UCC's 8th Annual Research Conference on Tourism Innovation Marks a Significant Academic Milestone
Photo 1: A section of the audience at UCC’s 8th Annual Research Conference. Front row (from left) Dr. Winston I. Adams OD JP, Group Executive Chairman; Mrs. Geraldine Adams, Deputy Group Executive Chair, UCC; Professor Colin Gyles CD, President of UCC; Mr. Bancroft Barwise, Chief Financial Officer
Photo 2: Dr. the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica presents Professor Colin Gyles CD, President of UCC with copies of his books at UCC’s 8th Annual Research Conference.
Kingston, Jamaica, October 2, 2024 —The University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) successfully hosted its 8th Annual Research Conference on September 25 and 26, 2024, focusing on 'Navigating New Horizons: Innovations in Tourism for Sustainable Development'. The event underscored UCC's pivotal role in leading tourism education and setting new benchmarks for academic explorations in sustainability.
The conference commenced with an insightful keynote by Dr. The Honourable Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, who emphasized the critical role of innovation in adapting the tourism sector to global shifts. Highlighting the need for resilience amidst vulnerabilities, Minister Bartlett said, “Innovation is not just about inventing; it's about transforming and adding value to meet the demands of today and tomorrow”. He shared insights into Jamaica's proactive efforts in global tourism crisis management and outlined the strategic focus on sustainability, particularly through eco-tourism and wellness tourism, which significantly contribute to the local economy and community empowerment.
On the second day, Dr. Carey Wallace, Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, delivered another compelling keynote, encouraging the youth to harness Jamaica’s rich cultural assets for economic transformation. “Our true gold lies in our vibrant culture, music, food, and natural resources,” Dr. Wallace noted, advocating for innovative strategies to elevate Jamaica to a first-world nation.
Significant to the conference's success were the contributions from UCC’s own researchers and students. Under the guidance of Professor John Fulton, Director of Research at UCC, students showcased their research through presentations and posters, actively contributing to the evolving body of knowledge on sustainable tourism. Noteworthy student research presentations included ‘The Impact of Agricultural Land Conversion on Farmers: The Case of Bernard Lodge’ by Collington Rowe and Denroy Booth; and ‘An Investigation into the Relationship between Job Satisfaction and Teacher Engagement at a Co-Educational Secondary Institution in Central Jamaica’ by Chantelle Coley and Robert Foster to name a few. UCC’s staff members Desree Ebanks Hanna and Jenise Bolton Sanchez’ research presentation on ‘Digital Deception: Unmasking the Impact of Disinformation in Jamaica's Tourism’ and Shanique Hutchinson’s research presentation on ‘East meets west: Exploring the intercultural opportunities for Jamaican and Japanese Tertiary Students Through Educational Tourism’ were appropriate given the theme for the conference.
President of UCC, Professor Colin Gyles, highlighted the engaging discussions and the active participation that characterized the event. “This conference has not only inspired innovation but has also demonstrated the practical implications of our academic endeavors in shaping a sustainable tourism landscape,” he remarked.
The panel discussions and workshops covered a range of emerging topics such as Artificial Intelligence in Tourism and Medical Tourism, featuring global experts like Professor Larry Medsker from the University of Vermont and Dr. Derek Watson from the University of Sunderland. These sessions provided invaluable insights into cutting-edge practices and theoretical advancements.
UCC’s commitment to academic excellence and its influential role in global tourism discussions were evident throughout the conference. The active engagement of its faculty and students in presenting innovative ideas and research underscores UCC's dedication to leading the discourse on sustainable tourism development.
