Government of Jamaica

News Releases

News Releases

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (right) receives a welcome hug, one of the many he received on his tour of Royalton Negril on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Management and staff were out in their numbers to greet the Minister at the restart of operations following a multi-million-dollar restoration in the wake of last year’s hurricane.

Featured News Releases

Workers Joyful as Royalton Negril Reopens Amid Wider Tourism Recovery

NEGRIL, Jamaica; Thursday, August 27, 2026: Pulsating music, dance and colourful dresses marked the reopening of the Royalton Negril hotel and the return of nearly 1,000 workers to their jobs. The hotel reopened at 50 percent occupancy, which is expected to rise to 80 percent over the US Thanksgiving period, and is already sold out for Jamaica’s Heroes Weekend and Christmas. Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, was excited as he moved among staff members and was greeted with gleeful smiles as he toured the property to see firsthand its multi-million-dollar recovery from the impact of hurricane Melissa. “When I walked in, I saw that 960 workers were back on the job, and that by Thanksgiving, I'm told, the other 320 will be back, and we will have a full complement of 1,200 workers employed. That means families are now going to be more secure. It's coming back at the right time with back to school,” Minister Bartlett said.
Continue Reading

All News Releases

Tourism Ministry Moves to Safeguard Negril's Pedestrians and Cyclists

N, Jamaica: February 16, 2015: With Negril growing as a bustling resort town, the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment is responding to the need for amenities to give members of the commuting public a greater sense of safety. To this end, pedestrians and cyclists are to benefit from a dual purpose pathway allowing them freedom of movement along Norman Manley Boulevard, without fear of the risk posed by increasing vehicular traffic along the town’s main thoroughfare.
Continue Reading

Minister McNeill to Attend Leading Travel Trade Show in Berlin

Kingston, Jamaica: February 27, 2015 - Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, will travel to Germany to participate in the world’s leading international travel trade show, ITB Berlin, being held from Wednesday, March 4 to Sunday, March 8, 2015. Minister McNeill will depart for Germany on Sunday, March 1.
Continue Reading

Minister McNeill and JTB Host High Level Meetings at World Travel Market 2014

LONDON, ENGLAND: November 3, 2014 - World Travel Market, one of the leading global events for the travel industry, got off to a favourable start for Jamaica with Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon Dr Wykeham McNeill, and Director of Tourism, Paul Pennicook, holding high profile meetings with key tourism partners.
Continue Reading

Minister McNeill to Attend World Travel Market 2014

KINGSTON, JAMAICA: October 31, 2014 – Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, is set to travel to London, England, to participate in World Travel Market 2014, which will be held from November 3-5, 2014. The Minister departs the island tomorrow, November 1.
Continue Reading

TPDCO Launches Tourism Essay Competition

Kingston Jamaica: October 26, 2014 - In a bid to stimulate discussion around issues affecting the tourism industry the Tourism Product Development Company Ltd (TPDCo) will stage its Tourism Essay Competition 2014. Among the objectives of the competition are to increase awareness of the importance of the industry to national development, encourage participation in the discussion of the issues affecting the industry; enhance the academic component of the school curriculum through collaboration with the Ministry of Education, improve the attitudes of the target group to our d
Continue Reading

TEF to Assist in Transformation of Lucea

LUCEA, Hanover, September 23, 2014: The Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment has rallied several government agencies to work with the Tourism Enhancement Fund to transform the town of Lucea into a town attractive to visitors. Following a walking tour of today, Minister McNeill said on passing through the town recently he was disappointed.
Continue Reading