News Releases

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.

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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.”

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Jamaican Seafarers Are In the Highest Demand In the Cruise Business – says Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 22, 2018: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says there is currently a demand for 5000 Jamaican seafarers in the cruise industry.

Bartlett Announces Noted International Expert for Security Audit Team

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 22, 2018: Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett has announced that highly regarded international expert, Dr Peter Tarlow, will join the team carrying out the intensive security audit of the tourism sector.

Bartlett orders Review of Montego Bay Welcome Sign….J$5Million pumped by Private Sector into Project

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 21, 2018: As part of the Ministry of Tourism and its Agencies’ commitment to full transparency, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has ordered a full review of the costs associated with the budgeted amount for the ‘Welcome to Montego Bay’ sign and attraction. Minister Bartlett has instructed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism to conduct the review.

J$350Million for Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 20, 2018: Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett says his Ministry is committed to driving the capacity of Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMTEs) that provide goods and services within the tourism sector. This commitment was underscored at today’s handover of J$350Million to the EXIM Bank from the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) to facilitate a loan facility for these local suppliers.

New Montego Bay Welcome Sign to be Ready By December

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; November 19, 2018: Minister of Tourism Hon Edmund Bartlett, Ministry officials and Montego Bay city leaders laid blocks on Saturday (November 17) to symbolize the commencement of a project to create a new welcome sign at the round a bout in the vicinity of the Sangster International airport. The aim is to have the new sign completed in December. The previous sign was destroyed through a motor vehicle accident.

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.

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