Government of Jamaica

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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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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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Bartlett Elected New Chair of OAS Inter-American Committee on Tourism

KINGSTON, Jamaica; December 1, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett was elected by acclamation as the new Chairman of the esteemed Organization of American States (OAS) Inter-American Committee on Tourism (CITUR), during a meeting of the Integral Council for Development (CIDI) yesterday.

JCTI’s Successful Partnership with AHLEI to be Documented in Case Study

KINGSTON, Jamaica; December 1, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), a vital partner of the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI), has agreed to publish a special training case study focusing on Jamaica. The decision was made because, since the partnership began four years ago, over 8,000 Jamaican tourism workers have received professional certification.

Bartlett Welcomes the Return of Cruise to Montego Bay

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 30, 2021: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett has emphasised that Jamaica’s tourism sector will cross a major threshold in its recovery tomorrow (December 1) with the Montego Bay Cruise Port set to welcome its first cruise ship since the re-opening of the local cruise industry.

Minister Bartlett to Participate in UNWTO General Assembly

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 29, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett departed the island yesterday to attend the twenty-fourth session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly, which will take place in Madrid, Spain, from November 30 to December 3, 2021.

Jamaica Targets 3 million Cruise Visitors by 2025

KINGSTON, Jamaica; November 25, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that in a bid to boost the tourism sector, Jamaica will be targetting three million cruise ship visitors by 2025.

47 Flights in One Day for Montego Bay

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Monday, November 22, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has welcomed an increasing show of confidence by international travellers in Jamaica as a safe vacation destination.