News Releases

Bartlett – ‘Melissa tested our strength, but it has not reduced the world’s desire to experience Jamaica’ KINGSTON, Jamaica; Monday November 2, 2026; One year after Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica, the island’s tourism sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience, with visitor arrivals approaching three million and international demand continuing to support the sector’s recovery. The projected milestone underscores the enduring strength of Brand Jamaica and the determination of tourism workers and stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to restore the sector. Jamaica welcomed 2.34 million visitors between January and August 2026, generating US$2.5 billion in tourism earnings, according to figures released by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). The performance was achieved while the island continued to operate with reduced hotel room capacity as properties repaired, renovated and upgraded their facilities following the storm.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Jamaica’s tourism industry is making significant strides in its recovery from Hurricane Melissa, with 92 per cent of the island’s hotel rooms now back in operation, signaling a promising outlook for the upcoming winter tourist season. President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), O’Brian Heron, disclosed that the recovery has been driven by the tremendous sacrifices and determination of hotel operators and their employees, many of whom worked under difficult circumstances to restore operations following the hurricane. Speaking at a brunch at the S Hotel Montego Bay following the JHTA’s 65th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving on Sunday at Trumpet Call Ministries International, Mr. Heron paid special tribute to hotels that maintained operations throughout the crisis, as well as those that reopened within weeks or gradually restored their facilities over the ensuing months.

TORONTO; Canada: Tuesday, October 27, 2026: Jamaica has turned the devastation of Hurricane Melissa into an opportunity to build a stronger, safer and more competitive tourism industry, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, told 300 travel advisors and tourism stakeholders in Toronto, as the island prepares to welcome Canadian visitors for the winter season with approximately 400,000 airline seats from Canada. The significant airlift capacity underscores the strength of the Canadian market and the critical role of travel advisors in sustaining visitor demand, restoring destination confidence and supporting the thousands of Jamaicans whose livelihoods depend on tourism. Thanking the Canadian travel trade for its continued partnership, Minister Bartlett emphasised that Jamaica’s recovery is being driven by the resilience of its people and the commitment of international partners and stakeholders. “Melissa was able to bend us, but it could not break us. We are not bouncing back; we are bouncing forward,” he declared.

Five-city Promotional Drive Targets Travel Advisors, Media and Tourism Partners to Boost Post-Melissa Recovery KINGSTON, Jamaica; Friday, October 23, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, departed the island this morning for Toronto, Canada, to lead a targeted, multi-city marketing blitz aimed at securing bookings for Jamaica’s critical 2026/2027 winter tourist season. Accompanied by Director of Tourism, Donovan White, and other members of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) team, Minister Bartlett will engage travel trade partners, tourism stakeholders and media across Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Montreal, taking Jamaica’s destination message directly into key Canadian markets at a pivotal time in the country’s post-Hurricane Melissa recovery. With approximately 400,000 airline seats available from Canada for the upcoming winter season, the mission is focused on converting expanded airlift into actual bookings, visitor arrivals and tourism earnings. The programme combines destination presentations and product launches with media interviews, travel industry networking and relationship-building engagements designed to keep Jamaica competitive and top of mind among Canadian travellers.

Minister to Advance Cruise Tourism Discussions and Meet Key Marketing Partners in New York KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, October 15, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, departed the island yesterday, October 14, for strategic engagements in Miami and New York aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s market position ahead of the 2026/27 winter tourist season, deepening relationships with key tourism partners and advancing opportunities for greater economic returns from the cruise sector. The Minister’s itinerary includes discussions in Miami today, October 15, focused on strengthening Jamaica’s competitiveness as a leading Caribbean cruise destination, enhancing the visitor experience and expanding opportunities for local businesses to benefit from cruise tourism. “Our objective is not simply to attract more cruise passengers, but to ensure that every visitor creates greater opportunities for Jamaican businesses, attractions, transportation providers, artisans and communities. That is the essence of our Tourism 3.0 approach: moving beyond volume to value and ensuring that tourism growth delivers more meaningful returns for our people,” Minister Bartlett stated.

Destination and Industry Partners Secure Impressive Haul of 36 Regional Awards GREEN ISLAND, Jamaica; Monday, October 12, 2026: Jamaica has reinforced its position as the leading Caribbean tourist destination, with the destination and its industry partners securing an impressive haul of honours at the 33rd World Travel Awards for the Caribbean and the Americas last night (October 11), taking a total of 36 regional awards and 18 national prizes. The prestigious gala unfolded inside the grand ballroom of the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort. Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett hailed the awards as “a vindication of the level of recovery that we have and the extent to which our product continues to present itself to the world as highly regarded, highly respected and highly desired.” Jamaica was named the Caribbean’s Leading Destination for the 20th consecutive year with the Jamaica Tourist Board winning the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board award for the 18th year in a row.