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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 stands on stage at the JAPEX 2025 Welcome Reception held at the Harmony Beach Park on Sunday, September 21, 2025.

Minister Bartlett Outlines New Vision for Tourism Sector and Hails Former State Minister for Tourism, Hon. Delano Seiveright

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Monday, September 22, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that the island’s tourism sector is to be repositioned to ensure Jamaicans benefit from a greater share of the lucrative industry, while contributing to its growth over the next five years. Envisioning a renaissance of the sector, Minister Bartlett said the year ahead “is going to be a seminal year in which we are going to be seeing new approaches to tourism.” This revelation was made as he addressed the opening event for the Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) 2025 trade show at Harmony Beach Park Sunday night (September 21). The three-day event officially begins today at the Montego Bay Convention Centre with 160 buyers from across the major global tourism markets interfacing with Jamaican sellers of hotel rooms and attractions.

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett addresses hundreds of travel advisors at the 4th Annual American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), at Sandals South Coast, on Sunday, August 24, 2025.

Minister Bartlett Calls for Urgent Action to Tackle Regional Tourism Challenges

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Monday, August 25, 2025: With the Caribbean being the most tourism-reliant region worldwide, where the industry contributes some 22% of gross domestic product (GDP), and supports 2.75 million jobs, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett says factors that threaten the sustainability of the industry must be tackled urgently. At the same time, he is delighted that the region has been recovering from the disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and adverse weather conditions. He told hundreds of travel advisors yesterday (August 24) that: “In 2024, the region saw a strong tourism rebound, with a 6.1% increase in international tourist arrivals compared to 2023, reaching 34.2 million. This also represented a 6.9% increase over pre-pandemic levels in 2019.” To underscore the impact, he pointed out that the region suffered a 65% decline in visitor arrivals in 2020.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, announces that a "Local First" policy is coming that will require investors to partner with communities. He was speaking on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at an event celebrating the completion of the first phase of Vista Montego Bay Resort and the groundbreaking for phase two. The $100 million luxury mixed resort-style residential development is situated on Jimmy Cliff Boulevard.

"Local First" Policy to Guide Jamaica's Tourism Investments – Bartlett

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Thursday, August 14, 2025: As Jamaica’s pivot toward the luxury tourism market gains momentum, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett is reinforcing his strong commitment to a policy that ensures local communities directly benefit from these new developments. He expressed delight that the government has been attracting premium investments, with groundbreaking ceremonies for over US$3.5 billion in tourism developments in the last three months alone. While not disclosing specifics, he mentioned he had just finalized discussions on two more "mega billion-dollar investments."

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (centre) leads in the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, August 11, 2025. He is joined by (from left), Custos of St. James, Bishop Conrad Pitkin; Vice President, Moon Palace Resorts, Jamaica and Turks and Caicos Islands, Clifton Reader; Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Palace Resorts, Gibran Chapur; Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett and Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams.

Moon Palace The Grand Is “A Partnership Made in Heaven” - Bartlett

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Tuesday, August 12, 2025: With construction of Jamaica’s most elaborate resort development about to take off, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has hailed plans for the US$700 million, 1,200-room Moon Palace The Grand as “a partnership made in heaven.” Features of the development were given at yesterday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the 33-storey ultra-modern hotel by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Palace Resorts, Gibran Chapur. Upon completion, The Grand resort will employ 3,000 people to take care of 1,200 luxurious suites, including overwater bungalows, with more than 13 speciality restaurants, a unique waterpark and the largest spa in the country. According to Mr. Chapur, “It will set a new benchmark for hospitality in the Caribbean, while honouring the culture and spirit of Jamaica.”

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (right) participates in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the long-awaited US$1-billion Harmony Cove Development in Trelawny. Minister Bartlett shares a light moment with (from left) Minister of State, Ministry of Tourism, Senator the Hon. Delano Seiveright; Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill; Trelawny Northern MP, Tova Hamilton and Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang.

Harmony Cove Development Strong Vote of Confidence in Tourism Sector - Bartlett

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Thursday, July 24, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has hailed the move by investors to forge ahead with the long-awaited Harmony Cove Development in Trelawny, as a strong vote of confidence in Jamaica’s booming tourism sector. The US$1-billion project will provide world-class luxury accommodation with 1,000 rooms and a full-service casino, as well as a host of amenities, including a championship Tiger Woods-designed golf course, a Justin Timberlake-developed entertainment venue, and a wide array of beach and marine activities.

(HM Digicel) Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (right) gets a warm greeting from Chief Executive Officer of Digicel Jamaica, Stephen Murad on his arrival at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Friday, July 18, 2025 to address the Digicel Business Hospitality Event. At centre is Digicel’s Director of Government and Corporate Relations, and Chairman of the Digicel Foundation, Joy Clarke.

Technology a Crucial Tool in Transforming Tourism Sector - Bartlett

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Monday, July 21, 2025: As Jamaica braces for a significant increase in visitor arrivals over the next five years, Minister of Tourism Hon. Edmund Bartlett has given notice that embracing technology will be a key factor to the industry’s development. With global travel on target to double over the next five years, Minister Bartlett has pointed to the pivotal role of technology in the developmental process. “The new technology in aviation is creating a whole new opportunity for larger and more significantly competent and efficient equipment: bigger planes, flying higher, carrying more passengers, moving beyond the speed of sound, crossing waters zillions of miles within hours,” he advanced.

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