Government of Jamaica

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Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (L) beams as he accepts the Tourism Minister of the Year – Worldwide award from Yatan Ahluwalia, Secretary General, Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) at the recent 26th PATWA World Tourism Leaders’ Summit & PATWA International Travel Awards.

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Minister Bartlett Earns Top Global Tourism Honour at PATWA Awards

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, March 12, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has been named Tourism Minister of the Year – Worldwide by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contribution to global tourism development. The award was presented recently at the 26th PATWA World Tourism Leaders’ Summit & PATWA International Travel Awards, which celebrates excellence, innovation and leadership within the international travel and tourism industry. Minister Bartlett’s recognition reflects his longstanding advocacy for tourism resilience, sustainability and innovation, as well as his instrumental role in shaping policies that have strengthened Jamaica’s tourism sector and influenced global best practices. Minister Bartlett reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the industry and building stronger, future-ready tourism frameworks worldwide. “I have dedicated my career to strengthening tourism as a driver of economic growth, opportunity and global connectivity,” he said.
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Tourism Minister Congratulates Marlon James on Major Literary Award

Kingston, Jamaica: October 14, 2015 – Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, has extended congratulations to Jamaican author Marlon James on winning Britain’s most prestigious literary award, the Man Booker prize for his novel – “A Brief History of Seven Killings”.
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TEF Funded Centres of Excellence Earning Revenue

MONTEGO BAY, Monday, October 12, 2015: More than one thousand students from six north coast high schools are reaping the rewards of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) initiated Centres of Excellence programme. Students from participating schools are prepared for meaningful employment in the local tourism sector. The TEF’s $54 million commitment has established Centers of Excellence at Little London, Grange Hill, Irwin, William Knibb Memorial, Marcus Garvey Technical and Cross Keys high schools. Work at another five is slated for completion by December this year.
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Karisma Hotels & Resorts Announces US$900 Million Mega Hotel Project

STATEMENT BY MR. RUBEN BECERRA VICE PRESIDENT OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT KARISMA HOTELS AND RESORTS AT A PRESS BRIEFING JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD OCTOBER 13, 2015 Good afternoon. On behalf of Karisma Hotels & Resorts, let me start by saying how very proud we are to be in Jamaica.
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Devon House Undergoes Major Upgrades

Kingston Jamaica; November 18, 2015: Kingston’s iconic landmark Devon House has been undergoing major renovations, over the last few years, to develop and preserve the heritage site. Following a tour of the facilities on Tuesday November 17, 2015, the Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill announced that the ministry, through its agency, the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has funded projects at Devon House to the tune of $128 million from 2012-2014.
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TEF Provides $100 Million to Repair Mountainside Main Road

Kingston, Jamaica: November 20, 2015 – Residents in the rural community of Mountainside St. Elizabeth and surrounding areas are set to benefit from improved road conditions following the signing of a multi-million dollar contract to effect extensive repairs to the Mountainside main road. The contract was signed in the community recently and was met by applause from scores of residents who welcomed the project.
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September 2015 the Best Ever for Visitor Arrivals to Jamaica

Kingston, Jamaica: November 23, 2015 – Jamaica this year recorded the best ever September for stop over arrivals, up 7.0% (114,280 arrivals) when compared to September 2014. This record September was announced by Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, who was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Kingston’s weekly luncheon held recently at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.
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