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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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Trench Town to Play Major Role in Tourism Development Plan for Kingston

KINGSTON, Jamaica; February 26, 2017: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that he will be providing well needed assistance to stakeholders in Trench Town as they seek to make improvements to the area to position it as the premier community-tourism destination in Kingston.

Kingston Set to Welcome More Cruise Ships

KINGSTON, Jamaica; February 14, 2017: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced that Kingston is set to welcome more cruise ships, with the next vessel set to dock in the first quarter of 2017. While addressing the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) today (February 14, 2017), he shared that the Ministry of Tourism has placed great emphasis on expanding cruise tourism in the island, with special focus being placed on the restoration of the ports of Kingston and its environs.

Minister Bartlett Lauds Jimmy Cliff on Receiving IRIEF FM Lifetime Achievement Award

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; February 14, 2017: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has lauded legendary musician and actor, Jimmy Cliff (Mr. James Ezekiel Chambers, OM) for his sterling contribution to Jamaican film and music, describing him as “both a trailblazer and influencer; an enduring voice who has helped to make little Jamaica a cultural heavy weight on the world stage.”

Cuba, Jamaica Cruise Itinerary Interest Surges

KINGSTON, Jamaica; February 13, 2017: Years prior to the Cuban Revolution in 1959 that saw the communist Fidel Castro regime come to power, Cruise ships from Miami regularly stopped in Cuba and Jamaica as part of their northern Caribbean itinerary.

Minister Bartlett Signs Agreement with Excellence Group to Build Two Hotels in Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 19, 2017: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett today (January 19, 2017) signed an agreement with representatives of the Excellence Group of Luxury Hotels and Resorts to build two hotels in Oyster Bay, Trelawny, which will add over 700 rooms to the island’s room-stock. The Excellence Group, which is renowned for its award-winning luxurious properties, plans to begin construction on their first property in Jamaica in February 2017.

Minister Bartlett Signs Agreement for Jamaica to host UNWTO Conference in November

KINGSTON, Jamaica; January 17, 2017: Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett yesterday (January 16, 2017) signed an agreement at the Palacio Neptuno in Spain, to host a major global conference to commemorate the 2017 United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development.

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