News Releases

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.

Featured News Releases

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.

All News Releases

UN Tourism Secretary-General, His Excellency Zurab Zurab Pololikashvili addresses the 2nd Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference, emphasising the need for increased focus to be placed on boosting job creation and sustainable investments aimed at building tourism resilience, especially for small countries.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Outlines Plans to Boost Job Creation in the Caribbean

Montego Bay, Jamaica; Tuesday, February 20, 2024: UN Tourism Secretary-General H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili has outlined plans to boost job creation and investment in the Caribbean’s tourism industry. Mr. Pololikashvili was a keynote speaker during the just concluded 2nd Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

UN Tourism Partners with Newly Rebranded Global Tourism Resilience Centre

Montego Bay, Jamaica; Monday, February 19, 2024: Jamaica’s position as a leader in tourism resilience building has been further bolstered following the announcement that UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO) has forged a major partnership with the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), which is being rebranded as the Global Tourism Resilience Centre (GTRC). It was also outlined that UN Tourism will continue to partner with Destination Jamaica in hosting the Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference moving forward.

Minister Bartlett to Launch New Book on Global Tourism Resilience Day 2024

Montego Bay, Jamaica; Thursday, February 15, 2024: As preparations intensify ahead of the start of the 2nd Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference, which will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre from February 16-17, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced the launch of a new book on Day 2 of the event entitled, "Decoding the Future of Tourism Resilience.” The conference, which is being hosted in collaboration with UN Tourism (formerly the United Nations World Tourism Organization, UNWTO) and the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), also aligns with the first anniversary of the United Nations’ official declaration of February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day annually.

Second Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference Very Timely

Kingston, Jamaica; Tuesday, February 13, 2024: With only days remaining to the staging of the highly anticipated 2nd Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett believes the event is very timely. The conference will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on February 16 and 17, under the theme, “Navigating the Future of Tourism Resilience.” This significant event coincides with the first anniversary of the United Nations' declaration of February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day annually, a milestone achieved through Jamaica's successful lobbying efforts led by Minister Bartlett.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (2nd L) with Mrs. Encarna Pinero (C), Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Jaime Sitjar (2nd L), both of the Pinero Group at the Group’s stand at FITUR in Madrid, Spain. Joining in the moment are Delano Seiveright (L), Senior Advisor and Strategist and John Lynch, Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board (R)

Bartlett Meets With Pinero Group On St. Ann Mega Tourism Project

SPAIN; Madrid; Wednesday January 24, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett met with the owners of the Pinero Group, which owns the prominent Spanish Hotel chain, Bahia Principe, in Madrid, Spain to discuss the status of their multifaceted resort development in St. Ann. The Group owns the Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica, Jamaica’s largest hotel, with 1,350 rooms.

Minister Bartlett Travels to Spain for FITUR Tourism Trade Fair

Kingston, Jamaica; Monday, January 22, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett today (January 22) departed the island for Madrid, Spain, to attend the eagerly awaited annual international travel and tourism tradeshow, FITUR. Slated for January 24-28, 2024, FITUR stands as Latin America's leading travel trade fair, attracting tourism professionals from across the globe.

Contact Information

64 Knutsford Boulevard,
Kingston 5, Jamaica

(876) 920-4926-30

info@mot.gov.jm