Government of Jamaica

News Releases

News Releases

Minister of Tourism, Found and Co-Chair off the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, Hon Edmund Bartlett pauses for a photo opportunity with (L-R), Minister of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism, South Sudan, Hon Denay Chagor, Hon Rebecca Miano, EGH, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, Kenya, Hon Augusto Laurindo Kalikemala, Secretary of State, Minister of Tourism, Angola and Hon Kwete Lobo Valere, Charge d’etude, Minister of Tourism, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Featured News Releases

Minister Bartlett Marks 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference in Nairobi with Renewed Call for Global Resilience Fund

NAIROBI; Kenya; February 19, 2026 – Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, on Monday, February 16, delivered a powerful call to action for the global tourism community to move ‘From Crisis to Transformation’ as he addressed the opening of the 4th Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference and Expo in Nairobi, Kenya. Hosted in partnership with the Government of Kenya and anchored by the Kenyatta University, the conference convened global tourism leaders, policymakers, academics, and private sector stakeholders to examine the urgent need for building resilience in an era of constant disruption. Speaking under the conference theme ‘From Crisis to Transformation’, Minister Bartlett outlined the overlapping global challenges reshaping tourism, including climate shocks, health-security threats, geopolitical instability, economic volatility, public safety concerns, cybercrime, and the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation.
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Small Hotels To Reap Benefits From New Incentives Legislation

Kingston, Jamaica, April 20, 2015: Under the new Fiscal Incentives Act, better known as the Omnibus Act, the number of tourism properties eligible for tax benefits for re-investment and refurbishing has increased from 100 to some 400 entities.
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SECTORAL PRESENTATION 2015-2016 BY HON. DR. WYKEHAM MCNEILL, MINISTER OF TOURISM AND ENTERTAINMENT, APRIL 14, 2015

Sectoral Presentation 2015-2016 Presented by Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, MP Minister of Tourism and Entertainment April 14, 2015 TOURISM WORKING FOR JAMAICA OPENING REMARKS Mr. Speaker,
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Nearly 1000 Chinese Visitors Arrive in Ocho Rios on Costa Atlantica Cruise Ship

Kingston, Jamaica: April 22, 2015 – There was a buzz of activity in Ocho Rios this morning as nearly one thousand Chinese vacationers descended on the resort town to experience Jamaica’s world class tourism offerings. The group represents the single largest number of Chinese visitors to vacation on the island ever.
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Braco Reopening and Expansion to Add Hundreds of Jobs and Rooms

BRACO, Trelawny : April 2 6 , 2015: As ongoing investment in the tourist industry continues to fuel the country’s economic development, hundreds of additional hotel rooms and jobs are being added to the sector. This trend is set to continue as the 225-room government owned Braco Village, is slated to reopen for the 2015/16 winter tourist season as the Meliá Braco Village.
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TEF Provides $80 million to Purchase and Repair Police Vehicles

Kingston, Jamaica: July 30, 2015: The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has received $80 million from the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, through the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), which will go towards purchasing and repairing JCF vehicles used in resort areas. A portion of the funds have been used to purchase 10 new vehicles at a cost of $45 million and the remaining $35 million will be used to conduct repairs to over 100 vehicles currently in use.
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Rafting in Portland to get Major Boost

Kingston Jamaica; January 1 4 , 201 6 : The rafting experience in Portland is set to be significantly enhanced, with some $32 million being allocated to renovate the facilities in Berridale and Rafter’s Rest. This was revealed by Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill at a meeting which followed the second staging of the Rafter’s Rest Race on Wednesday January 13, 2016.
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