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 gesticulates as he addresses the 48th Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic (CAA) Region at the Moon Palace Jamaica Hotel, St. Ann on Monday, August 31, 2026.

Parliament Must Become Trusted Source of Accurate Information - Bartlett

OCHO RIOS, Jamaica; Wednesday, September 2, 2026: Veteran parliamentarian and globally celebrated thought leader, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has underscored that the system of Parliament must become a trusted, fact-based institution in the digital age. “Let Parliament be the centre of facts and dismiss beliefs,” the former House Leader in Jamaica’s Parliament said as he challenged regional colleagues. He called for the system of Parliament to undergo a fundamental digital transformation while remaining a trusted source of accurate information and democratic accountability. Addressing the 48th Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic (CAA) Region, at the Moon Palace Jamaica resort, St. Ann earlier this week, Minister Bartlett said technology had fundamentally changed the relationship between citizens and their elected representatives, making it imperative for legislatures to become more open, accessible and resilient.

Bartlett to Co-Chair World Economic Forum Tourism Day 2026 on September 26

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, August 27, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Founder and Co-Chair of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), will serve as Co-Chair of the highly anticipated World Economic Forum Tourism Day 2026, which will be observed on September 26. The appointment recognizes Jamaica’s global leadership in tourism resilience, innovation, and sustainable development, and positions the GTRCMC, headquartered in Jamaica, as a key partner in shaping the future of international travel. In accepting the role, Minister Bartlett said: "I am deeply honoured to Co-Chair the World Economic Forum Tourism Day 2026. Tourism is vital infrastructure — for economies, for cultures, and for resilience.” He noted that: “As Co-Chair, I will advance three priorities: investing in people as Culture Champions to lead innovation; investing in data for real-time global risk intelligence; and investing in solidarity so that no destination faces a crisis alone.”

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (right) receives a welcome hug, one of the many he received on his tour of Royalton Negril on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Management and staff were out in their numbers to greet the Minister at the restart of operations following a multi-million-dollar restoration in the wake of last year’s hurricane.

Workers Joyful as Royalton Negril Reopens Amid Wider Tourism Recovery

NEGRIL, Jamaica; Thursday, August 27, 2026: Pulsating music, dance and colourful dresses marked the reopening of the Royalton Negril hotel and the return of nearly 1,000 workers to their jobs. The hotel reopened at 50 percent occupancy, which is expected to rise to 80 percent over the US Thanksgiving period, and is already sold out for Jamaica’s Heroes Weekend and Christmas. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, was excited as he moved among staff members and was greeted with gleeful smiles as he toured the property to see firsthand its multi-million-dollar recovery from the impact of hurricane Melissa. “When I walked in, I saw that 960 workers were back on the job, and that by Thanksgiving, I'm told, the other 320 will be back, and we will have a full complement of 1,200 workers employed. That means families are now going to be more secure. It's coming back at the right time with back to school,” Minister Bartlett said.