, experiential opportunities, local community inclusion, regional coalitions and financial parity.

The Council prides itself in the development of sustainable frameworks by:
  • Developing a bespoke platform where regional or crisis-specific knowledge can be shared to secure funding 
  • Using media sources and email distribution networks throughout the world to communicate lessons learned
  • Connecting partners and service providers in need of solutions
  • Hosting events to build internal and external awareness, as well as networking opportunities
  • Identifying and showcasing services, tools and methodologies 
  • Publishing case studies and white papers on the Resilience Council website.  
  • Hosting masterclasses across the globe where the public and private sectors meet i.e. ITB, WTTC, WTM, Resilience Council Summit, Think Tanks etc.
  • Providing data for press events and releases

Mission

Uniting the travel and tourism industry for sustainable growth.

Collaboration

It’s all about collaboration and partnerships.  The Council searches the planet for best in breed travel leaders, enterprises and associations across the public and private sectors.  Our goal is simple, to support destinations and businesses to minimise the impact of crisis situations, yet maximise learnings while embedding a resilient culture. It is through partnering with others, the Council is able to bring forward and highlight knowledge and experience for the benefit of many.  Additionally and most importantly, we are so pleased to have the former secretary general of the UNWTO, Dr. Taleb Rifai and the current Minister of Tourism for Jamaica, Edmund Bartlett at our helm.
Our leaders, and our partners continuously, collectively and productively move the sector forward. By working with governments across the world, the Council develops a programme of Summits for highly selective audiences. This crucial platform enables leaders, partners and the media to unite, speak, share and understand the reality of crises’ challenges, impact and the ability to overcome. This approach reinforces that no travellers, destinations or nations stand alone when facing or recovering from a crisis.
The Resilience Council through its partnerships and with the full support of the Travel Weekly Group provides proactive, practical and sustainable solutions quickly and expertly supporting the sector in times of  growth and challenge.  It is able to connect members of the community, be it business or leisure, as well as sector associations including  GTRCMC, UNDRR, UNWTO, WTTC, PATA, USTOA, ATB, Travel Cares, CLIA, and BTA.

Meet the team

  • Hon. Edmund Bartlett

    MP Government of Jamaica & Co-Chair of the Resilience Council

  • Dr. Taleb Rifai

    Former Secretary General, UNWTO

  • Laurie Myers

    Global Strategist, Resilience Council, Jacobs Media

  • Daniela Wagner

    Group Business Development Director, Jacobs Media

  • Duncan Horton

    Group CEO, Jacobs Media

  • Andy Hibberd

    Head of International Projects, Jacobs Media