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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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Garth Sinclair, aka “Necktie Gentleman” shows off his skill with the coconut at the Sandals Jamaica Love sales event which showcased Sandals and Beaches resorts on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, as the authentic Caribbean resorts of choice. Sinclair has been selling coconuts for the past 43 years.

Major Push Underway to Boost Jamaica’s Image as a Tourist Destination

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Thursday, October 17, 2024: Underscoring the importance of tourism to Jamaica’s economic life, Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon Andrew Holness has announced that strategic steps are being taken to enhance the country’s reputation and brand as a tourist destination.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (centre) is flanked by the President of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Robin Russell (right), and JHTA Executive Director, Camille Needham (left) as he responds to questions from JHTA members following his presentation at their 63rd Annual General Meeting held yesterday (October 12) at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.

Tourism Sector Gearing Up for More Growth

Kingston, Jamaica; Sunday, October 13, 2024: Jamaica’s tourism sector is set for continued expansion as global travel surges toward 1.5 billion travellers by the end of this year, with projections of nearly 3 billion tourists worldwide in the next two decades. Addressing the 63rd Annual General Meeting of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) yesterday (October 12), Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett outlined several strategies aimed at ensuring that Jamaica remains a top destination and continues to experience growth in the competitive global tourism market.

Pork was one of the favourite meats at the Savour Jamaica culinary event which was staged at the Artisan Village in Falmouth, Trelawny, on Thursday, September 26, 2024 as one of the featured events for Tourism Awareness Week (TAW). Here Chef ‘FADA Chris’ carves up a pig roasted on a spit for customers. TAW 2024 ran from September 22-28, under the theme “Tourism and Peace: Out of Many, One Love.”

Stakeholders Call for Permanent Culinary Event in Falmouth

Kingston, Jamaica; Wednesday, October 2, 2024: Key stakeholders, including political leaders in the parish of Trelawny, are calling for the introduction of a consistent gastronomy event, similar to the Savour Jamaica showcase held recently at the cruise shipping port of Falmouth, to help attract more visitors and boost Jamaica’s culinary offerings.

An interior shot of S Hotel Montego Bay.

S Hotel Montego Bay & S Hotel Kingston Named in Best Hotels Rankings

Kingston, Jamaica; Tuesday, October 1, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has welcomed news that S Hotel Montego Bay (previously known as S Hotel Jamaica) has been ranked the number one Best Hotel in the Caribbean and Central America by the world's leading travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards. S Hotel Kingston (previously known as Spanish Court Hotel) ranked number 9 on the exclusive list.

Tourism Ministry Unveils ‘Tourism and Peace: Out of Many, One Love’ Mural

Kingston, Jamaica; Tuesday, October 1, 2024: A stunning mural, the latest addition to the Downtown Kingston Art District, was unveiled by the Ministry of Tourism, on World Tourism Day, September 27, as part of activities to mark Tourism Awareness Week (TAW) 2024. Executed through a collaborative effort between the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and Kingston Creative, the mural, titled “Tourism and Peace: Out of Many, One Love,” is a vibrant representation of Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage and the unifying role of tourism. The project was brought to life by lead muralist Sheldon Blake, with assistance from Rohan Cargill, and stands as a striking symbol of the connection between tourism, peace, and cultural exchange.

Youth Leaders See Many Opportunities in Tourism

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Friday, September 27, 2024: A panel of young leaders has expressed strong agreement that many opportunities currently exist in Jamaica’s tourism industry but that the need exists for additional training to prepare more young people for those roles.

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