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PS in the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith (2nd right) engages in a lively discussion with Bishop Everton Lawrence of Faith Temple Assemblies of God (left), Junior Minister of Tourism and Montego Bay High School student, ThaeJadore Kerr (2nd left) and member of the Board of Directors for Jamaica Vacations (JAMVAC), Tricia-Ann Bicarie, following yesterday’s (September 27) Thanksgiving Church Service to mark World Tourism Day and kickstart Tourism Awareness Week 2026, which runs from Sept 27 – Oct 3.

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AI and Other Digital Technology Being Used to Transform Tourism Sector - Bartlett

Thanksgiving Church Service Kickstarts Tourism Awareness Week 2026 MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica; Monday, September 28, 2026: Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has stressed that artificial intelligence and other digital technology are being used to strategically transform Jamaica’s tourism sector. This as the Ministry of Tourism, its public bodies and industry stakeholders, joined global partners in marking the annual UN-Tourism backed World Tourism Day (WTD), with a thanksgiving church service yesterday (September 27). The service also officially kick-started Tourism Awareness Week (TAW) 2026, being observed from September 27 to October 3, under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” in keeping with the theme selected by UN Tourism for WTD. In a message read by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith, Minister Bartlett said the ministry was “actively leveraging AI and digital technology to modernise the sector through key initiatives such as real-time concierges, deploying multilingual digital concierges, and structured content to optimise visitor bookings, as well as predictive analytics.”

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Jamaica Wins Big At 2021 World Travel Awards

KINGSTON, Jamaica; October 19, 2021: Jamaica and several players in the local tourism industry have emerged big winners at this year’s prestigious World Travel Awards. The island was named the “Caribbean’s Leading Destination’ and ‘Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination,’ while the Jamaica Tourist Board was named the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board.’

Bartlett Takes Tourism Markets Thrust To UK, Middle East

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Sunday, October 17, 2021: Following his highly successful markets blitz in North America, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett left the island yesterday, accompanied by a high-level team to explore investment opportunities and trump up tourism travel to Jamaica from the United Kingdom (UK) and the Middle East.

TUI’s Return to Jamaica Will be a Game Changer

KINGSTON, Jamaica; October 9, 2021: Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett believes the planned return of TUI, the world's largest tourism company, to Jamaica will be a game changer for the tourism sector moving forward.

UK Lifts Travel Advisory Against All Non-Essential Travel to Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica; October 8, 2021: Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has welcomed news that the UK Government has lifted its advisory against all non-essential travel to Jamaica.

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.

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