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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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 Return of Reggae Sumfest

KINGSTON, Jamaica; May 20, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has welcomed the return of Jamaica’s premier music festival, Reggae Sumfest to the island’s calendar of events.

Preparations for World Free Zones Conference in High Gear – Bartlett

Dubai, UAE; May 15, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (right) and Chairman of the World Free Zones Organization (WFZO), H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, discuss logistics for the Caribbean's first World Free Zones Organization Annual International Conference and Exhibition (AICE), which will be hosted by Jamaica from June 13-17, 2022, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.

Emirates Airlines Now Selling Seats to Jamaica

DUBAI, UAE; May 10, 2022: In a historic first for Jamaica and the Caribbean, Emirates Airlines, the largest airline in the Gulf Coast Countries (GCC), is now selling seats to Jamaica. This arrangement opens gateways from the Middle East, Asia and Africa to Jamaica and the rest of the region.

Place People at the Heart of Sustainable Tourism Recovery - Bartlett

New York, USA; May 4, 2022: In his first address at the United Nations General Assembly today (May 4), Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett urged global tourism leaders to take decisive steps to ensure that people remain at the heart of tourism recovery globally.

Minister Bartlett Inducted into Global Travel Hall of Fame

KINGSTON, Jamaica; April 29, 2022: Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett yesterday (April 28) joined an esteemed group of high achievers in the international travel and hospitality industry, with his induction into the prestigious Global Travel Hall of Fame.

Minister Bartlett Visits the UK on First leg of Mega Marketing Blitz

KINGSTON, Jamaica; April 22, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett and a high-level team are scheduled to arrive in London tomorrow (Saturday), which marks the start of a mega marketing tour to further boost growth in the island’s tourism industry.