Government of Jamaica

News Releases

News Releases

Featured News Releases

Sunset at the Palms Resort Secures Fourth Place in USA Today Ranking MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Thursday, January 8, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has lauded the achievement of S Hotel Montego Bay on being named the Best All-inclusive Caribbean Resort for 2026 by USA Today Readers’ Choice 10 Best Awards. Minister Bartlett has also commended Sunset at the Palms Resort, Negril on securing fourth place in the same USA Today ranking. Minister Bartlett said “this is a tremendous accomplishment and welcome news as the tourism sector recovers following the passage of hurricane Melissa. To be able to remain top of mind among travellers and secure such prestigious accolades is proof of the resilience of our local properties, including S Hotel Montego Bay and Sunset at the Palms, and their continued commitment to always providing excellent service regardless of the circumstances.”

All News Releases

Vaccine Inequity Could Hinder Global Recovery

KINGSTON; Jamaica; October 7, 2021: Tourism Minister Hon. Edmund Bartlett has underscored that increased global access to COVID-19 vaccines is the key to a broad-based tourism and global economic resurgence. This, as he lamented the negative impact of vaccine inequity, which he says could hamper global recovery.

Bartlett Confirms Over 50 Flights Per Week Between Canada and Jamaica

Toronto, Canada; October 4, 2021: Senior Executives of Canada’s largest airlines have confirmed with Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett and his senior officials a combined total of over 50 nonstop flights per week between Canada and Jamaica starting November 1, as Jamaica’s second largest market for tourists steadily rebounds after over a year and a half in the doldrums due to the COVID-19 pandemic and stringent Canadian government-imposed travel restrictions. The flights will be operated by Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing, Swoop and Transat with nonstop services from the Canadian cities of Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Edmonton, St. John, Ottawa, Moncton and Halifax.

Royal Caribbean Cruises to Return to Jamaica in November 2021

Miami, Florida, USA; September 30, 2021: Royal Caribbean International, the second largest cruise line in the world, through their senior leadership team informed Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett in Miami, Florida this week that they will resume limited operations to Jamaica in November of this year. The senior executives added that once a number of logistical matters – some of which are outside Jamaica’s remit - are effectively resolved they will be in a position to significantly boost cruises to Jamaica, bringing in tens of thousands of fully vaccinated cruise visitors. The Senior Executives also reiterated their very strong desire to employ thousands of Jamaicans across a wide range of job functions and are awaiting government’s regulatory amendments to make it a reality.

Carnival Commits to at Least 110 Calls to Jamaica up to April 2022

Miami, Florida, USA; September 29, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise line, has committed to sending 110 or more cruises, by its various brands, to the island between October 2021 and April 2022. The agreement is contingent on Jamaican authorities and Carnival continuing to work closely on logistics and public health issues.

Up To 17 Flights A Day into Jamaica as American Airlines Sees Higher Demand

Dallas, Texas, USA; September 24, 2021: Executives of the world’s largest airline - American Airlines - told Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett and other senior Jamaican tourism officials in a meeting Thursday at their global headquarters in Dallas, Texas that the island nation will by December see as much as 17 nonstop flights per day, as demand for the destination rises.

Tourism Awareness Week to Focus on ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’

KINGSTON, Jamaica; September 23, 2021: The Ministry of Tourism, its public bodies and tourism partners, including the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), will be highlighting the important role tourism plays in fostering inclusion and economic growth as they observe Tourism Awareness Week (TAW) 2021.