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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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Steady Progress Being Made on Tourism Ministry’s Multi-Dimensional Impact Assessment Study

Kingston, Jamaica; Friday, January 19, 2024: Following a productive courtesy call between the Ministry of Tourism and World Bank representatives on Tuesday (January 16), Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has reported steady strides regarding the Ministry’s Multi-Dimensional Impact Assessment Study, which will evaluate the economic impact as well as other implications of adding 20,000 new hotel rooms over the next 10 years.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (right) shares lens time and copies of his new book "Tourism, Resilience and Sustainability in the 21st Century" with the US Department of State's Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Ambassador Rena Bitter (centre) and US Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Nick Perry (left), following a courtesy call by members of a special US delegation yesterday (January 17).

Bartlett Discusses Accessible Tourism Opportunities With US State Department Reps

Kingston, Jamaica; Thursday, January 18, 2024: A special delegation from the United States, led by Ambassador Rena Bitter, the US State Department’s Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, alongside His Excellency Nick Perry, US Ambassador to Jamaica, and Sara Minkara, Special Advisor on International Disability Rights, held high-level discussions with Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett as they explored accessible tourism opportunities in the post-COVID-19 era.

Tourism Partners Commit to Building Capacity to Meet Increased Demand

Kingston, Jamaica; Friday, January 12, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett is leading a collaborative effort between public and private sector stakeholders to build capacity and systematically address the pain points in the tourism industry.

Bartlett Remembers Robert Hendricks As A Tourism Pioneer

Montego Bay, Jamaica, Friday, December 29, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has paid tribute to the late Robert Hendricks, describing him as one of the pillars of Jamaica’s post-independence tourism industry. Mr. Hendricks was the owner of Caribbean World Enterprises, a destination management company in St. James.

Biggest Winter Tourist Season in Jamaica’s History Expected

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Friday, December 15, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has welcomed today’s start of the 2023/24 winter tourist season with the expectation that for the first time in the industry’s history, there will be over one million stopover travellers for the season.

Bartlett Congratulates Sandals on Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards

Kingston, Jamaica; Friday, December 15, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has extended heartfelt congratulations to Sandals Resorts International for their outstanding wins at the 21st annual Travel Weekly Readers' Choice Awards. The black-tie gala, held on December 13 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, saw Sandals Resorts clinching two prestigious awards in the highly competitive Best in Hotel Chains category, securing top honours for Best in the Caribbean and Best All-Inclusive.

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