News Releases

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.

Featured News Releases

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.”

All News Releases

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (centre) cuts a red ribbon signalling the grand opening of the Red Stripe Experience at Rick’s Café in Negril, on Saturday, January 18, 2025. He is flanked by (from left) Head of Commerce, Red Stripe, Sean Wallace; Managing Director of Red Stripe, Daaf van Tilburg; CEO of Rick’s Cafe, Steve Ellman and Member of Parliament, Westmoreland Western, Morland Wilson.

Bartlett Signals Ease to Negril Water Woes with US$221 Million Investment

NEGRIL, Westmoreland, Jamaica; Tuesday, January 21, 2025: The long-standing problem of water shortage that has plagued the Negril tourist resort and surrounding areas is to be addressed with a US$221 million government investment in creating a water supply system for the area.

Bartlett Travels to Madrid for FITUR Travel Tradeshow

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Monday, January 20, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, departed the island earlier today (January 20) for Madrid, Spain, to attend the 45th staging of the International Tourism Fair (FITUR), one of the world’s leading travel and tourism tradeshows. This prestigious event, which runs from January 22 to 26, 2025, provides a crucial platform for international tourism stakeholders to showcase their offerings, foster new business relationships, and explore future opportunities.

Hon. Edmund Bartlett (centre), Minister of Tourism, addresses the media during a press briefing for the 2025 Global Tourism Resilience Conference, set to be held in Hanover from February 16-19, 2025. Joining him are Jennifer Griffith (left), Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, and Professor Lloyd Waller (right), Executive Director of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC).

JAMAICA TO HOST 3RD ANNUAL GLOBAL TOURISM RESILIENCE CONFERENCE AND EXPO

KINGSTON, JAMAICA (January 15, 2025) – Tourism thought leaders from around the world will gather in Jamaica February 17 – 19, 2025 for the highly anticipated Third Annual Global Tourism Resilience Conference and Expo in Hanover.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left); owner of S Hotel, Chris Issa (centre) and Mayor of Montego Bay, Richard Vernon, join in applauding the all-Jamaican management and staff for their dedication and passion, resulting in the hotel being named the second-best all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean for 2025 by USA Today. The occasion was a cocktail reception to mark the occasion on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at the hotel.

Four Jamaican Hotels Among Caribbean’s 10 Best All-Inclusive Resorts

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Friday, January 10, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has lauded four Jamaican hotels that have been named among the 10 best all-inclusive Caribbean resorts by USA Today.

Tourism Sector on Track to Achieving Ambitious Growth Targets - Bartlett

Westmoreland, Jamaica; Friday, January 10, 2025: After welcoming some 4.27 million total visitors and securing earnings of approximately US$4.35 billion in 2024, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett is confident that Jamaica is on track to achieving its growth targets of attracting 5 million visitors and generating earnings of US$5 billion for the nation’s economy by 2025.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (R) engaging with children ahead of the toy distribution by Santa (L) at the Christmas Treat held by the Ministry of Tourism and its public bodies at Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay on Sunday, December 22, 2024.

Tourism Ministry and its Public Bodies bring Holiday Cheer to Children of Tourism Workers

KINGSTON; Jamaica; December 27, 2024: The Ministry of Tourism and its public bodies spread holiday joy and gratitude this season by hosting a series of special Christmas Treats for the children of tourism workers. The heartwarming celebrations, held over three days, took place across resort areas including Kingston, Portland, Treasure Beach, Negril, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, bringing smiles to over 600 children and their families.

Contact Information

64 Knutsford Boulevard,
Kingston 5, Jamaica

(876) 920-4926-30

info@mot.gov.jm