Government of Jamaica

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News Releases

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (second right) leads a unifying group handshake with (from left) Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith, outgoing Chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Hon. Godfrey Dyer and incoming TEF Chairman, Ryan Parkes at the Ministry’s One-day Strategic Visioning Retreat held last Wednesday at the AC Marriott Hotel.

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Minister Bartlett Salutes Godfrey Dyer’s 14 Years of Exemplary Service KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, April 30, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has named Ryan Parkes, Group Chief Executive Officer of Island Car Rentals and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Tourism Workers Pension Scheme (TWPS), as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), effective May 1, 2026. The appointment, recently approved by Cabinet, was announced at the Ministry’s One-day Strategic Visioning Retreat held on April 22 at the AC Marriott Hotel. In making the announcement, Minister Bartlett also paid tribute to the outgoing TEF Chairman, Hon. Godfrey Dyer, whose 14-year tenure at the helm of the TEF represents the longest record of chairmanship in the fund’s history and one of the longest across government.

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St Thomas to be Positioned as a Premier Tourist Destination

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 17, 2018: Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett says plans are now underway by his Ministry to develop the parish of St Thomas as Jamaica’s newest tourism destination.

Lyssons Beach Receives $49 Million Upgrade

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 16, 2018: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett yesterday participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the renovated Lyssons Beach in St Thomas.

Bartlett Launches New JTB Website

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 15, 2018: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, yesterday (November 14) officially launched the Jamaica Tourist Board’s (JTB) new and fully integrated website which will transform its marketing strategies.

$35Million for Spruce Up Garbage Disposal Bin Project

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 14, 2018: As part of efforts to reduce littering in municipalities island wide, The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has spent $35million to brand and install 1000 Spruce Up garbage disposal bins. The initiative forms part of the Ministry of Tourism’s ‘Spruce Up’ campaign which seeks to provide a clean and aesthetically appealing environment to increase attractiveness for visitors and businesses in Jamaica’s resort areas.

Bartlett Appointed to African Tourism Board

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 12, 2018: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has been appointed to the board of sitting ministers and appointed public officials, of the newly formed African Tourism Board association.

Minister Bartlett Mourns Passing of Former Trident Owner Earl Levy

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 08, 2018: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has expressed deep sadness at the passing of celebrated architect and hotelier, Earl Levy.