Government of Jamaica

News Releases

News Releases

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (2nd right) is joined by Director of the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation (JCTI), Carol Rose-Brown (right) in greeting a portion of the first cohort of executive sous chefs trained and graduated by any Caribbean country outside the chamber of Gordon House ahead of his 2026 Sectoral Debate Presentation on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

Featured News Releases

Tourism 3.0 to Drive Jamaica’s Next Economic Leap – Bartlett

Bartlett Declares New Era Built on Trust, Inclusion and Local Prosperity KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, June 25, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has unveiled a new growth agenda dubbed: Tourism 3.0, describing it as Jamaica’s new development architecture designed to transform tourism from a successful industry into a more inclusive and resilient national economic engine rooted in trust, confidence and shared prosperity. Making his 2026 Sectoral Debate Presentation in Gordon House earlier this week, under the theme “Trust and Confidence,” Minister Bartlett positioned Tourism 3.0 as the framework that will guide the next phase of Jamaica’s tourism evolution, one where growth is measured not only by visitor arrivals but by stronger communities, higher local retention, greater resilience and broader economic participation. “Tourism 3.0 is not a slogan. It is a new development architecture for Jamaica,” Bartlett declared.
Continue Reading

All News Releases

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (at podium), addresses a captive audience of executive members, hoteliers and allied members of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), at the organization’s 64th annual general meeting, at Dreams Rose Hall Resort in Montego Bay on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Minister Bartlett was the guest speaker at the opening ceremony.

Legislation to be Introduced to Fuel Greater Use of Local Supplies in Tourism

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Tuesday, July 1, 2025: The Ministry of Tourism’s drive to increase the use of local products and services in the hospitality sector, is to receive a major legislative boost. While addressing the 64th annual general meeting of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) at Dreams Rose Hall Resort over the weekend, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett told hoteliers and their allied members to expect legislation that will boost the use of local supplies across the industry.
Continue Reading

Bartlett Eyes Bold Path Towards Affordable Housing & Economic Inclusion

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Monday, June 30, 2025: The Ministry of Tourism has taken another bold step toward securing the future of Jamaica’s tourism workers with the official onboarding of NCB Insurance Agency and Fund Managers Limited (NCBIA) as one of the investment managers of the Tourism Workers Pension Scheme (TWPS). The move, announced during a contract signing ceremony held earlier today (June 30), signals a stronger push by the government to align economic security with broader social development goals, including affordable housing for tourism workers.
Continue Reading

Thousands Benefit from Tourism Innovation & Human Capital Development Initiatives

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, June 26, 2025: The Ministry of Tourism is recording unprecedented success in youth engagement, innovation, and skills training as it accelerates efforts to make tourism a dynamic engine of opportunity for all Jamaicans. This was underscored by Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett during his 2025/26 Sectoral Debate presentation in Parliament recently. Minister Bartlett, outlined a series of groundbreaking accomplishments under the theme “Thrive in 2025: Linking Tourism to Every Jamaican’s Success.”
Continue Reading

Success of ALEX Platform Proves That Tourism is Driving Agricultural Growth

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Monday, June 23, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and proudly Jamaican tourism industry—one that links every citizen to national prosperity. In his 2025/26 Sectoral Debate presentation delivered in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 17, Minister Bartlett highlighted the remarkable strides made by the Tourism Linkages Network (TLN), a division of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), especially in driving agricultural growth through the Agri-Linkages Exchange (ALEX) platform.
Continue Reading

Jamaica Expands Global Reach as Tourism Market Diversification Bears Fruit

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Friday, June 20, 2025: Despite global headwinds in 2024, Jamaica’s tourism industry remained stable and registered continued success in penetrating emerging markets, according to Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, who delivered his 2025/26 Sectoral Debate presentation in Parliament on Tuesday, June 17. The address, themed “Thrive in 2025: Linking Tourism to Every Jamaican’s Success,” emphasized an expansion in focus from visitor numbers and hotel developments to a broader vision of tourism as a driver of inclusive, resilient, and sustainable national economic growth.
Continue Reading

Cruise Tourism Surge to Boost Agriculture and Manufacturing Sectors

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, June 19, 2025: With cruise passengers accounting for a significant number of tourists to the island, the Ministry of Tourism is targeting an increase in this sub-sector of the travel industry.
Continue Reading