Government of Jamaica

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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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Minister Bartlett Pushes For Partnership With Cuba

MONTEGO BAY, St. James, Jamaica, March 21, 2016: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett does not believe the changing tide in relations between the United States of America and Cuba threatens Jamaica’s tourism market. His comments come as US President Barack Obama makes his historic trip to Cuba.
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Hon. Edmund Bartlett Returns as Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism

Kingston, Jamaica: March 8, 2016 – Hon. Edmund Bartlett has once again been appointed Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, following the swearing in of Jamaica’s new Government at Kings House yesterday (March 7). Minister Bartlett previously served as Tourism Minister from 2007-2011 and replaces Wykeham McNeill, who held the portfolio from 2011-2016, under the Portia Simpson Miller-led government.
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Bartlett Proposes Tourism Credit Bank

MONTEGO BAY, St. James, Jamaica, March 17, 2016: The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and the EXIM Bank are to set the stage for the establishment of a tourism bank. Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has proposed the tourism bank as source of funding for service providers in the tourism industry to enable them to build capacity and reap more from the industry.
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Minister Bartlett Meets With US Ambassador to Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 09, 2016: In a bid to further strengthen relations between Jamaica and the United States in the area of tourism Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett met with US Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Luis Moreno, and members of his team today (March 9).
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Minister Bartlett Lays out Five Pillars for Tourism Growth

MONTEGO BAY, St. James, Jamaica, April 10, 2016: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has outlined to the new boards of directors of key agencies in the ministry, five pillars on which the Ministry and its agencies will seek to transform the island's vibrant tourism sector and achieve double digit growth.
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Public Private Partnerships to form significant part of tourism growth strategy – Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica, March 17, 2016: Minister of Tourism, Honourable Edmund Bartlett, yesterday noted that Public Private Partnerships (PPP) will form a key part of Jamaica’s tourism growth strategy. Given our government’s policy to make the private sector the engine of growth it is critical for the Tourism Ministry and its support agencies to pursue PPP arrangements that ultimately redound to the Jamaica’s benefit. It is an ultimate win win situation,said Bartlett.
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