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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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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.

Bartlett Welcomes Avelo Airlines’ New Flights to Montego Bay

Kingston, Jamaica; Thursday, July 25, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has welcomed Avelo Airlines’ announcement that it will be introducing new direct flights between Hartford, Connecticut and Montego Bay, Jamaica, starting November 16, 2024. These non-stop flights will operate twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, providing an accessible and affordable travel option for passengers.

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