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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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CDC Lowers Jamaica COVID-19 Travel Risk to Level Two Designation

KINGSTON, Jamaica; December 23, 2021: Jamaica has been downgraded from a Level 3 to a Level 2 designation by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in recognition of the country's efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 effectively. This new classification places the destination in a risk category lower than that of more than 70 per cent of countries worldwide.

Bartlett Makes Impassioned Plea To Protect Tourism

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Wednesday, December 22, 2021: Against the background of tourism being the backbone of the recovering Jamaican economy, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has made an impassioned plea for the protection of the industry.

Jamaica Wins Several Major Accolades at World Travel Awards Winners Day

KINGSTON, Jamaica; December 17, 2021: Jamaica secured several major accolades yesterday (December 16) during a special World Travel Awards Winners Day presentation in Dubai. Jamaica was named the 'World's Leading Cruise Destination,' 'World's Leading Family Destination,' and 'World's Leading Wedding Destination' for 2021 by the World Travel Awards, the global authority that recognizes and honours excellence in travel and tourism.

Bartlett Anticipates Strong Winter Tourist Season

KINGSTON, Jamaica; December 14, 2021: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett says data indicates that the island is set to have a strong Winter Tourist Season, with a steady inflow of tourists, which should enable the destination to end 2021 with an excellent showing of 1.6 million visitors and over US$2 billion in earnings.

Post-COVID-19 Travellers will Opt for Sustainable Destinations

KINGSTON, Jamaica; December 13, 2021: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett says current trends indicate that post-COVID-19 international travellers will prefer "sustainable" destinations, making this pandemic an opportunity for global leaders to transition their tourism industries by creating policies that balance economic growth with social and environmental concerns.

Tourism Workers Pension Scheme Set to Start on January 1, 2022

FALMOUTH, Jamaica; December 10, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has revealed that the much-anticipated Tourism Workers Pension Scheme will be introduced on January 1, 2022. Legislation giving effect to the scheme was approved by Parliament some two years ago, but implementation was delayed with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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