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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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Ryan Parkes Named New TEF Chairman

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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Jamaica Tourist Board Signs MOU with Airbnb

KINGSTON, Jamaica, December 14, 2016: A memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a framework for cooperation to further boost and diversify Jamaica’s tourism product, was signed on December 13, 2016 by the Jamaica Tourist Board and home-sharing accommodation company Airbnb. Ahead of the signing, at the Jamaica Tourist Board’s New Kingston offices, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett expressed his excitement about the positive impact he expects the partnership to have on the travel experience of visitors and Jamaica’s tourism product overall.

Tourism Linkages Networks Expanded to Further Drive Economic Growth

KINGSTON, Jamaica; December 8, 2016: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett today (December 08, 2016) officially launched five new networks under its overarching Tourism Linkages Network initiative, to better position the sector to generate higher growth rates, in both visitor arrivals and earnings.

Minister Bartlett Kick-Starts Winter Tourist Season With Motivational Tour

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; December 11, 2016: The island’s tourism sector has signalled its readiness for what is expected to be the best winter tourist season in the country’s history. With hundreds of additional rooms being brought on stream, a significant increase in air seats out of key markets and an uptick in cruise arrivals, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett is beaming with anticipation.

Kingston Welcomes it’s Largest Cruise Ship to Date

KINGSTON, Jamaica; December 6, 2016: The port of Kingston today (December 06, 2016) welcomed its largest cruise ship ever, the MS Monarch which is operated by Pullmantur, the largest Spanish Cruise line. The visit was also historic because for the first time the island had mega ships in the main ports in Kingston, Falmouth, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios at the same time.

International Expert to Assist in Developing Tourism Linkages Networks

KINGSTON, Jamaica; December 4, 2016: The Ministry of Tourism is set to receive strategic assistance from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in the development of its Tourism Linkages Network. This as Director of the UNWTO Affiliate Members Programme, Ms. Yolanda Perdomo-Aparicio, will be arriving in the island on December 5 on the invitation of Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, for a five-day working visit.

Minister Bartlett Receives World Travel Award for Outstanding Services to Travel

Jamaica Cops Several Accolades in the 23rd Annual World Travel Awards (WTA) KINGSTON, Jamaica; December 4, 2016: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has been bestowed the distinctive award of World’s Leading Personality for Outstanding Services to Travel, at the 23rd Annual World Travel Awards (WTA) Grand Final held in the Maldives, Southern Asia on December 2, 2016. Destination Jamaica and local tourism partners also copped several prestigious awards at the event.

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