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Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (2nd right) engages in a vibrant discussion with (from left) Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, Dr. Kerry-Ann McKenzie, Consultant Pediatrician at the Falmouth Public General Hospital and Karen Zacca, Operations Director at the Sandals Foundation, following Tuesday’s (August 11) launch of Island Challenge Jamaica held at the AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston.

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Bartlett Calls for Redefinition of Tourism CSR in Jamaica

Tourism Minister urges businesses to embed community development in their operations as Sandals Foundation brings Island Challenge home KINGSTON, Jamaica; Friday, August 14, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is calling for a fundamental redefinition of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Jamaica’s tourism industry, urging businesses to move beyond charitable giving and become more deeply embedded in the development and resilience of the communities in which they operate. Minister Bartlett made the call on Tuesday (August 11) while delivering the main address at the launch of the Sandals Foundation Island Challenge Jamaica 2026, under the theme “Tourism Doing Good,” at the AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston. The four-day endurance event, scheduled for October 2–5, will take approximately 30 UK athletes, along with local and international partners, on a route spanning Trelawny, St. Ann, St. Mary and St. Andrew. Participants will run, kayak, trek and hike across Jamaica’s landscapes while seeking to raise £100,000 to strengthen neonatal and paediatric healthcare services, including at the Falmouth Public General Hospital.

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Bartlett to Promote Tourism Resilience at Sustainable Blue Economy Summit in Canada

Kingston, Jamaica; Monday, March 18, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is set to depart the island today (March 18) to participate in Eco-Canada's Sustainable Blue Economy Summit 2024 in Halifax, Canada, on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Minister Bartlett will be a featured speaker and thought leader at the summit, highlighting the critical importance of the blue economy to building tourism resilience and sustainability.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (r) in discussion with Senior TUI Group executives (l-r) Mr. Thomas Ellerbeck, Head of Group Corporate and External Affairs, TUI Group and David Schelp, CEO TUI Markets and Airlines at their office in Berlin, Germany yesterday (March 7).

Bartlett Driving St. Thomas Development with TUI Group

BERLIN; Germany; Friday March 8, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett is driving future tourism investment for St. Thomas which is gearing up to become Jamaica’s newest tourist destination. In a meeting with German leisure, travel and tourism company, TUI Group, it was confirmed that the company is exploring expanding its footprints in Jamaica and is showing signs of interest to invest in St. Thomas.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett holds the Global Tourism Icon award presented to him yesterday at ITB Berlin by PATWA.

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Named Global Icon at ITB Berlin

BERLIN; Germany; Thursday March 7, 2024: The Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) has bestowed the prestigious title of Global Tourism Icon upon Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the tourism industry.

: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett receives the Global Destination of the Year award from Yatan Ahluwalia, Secretary General, PATWA. Sharing in the moment are (l-r) Delano Seiveright, Senior Strategist and Advisor, Ministry of Tourism and Chevannes Barragan De Luz, Business Development Manager, Continental Europe.

Jamaica Awarded Global Destination of the Year

BERLIN; Germany; Thursday March 7, 2024: Jamaica has been named Global Destination of the Year at the renowned travel trade show, ITB in Berlin. The award was presented yesterday by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA). The PATWA is a nonprofit international media organization of travel writers founded in 1999 and the awards seek to recognize organizations, destinations/brands and individuals achieving the highest standards in their field.

Minister Bartlett to Attend ITB Travel Convention in Berlin

Kingston, Jamaica; Tuesday, March 5, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has departed the island to participate in the 2024 staging of ITB Berlin, the world's largest travel tradeshow. With over 50 years of global recognition, ITB Berlin stands as a pivotal platform for the international tourism industry, fostering networking and facilitating knowledge exchange.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett gesticulates as he renews his call for a special tip to fund tourism resilience initiatives, as he addressed the 2nd Global Tourism Resilience Day Conference, which was held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre from February 16-17, 2024.

Bartlett Renews Call for Special Tip to Finance Global Tourism Resilience Fund

Montego Bay, Jamaica; Wednesday, February 21, 2024: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has renewed his call for visitors across the world to be asked to support the financing of tourism resilience initiatives via a special tip. While urging the international community to urgently unite to establish a Global Tourism Resilience Fund, Minister Bartlett outlined that “the money collected in each destination from this tip would contribute to the fund and aid in boosting tourism resilience.”

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