Government of Jamaica

News Releases

News Releases

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (2nd right) engages in a vibrant discussion with (from left) Heidi Clarke, Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, Dr. Kerry-Ann McKenzie, Consultant Pediatrician at the Falmouth Public General Hospital and Karen Zacca, Operations Director at the Sandals Foundation, following Tuesday’s (August 11) launch of Island Challenge Jamaica held at the AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston.

Featured News Releases

Bartlett Calls for Redefinition of Tourism CSR in Jamaica

Tourism Minister urges businesses to embed community development in their operations as Sandals Foundation brings Island Challenge home KINGSTON, Jamaica; Friday, August 14, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is calling for a fundamental redefinition of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Jamaica’s tourism industry, urging businesses to move beyond charitable giving and become more deeply embedded in the development and resilience of the communities in which they operate. Minister Bartlett made the call on Tuesday (August 11) while delivering the main address at the launch of the Sandals Foundation Island Challenge Jamaica 2026, under the theme “Tourism Doing Good,” at the AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston. The four-day endurance event, scheduled for October 2–5, will take approximately 30 UK athletes, along with local and international partners, on a route spanning Trelawny, St. Ann, St. Mary and St. Andrew. Participants will run, kayak, trek and hike across Jamaica’s landscapes while seeking to raise £100,000 to strengthen neonatal and paediatric healthcare services, including at the Falmouth Public General Hospital.
Continue Reading

All News Releases

Minister Bartlett to Participate in CTM Public-Private Panel Discussion

KINGSTON, Jamaica; October 3, 2022: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett will today (October 3) join other Caribbean Ministers of Tourism and key industry players from the region in a private-public partnership panel to discuss intra-Caribbean air connectivity, multi-destination marketing, and public policies for labour and employment, among other industry business matters. The panel discussion is one of the signature events of the 40th edition of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace, being held from October 3-5 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Continue Reading

Tourism Innovation Incubator to Support Jamaican Innovators

Kingston, Jamaica; September 30, 2022: Jamaica’s tourism sector is set to benefit from an injection of fresh innovative ideas for products and services through the introduction of the much-anticipated Tourism Innovation Incubator, which was launched by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) today (September 30).
Continue Reading

TAW Youth Forum Points Youths to Opportunities in Tourism

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; September 29, 2022: Secondary and tertiary level students from across the island received well needed information on the many opportunities available in the tourism sector during an engaging Tourism Awareness Week Youth Forum, held yesterday (September 28) at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St. James. Many voiced their support for tourism and have indicated their desire to become more involved in the process of - “Rethinking Tourism,” which is the theme for the week.
Continue Reading

Minister Bartlett Endorses Prime Minister’s Call for Global Tourism Resilience Day

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 23, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has endorsed the global call made by Prime Minister The Most Hon. Andrew Holness for the official designation of February 17 as Global Tourism Resilience Day annually.
Continue Reading

Tourism Awareness Week 2022 to Focus on Rethinking Tourism

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 21, 2022: The Ministry of Tourism, its public bodies and industry partners will highlight the importance of the sector to economic development and invite stakeholders to rethink how they approach tourism in a post-COVID-19 pandemic world, through the observance of Tourism Awareness Week (TAW) 2022, from September 25 – October 1.
Continue Reading

Minister Bartlett to Participate in High-Level Tourism Engagements in Japan

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 19, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has been invited to participate in the much-anticipated Tourism EXPO Japan 2022 tradeshow, where he will seek to facilitate crucial discussions as part of efforts to tap into the Asian market.
Continue Reading