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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 Names Special Task Force to Boost Vaccination of Tourism Workers

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 19, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett has named a special task force to drive the process of vaccinating the island’s tourism workers, as part of efforts by the government to achieve herd immunity.

Strict Adherence to COVID-19 Protocols Key to Successful Return of Cruise

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 17, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett says safeguarding the health and safety of the citizens of Jamaica, as well as visitors, remains the top priority as the island welcomed the successful return of cruise operations yesterday (August 16).

Cruise Passengers Delighted to Visit Jamaica after ‘Two-Year Wait’

OCHO RIOS, Jamaica; August 17, 2021: “It’s totally awesome, been waiting two years for this,” admitted Terry Davis as he perused the Jamaican landscape with his partner, Katy Peale who added: “It’s just wonderful to be out, to travel, to see beautiful places again, be together with friends and family; have fun.”

Jamaica Welcomes 1 Millionth Visitor Since Start of COVID-19 Pandemic

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; August 16, 2021: It was a tear-jerking surprise for one JetBlue passenger and her family as Jamaica’s tourism industry marked a significant milestone of welcoming one million stopover visitors in just 13 months, in the midst of a pandemic.

Cruise Resumes: Carnival Sunrise Calls at Ocho Rios on Monday

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 13, 2021: Cruise operations will resume in Jamaica on Monday, August 16th, 2021. The Carnival Sunrise is scheduled to call at the Port of Ocho Rios and is the first cruise ship with international passengers to call at a Jamaican port since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will mark a major step in the phased reopening of Jamaica’s tourism sector, which has been adversely impacted by the global pandemic.

Minister Bartlett Urges Tourism Workers to get Vaccinated

KINGSTON, Jamaica; August 10, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has issued an impassioned appeal to unvaccinated tourism workers, including those in sub-sectors related to cruise shipping, to get vaccinated.

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