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Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, (1st L) shares a moment with (L-R) Angella Bennett, Regional Director, Canada, Edna Ray, Senior Manger Regional Sales at Air Canada, Dr. Lois Stewart Archer, Hon Consul of Jamaica for Winnipeg and Donovan White, Director of Tourism following a successful Destination Update seminar with Travel Advisors on Wednesday October 28, 2026.

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Jamaica Nears 3 Million Visitors One Year After Hurricane Melissa, Signalling Resilience of Tourism Sector

Bartlett – ‘Melissa tested our strength, but it has not reduced the world’s desire to experience Jamaica’ KINGSTON, Jamaica; Monday November 2, 2026; One year after Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica, the island’s tourism sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience, with visitor arrivals approaching three million and international demand continuing to support the sector’s recovery. The projected milestone underscores the enduring strength of Brand Jamaica and the determination of tourism workers and stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to restore the sector. Jamaica welcomed 2.34 million visitors between January and August 2026, generating US$2.5 billion in tourism earnings, according to figures released by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). The performance was achieved while the island continued to operate with reduced hotel room capacity as properties repaired, renovated and upgraded their facilities following the storm.

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Over 1 Million Airline Seats Secured for Winter Out of US Gateways

Kingston, Jamaica; Thursday, November 30, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, today announced that a record 1.05 million airline seats have been secured from nearly six thousand flights coming into Jamaica out of the United States, during the upcoming winter season.

Minister Bartlett En Route to Paris for 173rd BIE General Assembly

Kingston, Jamaica; Monday, November 27, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is set to represent Jamaica at the much anticipated 173rd General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) in Paris, France. The BIE is the Intergovernmental Organization overseeing and regulating international exhibitions lasting more than three weeks, including World Expos, Specialized Expos, Horticultural Expos, and the Triennale di Milano.

Tourism Diplomacy a Gateway to Sustainable Investments

Kingston, Jamaica; Monday, November 20, 2023: As Jamaica continues its robust economic recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has again emphasized the importance of tourism diplomacy as a key driver in boosting investment in Jamaica’s tourism product and attracting sustainable growth opportunities to the country. Minister Bartlett made the disclosure following the recent inaugural CARICOM-Saudi Arabia Summit in Riyadh, where he played a pivotal role in leading discussions around resilience building and sustainability.

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (c) greets the Chief Executive Officer of Lopesan Group, Francisco Lopez (3rd r) at the Jamaica Stand, World Travel Market in London, UK, yesterday. He is joined by Senior Advisor and Strategist, Delano Seiveright (2nd r); Director General of the Lopesan Hotel Division, Jose Alba (r); President of LS Invest AG (IFA Hotels), Santiago de Armas (3rd l); CEO of the Hospiten Group, Pedro Luis Cobiella Beauvais (l) and another Spanish private sector executive (2nd l).

Lopesan to Develop 1000-Room Mega Resort in Jamaica

LONDON, United Kingdom; Wednesday, November 8, 2023: A major international hotel group, Lopesan, with over 17,000 hotel rooms across Europe, Asia and the Caribbean, called on Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett and his team yesterday (November 7) at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London, United Kingdom, to announce that they are urgently seeking to develop a 1,000-room luxury resort on the island.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (standing) noted that the future of the travel and tourism industry relies on its workers and their ability to innovate and create new ideas. He was speaking at the World Travel Market's Ministers' Summit in London yesterday (November 6). WTM London is recognized as the most influential travel and tourism gathering globally.

Human Capital Development Critical to the Future of Tourism

LONDON, United Kingdom; Tuesday, November 7, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett is urging destinations to invest in their human capital development, which will be critical to the industry's future. Speaking at the World Travel Market's Ministers' Summit in London yesterday (November 6), Minister Bartlett highlighted that the future of the industry relies on its workers and their ability to innovate and create new ideas.

Speaking at an exclusive media event held at the Jamaica stand at World Travel Market (WTM) yesterday in London, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett noted that Jamaica is targeting 250,000 visitors out of the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland by 2025. WTM London is one of the world’s largest tourism trade shows and has attracted some 5,000 exhibitors from 182 countries and regions and more than 51,000 participants.

Jamaica Targets 250,000 UK & Ireland Visitors by 2025

LONDON, United Kingdom; Tuesday, November 7, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has set a new target to welcome 250,000 visitors out of the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland by 2025. This follows on the heels of Jamaica being the number one Caribbean destination among UK visitors last year.

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