Government of Jamaica

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News Releases

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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Ryan Parkes Named New TEF Chairman

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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Minister Bartlett Welcomes Resurgence of Villas Sub-Sector

DISCOVERY BAY, St Ann, Jamaica; March 20, 2023: With the local hotel room-stock set to grow by 20,000 new rooms over the next five to ten years, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has welcomed a resurgence of the villas sub-sector.
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Bartlett Receives Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award in Germany

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Wednesday, March 8, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, was today honoured with a “Lifetime Achievement Award For Promotion of Sustainable Travel & Tourism” by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) International Travel Awards. The coveted award was presented to Minister Bartlett at the PATWA World Tourism & Aviation Leaders’ Summit at ITB Berlin in Germany.
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Minister Bartlett to Play Key Role in Global ITB Tourism Convention

Kingston, Jamaica; Monday, March 6, 2023: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett continues his quest of ensuring that Destination Jamaica and the tourism sector remain top of mind in international fora with his departure on Sunday to be a key participant in the much anticipated ITB Berlin Convention, now underway in Germany.
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Bartlett Emphasizes Workforce Innovation as Vital to Post-COVID-19 Industry Success

KINGSTON, Jamaica; March 06, 2023: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett says the tourism industry has undergone a significant transformation in the wake of COVID-19 and that its future success now depends on the ability of its workforce to create innovative and distinctive experiences.
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Jamaica Welcomes New Non-Stop Frontier Service From Three Gateways

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA, Feb. 27, 2023 – Continuing to expand gateways and ease of access to the island for US travelers, Jamaica welcomed new nonstop air service from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ) with Frontier Airlines. In keeping with Jamaica’s warm island culture, the inaugural flight was celebrated with traditional festivities upon departure from the airport and arrival to the island.
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Bartlett Calls on Tourism Stakeholders to Protect Valuable Blue Economy

Kingston, Jamaica; Tuesday, February 28, 2023: Recognizing the tremendous contribution of the ocean to tourism development, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has called on global tourism stakeholders to play a leading role in adopting and encouraging more sustainable values, attitudes and practices that will promote healthy ocean and marine systems.
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