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Seated, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (C) with Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, Provost and Vice-President, Academic, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) (L) and Cynthia Holmes, Dean, Ted Rogers School of Management, TMU. Sharing in the moment are standing L-R, Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Donnette Chin-Loy, Chancellor TMU and Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada. The occasion was the tour of the University to discuss tourism opportunities and partnership.

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Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation to Partner with Toronto Metropolitan University to Elevate Tourism Workforce Development

TORONTO, Canada; Thursday October 8, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, has announced that initial discussions have started to have the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) collaborate to develop comprehensive training and certification programs for tourism professionals across Jamaica. This groundbreaking partnership will aim to strengthen the capabilities of Jamaica's tourism workforce by providing world-class professional development opportunities that align with international industry standards. The collaboration will leverage TMU's extensive expertise in hospitality and tourism education alongside JCTI's deep understanding of the Caribbean tourism landscape. “This partnership represents a significant milestone in our commitment to building a highly skilled, globally competitive tourism workforce,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett. “By working with Toronto Metropolitan University, we're bringing internationally recognized training standards to Jamaica while ensuring our programs reflect the unique strengths of Caribbean hospitality.”

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Bartlett Challenges Farmers to Meet Tourism’s Demand for Agricultural Produce

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 5, 2019: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has challenged the local agricultural sector to make a greater effort to satisfy the demands of Jamaica’s tourism sector for fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry.

United Nations on board with Global Resilience Centre to help tackle Sargassum threat, says Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 2, 2019: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, says the United Nations (UN) is fully on board to improve coordinated action and share expertise and resources with the Global Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCM, as it relates to the threat of sargassum to the region.

Bartlett meets with Embassy Officials regarding Security Audit Report

KINGSTON, Jamaica; July 30, 2019: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett today met with key Embassy officials to discuss the recent security audit report. The Embassy officials, which included representatives from the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, were updated by Minister Bartlett on the sector’s strategic plans to create a new architecture for security and next steps.

Bartlett appoints New Director of Visitor Safety and Experience to further Review Security Audit Report

KINGSTON, Jamaica; July 29, 2019: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has appointed a new director of Visitor Safety and Experience, Major Dave Walker, to further review the initial report from the recent island wide security audit of the tourism sector. Following this review, Major Walker will submit a final report with recommendations on the way forward by the start of the winter tourist season in December.

Sargassum Clean-up Costs Caribbean US$120 Million – Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; July 26, 2019: The unprecedented levels of sargassum seaweed that washed up on Caribbean beaches in 2018 resulted in estimated clean-up costs of US$120 million, according to Minister of Tourism and Co-Chair of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCM), Hon. Edmund Bartlett.

J$1 Billion in Revenue generated from Reggae Sumfest, says Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; July 22, 2019: Tourism Minister Hon Edmund Bartlett has indicated that J$ 1Billion was generated at the just concluded Reggae Sumfest music festival held at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay.

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