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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PS in the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith (2nd right) engages in a lively discussion with Bishop Everton Lawrence of Faith Temple Assemblies of God (left), Junior Minister of Tourism and Montego Bay High School student, ThaeJadore Kerr (2nd left) and member of the Board of Directors for Jamaica Vacations (JAMVAC), Tricia-Ann Bicarie, following yesterday’s (September 27) Thanksgiving Church Service to mark World Tourism Day and kickstart Tourism Awareness Week 2026, which runs from Sept 27 – Oct 3.

AI and Other Digital Technology Being Used to Transform Tourism Sector - Bartlett

Thanksgiving Church Service Kickstarts Tourism Awareness Week 2026 MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Monday, September 28, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has stressed that artificial intelligence and other digital technology are being used to strategically transform Jamaica’s tourism sector. This as the Ministry of Tourism, its public bodies and industry stakeholders, joined global partners in marking the annual UN-Tourism backed World Tourism Day (WTD), with a thanksgiving church service yesterday (September 27). The service also officially kick-started Tourism Awareness Week (TAW) 2026, being observed from September 27 to October 3, under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” in keeping with the theme selected by UN Tourism for WTD. In a message read by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith, Minister Bartlett said the ministry was “actively leveraging AI and digital technology to modernise the sector through key initiatives such as real-time concierges, deploying multilingual digital concierges, and structured content to optimise visitor bookings, as well as predictive analytics.”

Bartlett Takes Jamaica’s Tourism Thought Leadership to World Economic Forum

Tourism Minister Travels to Geneva to Co-Chair Beyond Tourism Forum and Engage Global Leaders KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, September 24, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has departed the island for Geneva, Switzerland, where he will represent Jamaica at the World Economic Forum (WEF) and co-chair the Beyond Tourism Day Forum on September 25. The engagement places Jamaica at the centre of high-level international discussions on the future of tourism, including its role in economic resilience, investment, innovation and inclusive development. The WEF’s Beyond Tourism initiative advocates for a more integrated approach to tourism, recognising the interconnection between people and skills, finance, infrastructure, technology and innovation, and policy and governance. Minister Bartlett said Jamaica’s participation represents an important recognition of the country’s influence in shaping global tourism thinking, particularly in tourism and human capital development.

Jamaica to Showcase AI & Digital Transformation During Tourism Awareness Week 2026

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Tuesday, September 22, 2026: The Ministry of Tourism, its public bodies and tourism industry partners will place artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation and the future of Jamaica’s tourism economy at the centre of Tourism Awareness Week (TAW) 2026, being observed from September 27 to October 3 under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism.” The theme mirrors the UN Tourism’s global theme for World Tourism Day, which will be celebrated on September 27. The week will examine how technology is reshaping the way visitors discover, plan and experience destinations, while highlighting Jamaica’s efforts to responsibly harness AI and digital tools to strengthen destination management, visitor facilitation, workforce development, resilience building and decision-making. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, said the theme is particularly timely as technology continues to redefine global travel and tourism.