News Releases

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (right) receives a welcome hug, one of the many he received on his tour of Royalton Negril on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Management and staff were out in their numbers to greet the Minister at the restart of operations following a multi-million-dollar restoration in the wake of last year’s hurricane.

Featured News Releases

Workers Joyful as Royalton Negril Reopens Amid Wider Tourism Recovery

NEGRIL, Jamaica; Thursday, August 27, 2026: Pulsating music, dance and colourful dresses marked the reopening of the Royalton Negril hotel and the return of nearly 1,000 workers to their jobs. The hotel reopened at 50 percent occupancy, which is expected to rise to 80 percent over the US Thanksgiving period, and is already sold out for Jamaica’s Heroes Weekend and Christmas. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, was excited as he moved among staff members and was greeted with gleeful smiles as he toured the property to see firsthand its multi-million-dollar recovery from the impact of hurricane Melissa. “When I walked in, I saw that 960 workers were back on the job, and that by Thanksgiving, I'm told, the other 320 will be back, and we will have a full complement of 1,200 workers employed. That means families are now going to be more secure. It's coming back at the right time with back to school,” Minister Bartlett said.

All News Releases

Resilience Building Needed Now… more than ever, says Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 22, 2018: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett says resilience building within the Caribbean region is needed now more than ever, given the increase in disruptions such as hurricanes and earthquakes. The Minister’s comment comes on the heels of the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Venezuela yesterday.

Minister of Tourism Promoting ‘Staycation’ at Jamaican Facilities

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 20, 2018: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has embarked on a local vacation, more popularly known as a staycation, which will take him across the island to review the various tourism products. The staycation is also being used to encourage more Jamaicans to choose to vacation at home.

$33M Upgrade for Old Fort Craft Market

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 17, 2018: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett says, the Old Fort Craft Market in Montego Bay will receive upgrades valued at $33 million. The work will be carried out by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and will include restoration to the heritage park at a cost of $25million and improvement of bathroom facilities at a cost of $8million.

Bartlett Challenges Caribbean Media to Instigate Positive Debate on Climate Change

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 15, 2018: Noting that most island economies in the Caribbean are based on highly climate-sensitive industries and sectors like tourism and agriculture, Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett says the region’s media have an important role to play as a contributor to the local, regional and global discussion on climate change.

Bartlett Preparing Craft Traders For Changing Market

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Monday, August 13, 2018: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has called on craft traders and producers in the resort city of Montego Bay to put themselves in order and prepare for increased sales opportunity.

Bartlett Reviewing Policy Governing Use of Black River

BLACK RIVER, St. Elizabeth; Thursday, August 9, 2018: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett is currently reviewing the policy governing the use of the Black River for safari tours. The purpose of the review is to determine whether the current moratorium allows operations at an optimal level on the river with respect to carrying capacity.

Contact Information

64 Knutsford Boulevard,
Kingston 5, Jamaica

(876) 920-4926-30

info@mot.gov.jm