Government of Jamaica

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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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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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Messi's Argentina Remains Jamaica's Number One Market in Latin America

Buenos Aires; ARGENTINA; Tuesday, August 2,2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, in relaying some of the strategic objectives for the Latin American (Latam) market, has singled out Argentina as a critical part of those objectives. Home to popular international football player Lionel Messi, with a population of 45 million, Argentina represents the largest market for Jamaica in the region.

Bartlett Targeting 250,000 Visitors from Latam over the Next 5 Years

Kingston, Jamaica; Wednesday, August 2, 2023: Buoyed by the full recovery of Jamaica's tourism sector, Hon Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism is targeting 250,000 visitors from Latin America (Latam) over the next 5 years. The move forms part of the Minister's aggressive push to reengage this large source market.

Tourism Workers Pension Scheme Pulls in $876 Million Since 2022

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Friday, July 28, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has urged delinquent employers in the tourism industry “to step up to the plate and honour their commitment to workers to match the 5 percent contribution” made by members of the Tourism Workers Pension Scheme (TWPS).

Minister Bartlett Leads Rebuilding Effort in Latin America to Boost Arrivals

Kingston, Jamaica; Thursday, July 27, 2023: In a bid to boost Jamaica’s share of the lucrative South American travel market, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has departed the island en route to three Latin American countries where he will engage critical tourism stakeholders during a weeklong visit to the region.

Tourism Can Aid Greatly in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

Kingston, Jamaica; Monday, July 17, 2023: The pivotal role of tourism as the lifeblood of many rural communities in Jamaica and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been outlined to a global audience by Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett. Minister Bartlett highlighted the importance of the sector in this regard while addressing participants at a special side event during the United Nations (UN) High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on sustainable development recently.

Minister Bartlett Travels to New York for High-Level UN Forum on Sustainable Development

Kingston, Jamaica; July 13, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett will be travelling to the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York City to attend a High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development. Minister Bartlett departs the island today, Thursday, July 13 and is expected to participate in the HLPF’s official side event on Economic, Social, and Environmental Sustainability in Tourism on Friday, July 14.