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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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Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, (R) greets staff at the Norman Manley International Airport for the annual staff breakfast appreciation.

Tourism Minister Celebrates Women’s Contributions on IWD

KINGSTON; Jamaica; Saturday March 8, 2025: Today, on International Women's Day, Minister of Tourism, the Hon Edmund Bartlett is saluting the contributions of women in the tourism industry.

Executive Director of Jamaica Vacations (JAMVAC), Joy Roberts speaks during a panel discussion exploring the Internet of Things (IoT), at the recent 3rd Global Tourism Resilience Conference and Expo at the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort. She explained how IoT enhances passenger services at the cruise shipping ports.

The Internet of Things Boosts Efficiency at Airports and Cruise Ports

GREEN ISLAND, Jamaica; Thursday, March 6, 2025: As passenger traffic through Jamaica’s seaports and airports continues to rise, demanding greater attention to speed and efficiency, tourism stakeholders have revealed that Internet technology is playing an increasing role in boosting efficiency at these crucial locations.

Minister Bartlett Mourns Passing of Tourism Stalwart Lionel Reid

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Friday, February 28, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has expressed deep sorrow at the passing of Mr. Lionel Reid, a distinguished leader and long-serving executive within Jamaica’s tourism sector. Mr. Reid, who passed away this morning, dedicated decades of his life to the development of Jamaica’s tourism industry, serving in key leadership roles at Jamaica Vacations Limited (JAMVAC), a public body of the Ministry of Tourism.

Director of Tourism, Donovan White uses his cell phone to converse with the Jamaica Tourist Board’s artificial intelligence (AI) - powered Chatbot ‘Cynthia’ to demonstrate one of the many ways in which AI can be used in tourism, during his presentation on “Harnessing AI for Tourism Resilience” at the 3rd Global Tourism Resilience Conference, held recently at the Princess Grand Jamaica resort, Hanover. While welcoming the benefits of AI, Mr. White maintained that the human element of travel is irreplaceable.

AI is Useful but Human Element Irreplaceable in Tourism

GREEN ISLAND, Jamaica; Thursday, February 27, 2025: While touting artificial intelligence (AI) as a useful tool for tourism, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, Donovan White is advising global industry stakeholders that “the human element of travel is irreplaceable.”

Olympic Gold Medallist Hurdler, Hansle Parchment (1st R) reunites with Teiyana Kawashima Stojkovic (R) at the Bob Marley Museum. Sharing in the moment are (L-R) Yuki Kawashima Stojkovic, Mother and Andrija Kawashima Stojkovic, Brother.

Jamaica Hosts Volunteer from Tokyo Olympics

KINGSTON; Jamaica; Wednesday, February 26, 2025: – Jamaica welcomed and honour the volunteer whose act of kindness helped hurdler Hansle Parchment make it to his event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where he went on to win gold in the 110m hurdles. Ms. Teiyana Kawashima Stojkovic was hosted in Jamaica with her immediate family for a week as a gesture of gratitude for her selfless support.

UWI Lecturer Stresses Importance of Cyber Security for Tourism

GREEN ISLAND, Jamaica; Tuesday, February 25, 2025: With tourism increasingly relying on digital technologies, Senior Lecturer at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Dr. Yonique Campbell has urged global tourism players to implement key security measures to protect the sector from cybercrime.

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