Government of Jamaica

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Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (second right) leads a unifying group handshake with (from left) Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith, outgoing Chairman of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Hon. Godfrey Dyer and incoming TEF Chairman, Ryan Parkes at the Ministry’s One-day Strategic Visioning Retreat held last Wednesday at the AC Marriott Hotel.

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Minister Bartlett Salutes Godfrey Dyer’s 14 Years of Exemplary Service KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, April 30, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has named Ryan Parkes, Group Chief Executive Officer of Island Car Rentals and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Tourism Workers Pension Scheme (TWPS), as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), effective May 1, 2026. The appointment, recently approved by Cabinet, was announced at the Ministry’s One-day Strategic Visioning Retreat held on April 22 at the AC Marriott Hotel. In making the announcement, Minister Bartlett also paid tribute to the outgoing TEF Chairman, Hon. Godfrey Dyer, whose 14-year tenure at the helm of the TEF represents the longest record of chairmanship in the fund’s history and one of the longest across government.

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Bartlett Eyes Stronger Jamaica-Africa Relations

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Tuesday, April 4, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has reiterated his commitment to strengthening relations between the Caribbean and Africa. “The Caribbean has a golden opportunity to work together in this new mode of ‘co-petion’ that is driving the way forward for tourism collaboration. And the opportunity to become the bridgehead for Africa to the markets of the Americas looms greatly,” the tourism minister stated.

Bartlett to Participate in African Tourism Investment Summit

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Monday, April 3, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett will today (April 3) join government ministers, finance executives and administrators from South Africa, Botswana, Spain and Sierra Leone on a Ministerial Roundtable titled: “Developing a Sustainable Tourism Industry in Africa by Integrating Cultural, Environment, Good Governance and Social Concerns”. The roundtable is one of the highlights of the African Tourism Investment Summit being held from April 3-5, 2023, in Cape Town, South Africa, under the theme: “Revitalizing Investment in Sustainable Tourism on the African Continent”.

Bartlett Calls for Public Order in Public Spaces

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Monday, April 3, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has thrown down the gauntlet against disorderly behaviour, especially in resort areas. “I want to say very loudly that Destination Assurance is fully predicated on public order. And the Ministry of Tourism and the tourism sector stand squarely behind the Ministry of National Security to secure and ensure public order in the public spaces of Jamaica,” he declared.

Destination Assurance Key to Tourism Success – Bartlett

NEGRIL, Hanover, Monday, March 27, 2023: The Ministry of Tourism has begun national public consultations ahead of presenting its Destination Assurance Framework and Strategy (DAFS) to Parliament for approval as a White Paper.

Kingston Cops Award for Best Creative Destination for 2023

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Friday, March 24, 2023: Jamaica's vibrant cultural capital, Kingston, beat out 152 entrants from 28 nations to be selected Best Creative Destination for 2023 by the jury of the 9th Creative Tourism Awards.

Bartlett Presents PM Holness' Vision & Plans for Negril

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Saturday, March 24, 2023: Both the Hanover parish capital, Lucea, and the popular resort of Negril are being earmarked for major development to enhance them as tourist towns.