News Releases

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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$27.7 Million Refurbished Boston Beach Facility Handed Over

Portland, Jamaica: January 17, 2016 – The famous Boston Beach in Portland has been refurbished at a cost of $27.7 million and was officially reopened by Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, on Thursday, January 14, 2016. In his remarks Minister McNeill said that the rehabilitation of Boston Beach is a part of the National Beach Development Programme funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) and which is being implemented by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo).

Minister McNeill Lauds Excellence of Hyatt Staff

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; February 3, 2016: Jamaican workers have been credited in large part for the success of the local tourism sector, which saw some 3.69 million visitors in 2015. Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, described them as the “the bedrock of our world-class tourism industry” as he gave the keynote address at yesterday’s inaugural Eminence Awards for Hyatt Ziva and Zilara staff in Rose Hall, Montego Bay.

Sector Leaders Upbeat About Continued Growth in Tourism

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Sunday, September 21, 2015: Boosted by a 3.1 percent increase in arrivals between January and June 2015 over the corresponding period last year, both public and private sector leaders are upbeat over the continued growth in tourism.

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.

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.

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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