Government of Jamaica

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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 Bartlett to Receive Honorary Doctorate from UCC

Kingston, Jamaica; Thursday, July 25, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is set to be conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Hospitality & Tourism Management (Honoris Causa) by the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) at its commencement ceremony on Sunday, July 28, 2024. This prestigious distinction recognizes Minister Bartlett’s exceptional contribution to the tourism industry, both locally and globally.
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Bartlett Discloses Threefold Strategy to Bolster Jamaica’s Tourism Growth

Kingston, Jamaica; Thursday, July 18, 2024: In his closing presentation of the 2024/2025 Sectoral Debate in the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday (July 16), Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, unveiled a comprehensive threefold strategy designed to bolster tourism growth amidst global economic uncertainties, airline capacity issues, and other challenges.
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Minister Bartlett Reports on Tourism Supply Logistics Centre Progress

Kingston, Jamaica; Thursday, July 18, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, detailed the significant progress being made in establishing Jamaica as a key supply logistics center for the Caribbean cruise industry during his closing presentation of the 2024/2025 Sectoral Debate in Parliament. This development, he believes, will revolutionize Jamaica’s tourism sector and create unprecedented opportunities for local businesses.
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Jamaica Welcomes 105,000 Stopover Visitors Since Beryl

Kingston, Jamaica; Wednesday, July 17, 2024: Despite the recent challenges posed by Hurricane Beryl, Jamaica’s tourism sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience, welcoming over 105,000 stopover visitors since reopening its ports. This impressive statistic, announced by the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, during his closing presentation of the 2024/2025 Sectoral Debate in Parliament, underscores the industry’s strength and its significant contribution to the Jamaican economy.
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Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (centre front), is joined by Permanent Secretary Jennifer Griffith (left of him) as he receives a progress update on the construction of Princess Jamaica Grand from owner Robert Cabrera Plana (right front) during a site tour on Friday, July 12, 2024. Other members of the touring party are visible in the background.

Bartlett Looks Forward To Princess Resorts’ September Opening

GREEN ISLAND, Hanover, Jamaica – Monday, July 15, 2024 – Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett eagerly anticipates the September opening of the Princess Grand and Princess Senses The Mangrove, the first phase of a planned 2,036-room hotel development in Green Island, Hanover. Upon completion of the second phase, this project will become one of Jamaica’s largest resorts, significantly boosting the island's tourism offerings.
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First Gastronomy Academy Will be Ready for Winter Tourist Season

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Monday, July 8, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has revealed that Jamaica’s first Gastronomy Academy will be in operation at the Montego Bay Convention Centre by the end of 2024. In making the announcement yesterday (July 7), Minister Bartlett said the academy will be opened “for the winter tourist season this year.”
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