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

Jamaica Seeks To Regain South American Visitor Market

Kingston, Jamaica; Saturday, July 1, 2023: Jamaica has set its sights on regaining its share of the South American visitor market.

St. Thomas Being Positioned as the Next Frontier for Tourism Development in Jamaica

Kingston, Jamaica; Friday, June 30, 2023: The parish of St. Thomas is set to experience a rapid transformation of its tourism product with the surge of new developments on the way. Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett reinforced this while addressing residents in Hillside during the recently concluded islandwide Destination Assurance tour. Minister Bartlett stressed that once key pieces of infrastructure like the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP) and the new Morant Bay Urban Centre are in place, investments will begin to flow into the eastern parish.

Jamaica Elected to Serve on UNWTO Executive Council

Quito, Ecuador; Wednesday, June 28, 2023: Jamaica has been elected to serve on the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) Executive Council for 2023-2027 alongside Colombia. The decision was made during the 68th UNWTO Commission for the Americas Meeting (CAM) currently underway in Quito, Ecuador.

Plans to Develop Ken Wright Cruise Ship Pier on the Heels of Impressive Winter Season

Kingston, Jamaica; Wednesday, June 28, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has indicated that discussions are underway for further development of the Ken Wright Cruise Ship Pier in Port Antonio, Portland. The pier experienced its busiest winter season with the arrival of 12 cruise ships, carrying over 5000 visitors and on average 43 yachts arriving per month including several mega yachts, last winter.

Bartlett Travels to Ecuador for UNWTO Commission for the Americas Meeting

Kingston, Jamaica; Monday, June 26, 2023: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett departed the island over the weekend to join regional representatives at the 68th World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Regional Commission for the Americas Meeting (CAM) & Seminar On Sustainable Investments being held in Ecuador’s capital city Quito from Tuesday, June 27 to Wednesday, June 28.

JCTI and HEART/NSTA Trust to Collaborate on Job Readiness Programme for Tourism

Kingston, Jamaica; Friday, June 23, 2023: With the tourism sector grappling with staffing challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) is proposing a strategy for attracting new recruits and preparing them for available jobs in the tourism industry.

Contact Information

64 Knutsford Boulevard,
Kingston 5, Jamaica

(876) 920-4926-30

info@mot.gov.jm