News Releases

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Monday, September 29, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has revealed that the Tourism Action Club (TAC) initiative in high schools and tertiary institutions locally is being leveraged as an important platform to foster human capital development in the tourism industry, especially in the areas of management and customer service. Minister Bartlett has underscored that TAC students have access to programmes offered through the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation (JCTI), and once successful, they are certified by the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) with an internationally recognised Associate Degree in Customer Service as well as the HEART/NSTA Sixth Form Pathway II Programme (SFP2P). The Minister made the announcement while addressing over 230 TAC members from some 24 clubs across the island, during the World Tourism Day 2025 Youth Forum at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Friday, September 26, 2025.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Thursday, September 25, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, today announced the establishment of a high-level Local First Task Force, a new strategic body that will spearhead efforts to build local capacity, strengthen linkages, and ensure that the benefits of tourism are more inclusively shared across the Jamaican economy. The announcement came during a one-day strategic pre-retreat meeting of the Ministry of Tourism’s heads of divisions and public bodies, where Minister Bartlett commended the senior team for their continued hard work and outlines the charge for the new term. “Jamaica is at a critical inflection point in tourism. With stopover arrivals nearly matching our population size, we must reconfigure to ensure that local stakeholders have the capacity and opportunity to thrive,” said Minister Bartlett.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Wednesday, September 24, 2025: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has announced plans to fuel major expansion in the island’s vibrant tourism sector as the Ministry of Tourism seeks to boost Jamaica’s share of the lucrative global tourism market. In a wide-ranging address to local and foreign media during a special Jamaica Product Exchange (JAPEX) 2025 media breakfast, at Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa yesterday (September 23), Minister Bartlett articulated the overall strategy to build on the successes of the industry to date, and plans now in train to achieve robust growth. Focus was placed on the critical areas of human capital development, boosting safety through destination assurance, expansion of the villa sector and enhancing the tourism product.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Tuesday, September 23, 2025: Jamaica has secured its position as the Caribbean’s most connected destination, achieving record-breaking global linkages while advancing an ambitious agenda for inclusive and sustainable tourism growth. With year-end arrivals projected at 4.5 million — comprising 3.1 million stopover visitors and 1.4 million cruise passengers — Jamaica now boasts direct connections to over 55 international gateways, strengthening its global reach and setting a new regional benchmark. This unprecedented connectivity is fuelling both visitor growth and broader economic development. “Jamaica’s rapid expansion in airlift is more than just a milestone for tourism; it’s a catalyst for national transformation,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett. “Our vision is clear — tourism must work for all Jamaicans. These investments are creating opportunities for small businesses, communities, and workers, ensuring the benefits of growth are shared equitably across the island,” he added.

KINGSTON, Jamaica; Monday, September 22, 2025: Jamaica’s tourism industry is entering a bold new era of record growth, global influence, and innovation as Hon. Edmund Bartlett begins his fourth term as Minister of Tourism. Joining him is Hon. Tova Hamilton, who steps into the role of State Minister, bringing new perspectives and energy to one of Jamaica’s most vital sectors. Minister Bartlett, Jamaica’s longest-serving tourism minister, having previously served from 2007–2012, 2016–2020, and 2020–2025, has overseen a period of unprecedented expansion. Since 2016, visitor arrivals have soared to historic highs, as in 2024 Jamaica welcomed some 2.9 million stopover visitors and 1.25 million cruise passengers, generating US$4.3 billion in earnings. These milestones have cemented tourism’s role as a cornerstone of the economy, directly benefiting local businesses and communities islandwide.

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.