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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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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.

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Minister Bartlett (left) shares a quick photo with two participants in the Jamaica Bridal Expo 2025 held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre (MBCC) on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

Jamaica Going After Bigger Slice of US$368 Billion Wedding Market

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Tuesday, September 30, 2025: Promoting Jamaica as a ‘love destination,’ the Ministry of Tourism is seeking to increase the island’s share of the lucrative global wedding services market, which is projected to reach US$368 billion by 2030. With destination weddings comprising one of the fastest growing segments and increasing by 40% over the last five years, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett is looking to professional wedding planners for support stressing that “it is time for us to start positioning ourselves to secure a bigger share of that US$368 billion.” He wants weddings to double their current contribution to arrivals and earnings in Jamaica. Minister Bartlett outlined that Jamaica is targeting 8 million visitors by 2030 and being “confident that we are well positioned so to do..."

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (3rd left) engages in a brief discussion with Tourism Action Club members from Calabar High School on his arrival at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Friday, September 26, 2025 for the World Tourism Day 2025 Youth Forum. Sharing in the moment (left) is Director of Tourism, Donovan White.

Tourism Action Club Students Targeted for Human Capital Development

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Monday, September 29, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that the Tourism Action Club (TAC) initiative in high schools and tertiary institutions locally is being leveraged as an important platform to foster human capital development in the tourism industry, especially in the areas of management and customer service. Minister Bartlett has underscored that TAC students have access to programmes offered through the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation (JCTI), and once successful, they are certified by the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) with an internationally recognised Associate Degree in Customer Service as well as the HEART/NSTA Sixth Form Pathway II Programme (SFP2P). The Minister made the announcement while addressing over 230 TAC members from some 24 clubs across the island, during the World Tourism Day 2025 Youth Forum at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Friday, September 26, 2025.

Minister Bartlett (centre), Permanent Secretary Jennifer Griffith (left) and Minister State, Tova Hamilton (right), at a special pre-retreat meeting with senior executives from the Ministry and its public bodies at the Montego Bay Convention Centre (MBCC) on Thursday, September 25, 2025.

Bartlett Names Local First Task Force to Drive Inclusive Tourism Growth

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Thursday, September 25, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, today announced the establishment of a high-level Local First Task Force, a new strategic body that will spearhead efforts to build local capacity, strengthen linkages, and ensure that the benefits of tourism are more inclusively shared across the Jamaican economy. The announcement came during a one-day strategic pre-retreat meeting of the Ministry of Tourism’s heads of divisions and public bodies, where Minister Bartlett commended the senior team for their continued hard work and outlines the charge for the new term. “Jamaica is at a critical inflection point in tourism. With stopover arrivals nearly matching our population size, we must reconfigure to ensure that local stakeholders have the capacity and opportunity to thrive,” said Minister Bartlett.

Hon. Edmund Bartlett (centre) fields questions on Jamaica’s tourism industry from local and international journalists at a special Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) 2025 media breakfast, at Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa on Tuesday, September 23. He is flanked by (from left) Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Mrs. Jennifer Griffith (left) and newly minted Minister of State for Tourism, Hon. Tova Hamilton.

Minister Bartlett Outlines Plans for Major Tourism Expansion

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Wednesday, September 24, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced plans to fuel major expansion in the island’s vibrant tourism sector as the Ministry of Tourism seeks to boost Jamaica’s share of the lucrative global tourism market. In a wide-ranging address to local and foreign media during a special Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) 2025 media breakfast, at Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa yesterday (September 23), Minister Bartlett articulated the overall strategy to build on the successes of the industry to date, and plans now in train to achieve robust growth. Focus was placed on the critical areas of human capital development, boosting safety through destination assurance, expansion of the villa sector and enhancing the tourism product.

Minister Bartlett shoots at basketball at the hoop during his JAPEX 2025 trade floor walkthrough.

Jamaica Becomes Caribbean’s Most Connected Destination

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Tuesday, September 23, 2025: Jamaica has secured its position as the Caribbean’s most connected destination, achieving record-breaking global linkages while advancing an ambitious agenda for inclusive and sustainable tourism growth. With year-end arrivals projected at 4.5 million — comprising 3.1 million stopover visitors and 1.4 million cruise passengers — Jamaica now boasts direct connections to over 55 international gateways, strengthening its global reach and setting a new regional benchmark. This unprecedented connectivity is fuelling both visitor growth and broader economic development. “Jamaica’s rapid expansion in airlift is more than just a milestone for tourism; it’s a catalyst for national transformation,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett. “Our vision is clear — tourism must work for all Jamaicans. These investments are creating opportunities for small businesses, communities, and workers, ensuring the benefits of growth are shared equitably across the island,” he added.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left), newly minted Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Hon. Tova Hamilton (centre) and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith share a light moment as PS Griffith presented both ministers with a Transition Report.

Bartlett Returns to Lead Jamaica’s Tourism Amid Record Growth and Global Momentum

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Monday, September 22, 2025: Jamaica’s tourism industry is entering a bold new era of record growth, global influence, and innovation as Hon. Edmund Bartlett begins his fourth term as Minister of Tourism. Joining him is Hon. Tova Hamilton, who steps into the role of State Minister, bringing new perspectives and energy to one of Jamaica’s most vital sectors. Minister Bartlett, Jamaica’s longest-serving tourism minister, having previously served from 2007–2012, 2016–2020, and 2020–2025, has overseen a period of unprecedented expansion. Since 2016, visitor arrivals have soared to historic highs, as in 2024 Jamaica welcomed some 2.9 million stopover visitors and 1.25 million cruise passengers, generating US$4.3 billion in earnings. These milestones have cemented tourism’s role as a cornerstone of the economy, directly benefiting local businesses and communities islandwide.

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