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CEO of MBJ Airports Limited, Shane Munroe (2nd left) confidently reassured Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (3rd right) that the Sangster International Airport (SIA) is in full operation and ready for an anticipated busy winter tourist season when it opens on December 15, 2025. Sharing in the moment are (from left) Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Tourism, David Dobson; Jennifer Griffith, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Christopher Jarrett, JHTA President.

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Montego Bay on Target for Official December 15 Reopening - Bartlett

Tourism Sector Records Earnings of US$2.9 Billion Since January MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Wednesday, December 3, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett wrapped up a recent Tourism Recovery Tour of Montego Bay with news that despite the impact of Hurricane Melissa last month, the destination area is on target to officially reopen for business on December 15, 2025. The announcement comes as Minister Bartlett also revealed that since the start of 2025 the sector has recorded tourism earnings of US$2.9 billion. With the official reopening deadline fast approaching, Minister Bartlett said he expects that the year's total earnings should reach approximately US$3.5 billion. This outlook is strengthened by a recent UN Tourism report which indicates that global tourism arrivals had surpassed 1.1 billion at the end of September, 2025. The UN Tourism Barometer projects increased growth continuing at a rate of 3 to 5 percent.

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Recovery of Tourism Sector Still on Track Despite Crisis in Europe – Minister Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; February 28, 2022: While keeping a close eye on the global instability created by the war in Ukraine, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett is sounding a positive note for continued buoyancy in Jamaica’s tourism industry.

Minister Bartlett Laments the Passing of Tourism Stalwart ‘Pino’ Maffessanti

KINGSTON, Jamaica; February 26, 2022: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has paid tribute to the late Hon Guiseppe “Pino” Maffessanti, noting the outstanding role he has played in the physical development of Jamaica’s tourism product.

Collective Approach Needed To Overcome COVID-19 – Minister Bartlett

Dubai, UAE; February 18, 2022: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is calling for a more collective and inclusive approach among countries globally to overcome the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly in relation to vaccine access.

Jamaica Launches Global Tourism Resilience Day At EXPO2020 Dubai

Dubai, UAE; February 17, 2022: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, on Thursday (February 17) launched Global Tourism Resilience Day during EXPO2020 Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

GTRCMC Opens Taleb Rifai Centre in Jordan Driving Regional Recovery

AMMAN, February 20, 2022 Ministers of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett and Hon Najib Balala arrived in Amman to meet with Minister Al Fayez of Jordan to inaugurate the Global Tourism Resilience and Disaster Management Centre -MENA at Middle East University to be referred to as the Taleb Rifai Centre under the leadership of Professor Salam Almahadin, President of the University. The agreement was signed at a ceremony held on the University’s campus with all Ministers present and a large contingent of travel sector leaders. This is the sixth such satellite Centre to open, an initiative of its Co-Chairs, Edmund Bartlett and Dr. Rifai.

Bartlett to Meet With Travel Partners and Attend Global Tourism Events in the UAE

KINGSTON, Jamaica; February 14, 2022: Jamaica’s drive to secure a share of the lucrative tourism market in the Middle East, takes a key step forward today with Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett commencing a series of engagements with major decision makers and travel partners in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Minister Bartlett will follow up on investment and new market opportunities first broached while in the Middle East in October, 2021.

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