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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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Princess Resorts to Develop Jamaica’s First Casino

GREEN ISLAND, Jamaica; Monday, December 16, 2024: The US$400 million Princess Resorts with 1,005-rooms and several overwater suites, will add another dimension to Jamaica’s tourism industry next year with the development of the country’s first casino since licensing legislation was approved in June 2010, following the enactment of the Casino Gaming Act in March that year.

Workers are the Backbone of our Tourism Industry - Bartlett

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Monday, December 16, 2024: As Jamaica prepares for another record-breaking year in tourist arrivals, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has heaped praises on workers and partners in the industry for their continued sterling contribution.

Co-founders of TechBeach, Jamaican Kirk Hamilton (centre) and Trinidadian Kyle Maloney (right), greet Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett on his arrival for the official opening of the 7th TechBeach Retreat, at Secret Resorts on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

Bartlett Urges Innovators to Use Technology to Transform Tourism

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Monday, December 9, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has reinforced his advocacy for the transformation of the tourism sector through technology while observing that: “We are on the cusp of a new era – one where technology and tourism intertwine to create experiences that are more enriching, accessible, and sustainable than ever before.”

2024/25 Cruise Tourism Season Starts with a Bang

FALMOUTH, Jamaica; Friday, December 6, 2024: With Jamaica having welcomed 1.1 million cruise passengers since the start of the year, the 2024/2025 cruise tourism season got off to a strong start with ten vessels calling on the three main resort ports, with some 34,519 passengers and a combined crew of 13,137 between December 2 and 5, 2024.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left) responds to questions following his keynote address at the ground-breaking Pinnacle conference on branded real estate development, on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. Beside him is Yangsen Li, Chief Executive Officer of LCH Developments, developers of the US$450 million Pinnacle luxury lifestyle property.

Jamaica Pivots to Expand Luxury Tourism Offering

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Thursday, December 5, 2024: The Ministry of Tourism is moving to position the hospitality sector to attract more luxurious developments similar to the US$450-million Montego Bay Pinnacle luxury lifestyle development currently under construction on the city’s western coastline.

Hon. Edmund Bartlett (centre), Minister of Tourism, and Donovan White (right) Director of Tourism paused for a photo-op with Gonzalo Ramirez (left), Airport Director for North America and Caribbean at LATAM Airlines, and the LATAM Airlines crew during Sunday’s ceremony at Sangster International Airport.

LATAM Airlines Resumes Direct Service Between Peru and Jamaica

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA – December 04, 2024 – LATAM Airlines has successfully resumed flights between Lima, Peru and Montego Bay, Jamaica, marking a significant milestone in Caribbean-Latin American air connectivity. The first flight, which arrived at full capacity at Sangster International Airport on Sunday, December 01, 2024, represents a major step in Jamaica's strategic expansion into the Latin American market.

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