Negril on Track to Fully Reopen on December 15

Speaking in Negril on November 28, 2025, Minister Bartlett confirmed that the town’s December 15 reopening is secured, thanks to rapid community-driven cleanup efforts and unwavering investor confidence, positioning the destination for a strong winter season after the disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa.

New $1 Billion Fund Established to Assist Tourism Workers Impacted by Melissa

During a recovery tour in Ocho Rios on November 24, 2025, Minister Bartlett outlined the creation of a $1 billion public-private fund designed to support tourism workers with housing and rehabilitation needs following Hurricane Melissa, accelerating the sector’s rebound ahead of the winter season.

Jamaica Becomes Caribbean’s Most Connected Destination

In Montego Bay on September 23, 2025, at JAPEX 2025 Minister Bartlett revealed that Jamaica has soared to the top of regional connectivity, achieving unmatched global links through expanded airlift, major infrastructure upgrades, and strategic workforce investments.

Bartlett Names Local First Task Force to Drive Inclusive Tourism Growth

Announced in Montego Bay on September 25, 2025, Minister Edmund Bartlett’s establishment of the Local First Task Force, chaired by Hon. Tova Hamilton, signals a decisive move to strengthen local capacity, reshape policy frameworks, and ensure that Jamaica retains more of the economic value generated as visitor numbers climb.

Global Tourism Resilience Conference 2025

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett called for global tourism stakeholders to embrace digital technologies to build industry resilience at the opening of the 3^rd Global Tourism Resilience Conference & Expo, held from February 17-19, 2025, at the Princess Grand Jamaica, Hanover.

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Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett addresses delegates at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Caribbean Week at the Intercontinental Hotel in New York on Monday June 1, 2026.

Jamaica Reimagines Tourism through Bold 3.0 Agenda

Minister Bartlett Highlights Resilience, Workforce Development and Sustainable Growth as Cornerstones of Tourism's Next Chapter MANHATTAN, New York; Tuesday, June 2, 2026 — Jamaica's tourism sector is entering a new era of transformation under the banner of Tourism 3.0, a bold strategy aimed at repositioning the destination for sustained growth, enhanced competitiveness and greater benefits for Jamaican workers and communities. Speaking at the opening of CTO Caribbean Week in New York yesterday, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, underscored the remarkable resilience of Jamaica's tourism sector, noting that despite a series of global disruptions, the industry has continued to demonstrate its strength and adaptability. “In every instance, the real resilience that is the essence of tourism manifested itself in Jamaica,” said Minister Bartlett. “These disruptions have bent us a little bit, but they have not broken the spirit of the Jamaican people.”

Bartlett Embarks on Strategic Tourism Missions to New York and Spain

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Monday, June 1, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has departed the island for a series of high-level tourism engagements this month in New York and Spain aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s global tourism partnerships, advancing regional collaboration and reinforcing the country’s leadership in tourism resilience and sustainability. The tourism minister is participating in the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Caribbean Week in New York from June 1-5, where he will join regional tourism leaders, travel trade partners, media representatives and industry stakeholders in a packed programme of leadership fora, business meetings, cultural showcases and networking events. During the week, Minister Bartlett will participate in meetings of the CTO Council of Ministers and engage with key tourism stakeholders while supporting efforts by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and local tourism partners to promote Jamaica’s diverse tourism offerings in one of the island’s most important source markets.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left) throws out a challenge to the Jamaica Dental Association (JDA) to partner in Jamaica’s drive to secure a share of the lucrative dental health tourism market. He delivered the keynote address at the 62nd convention of the JDA at the Princess Grand Jamaica in Green Island, Hanover, on Thursday, May 21, 2026, directing his remarks to (seated from left) JDA President, Dr. Wendy Chuck-Francis; Convention Chair, Dr. Chinel Lee and co-chair, Dr. Jordan McNeil.

Jamaica Seeks to Secure Share of Global Medical and Dental Tourism Market

GREEN ISLAND, Hanover, Jamaica; Wednesday, May 27, 2026: Jamaica is positioning itself to secure a share of the multi-billion-dollar global medical and dental tourism market as it intensifies efforts to penetrate new and emerging tourism markets. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says the health and wellness subsector presents enormous opportunities for Jamaica, noting that the global medical and dental tourism market is currently valued at between US$10 billion and US$15 billion and is projected to grow rapidly over the next decade to between US$41 billion and US$65 billion. Addressing the 62nd Convention of the Jamaica Dental Association (JDA) at the Princess Grand Jamaica recently, Minister Bartlett pointed to destinations already capitalising on the lucrative industry by combining high-quality medical procedures with vacation experiences.