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CEO of MBJ Airports Limited, Shane Munroe (2nd left) confidently reassured Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (3rd right) that the Sangster International Airport (SIA) is in full operation and ready for an anticipated busy winter tourist season when it opens on December 15, 2025. Sharing in the moment are (from left) Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Tourism, David Dobson; Jennifer Griffith, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Christopher Jarrett, JHTA President.

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Montego Bay on Target for Official December 15 Reopening - Bartlett

Tourism Sector Records Earnings of US$2.9 Billion Since January MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Wednesday, December 3, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett wrapped up a recent Tourism Recovery Tour of Montego Bay with news that despite the impact of Hurricane Melissa last month, the destination area is on target to officially reopen for business on December 15, 2025. The announcement comes as Minister Bartlett also revealed that since the start of 2025 the sector has recorded tourism earnings of US$2.9 billion. With the official reopening deadline fast approaching, Minister Bartlett said he expects that the year's total earnings should reach approximately US$3.5 billion. This outlook is strengthened by a recent UN Tourism report which indicates that global tourism arrivals had surpassed 1.1 billion at the end of September, 2025. The UN Tourism Barometer projects increased growth continuing at a rate of 3 to 5 percent.

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Jamaica Welcomes 2 Million Stopover Visitors Since January 2024

Kingston, Jamaica; Tuesday, September 17, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that based on preliminary figures Jamaica has welcomed just over 2 million stopover visitors and some 3 million total visitors, including cruise arrivals, between January 1 and September 14 this year. This achievement marks an increase over last year's figures for the same period.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (center) engages in a light conversation with Brazilian Tourism Minister, Hon. Celso Sabino (left) and Governor of the State of Maranhão, Carlos Brandão in São Luís, Brazil, following the recent signing of a sustainable tourism Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) and Brazil's Ministry of Tourism.

Jamaica and Brazil Partner Promote Tourism Resilience

Kingston, Jamaica; Thursday, August 22, 2024: The Jamaica based Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) and Brazil’s Ministry of Tourism have signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate cooperation in boosting tourism resilience. The areas of cooperation covered under the MOU include: Climate resilience in tourism; Entrepreneurial tourism resilience; Tourism security resilience; and Tourism pandemic resilience.

Jamaica Reports Strong Arrivals Increase in First Quarter of 2024

Kingston, Jamaica, August 15, 2024 – Jamaica has announced an 11% increase in arrivals in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023. This demand for one of the world’s leading island travel destinations further exemplifies its projection to welcome 5 million visitors by 2025.

Bartlett to Attend Paris Olympics Ahead of Brazil Marketing Blitz

Kingston, Jamaica; Wednesday, August 7, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, will depart the island for Paris, France today (August 7) to attend the Olympic Games. While in the City of Lights, Minister Bartlett will be instrumental in promoting Jamaica as a premier tourist destination through the Jamaica Tourist Board’s (JTB) Jamaica House initiative.

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left), engages in conversation with (from second left) Executive Director of the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Dr. Carey Wallace, and Tourism Innovation Incubator participants Wayne Thompson, Dr. Duane Chambers (winner of Cohort 1), and Dr. Joshua Daye. The occasion was the official Meet and Greet Event for Cohort 2 of the Tourism Innovation Incubator, held at the AC Marriott Hotel on July 30, 2024.

Jamaica Is Positioning Itself as a Centre Of Tourism Innovation

KINGSTON, JAMAICA; July 31, 2024 – Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett announced yesterday (July 30, 2024) that Jamaica is positioning itself as a global center of tourism innovation, highlighting the remarkable success of the Tourism Innovation Incubator programme. Speaking at the official Meet and Greet Event for Cohort 2 of the Tourism Innovation Incubator at the AC Marriott Hotel, Minister Bartlett underscored the programme's pivotal role in revolutionizing Jamaica's tourism industry.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (right) smiles as he receives his Honorary Doctorate in Hospitality and Tourism Management (Honoris Causa) from the newly installed President of the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC), Professor Colin Gyles, during the institution’s commencement ceremony yesterday (July 28).

Bartlett Urges UCC 2024 Graduating Class to Arise and Take Their Place

Kingston, Jamaica; Monday, July 29, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has challenged the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean’s (UCC) 2024 graduating class to arise and take their rightful place in shaping Jamaica’s future. Delivering the keynote address at the institution’s commencement ceremony yesterday (July 28) at the National Arena, where he was also conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Tourism and Hospitality Management, Minister Bartlett lauded the UCC’s role in developing the nation’s human capital.

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